No. 5 Osceola Kowboys (4-0) at No. 13 Heritage Panthers (3-0)

When: Friday, 7:30pm

Where: Heritage High, Palm Bay (2351 Malabar Road NW)

TV: BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: Osceola – Doug Nichols (7th, 69-16); Heritage – Mark Ainsley (3rd, 20-7)

About the matchup: A pair of undefeated teams are ready for a midseason test in the BHSN Game of the Week.

Osceola, the No. 2 team in the latest 8A rankings, is averaging more than 40 points per game and has already racked up 1,576 yards on the ground. Junior Malcolm Davidson is the Kowboys leading rusher with 46 carries, 436 yards and five touchdowns. Davidson enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, eclipsing 1,200 yards last year during Osceola’s run to the 8A state championship game. Quarterback Braxton Jones (20 car, 286, 3 TD), fullbacks Tayquan Pinellas (37 car, 179 yds, 5 TD) and Jakobe Thomas (30 car, 309 yds, 3 TD) and running back Da’Nas Pinellas (16 car, 111 yds, TD) are all major factors in the run game. Sophomore Kiante Harrison is the leading tackler for the Kowboys with 33 stops. The Kowboys defensive line, anchored by Jordan Redmond and Mario Kendricks, is among the best in the entire area.

Heritage has played in a series of close games early in the season. The Panthers used late touchdowns to get past Merritt Island (28-21) in the opener and Eau Gallie (13-7) last week. Heritage’s early success is impressive given the youth on the roster – the Panthers are starting four freshmen and four sophomores. One of the 10th graders is quarterback Willie Gaines, who has thrown for nearly 500 yards and is also Heritage’s leading rusher. He has 284 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Senior Avery Oates (29 car, 176 yds, TD), sophomores Nate Wright (13 car, 54 yd, 2 TD) and Jaquan Martin (13 car, 54 yd) along with freshman Amarion Gaines (15 car, 78 yd, TD) all factor in to the run game. Wide receiver Brian Nieves threw the game winning touchdown against Merritt Island and caught the game winning score last week against Eau Gallie. Defensively, linebacker Matt Allaire figures to be around the ball a lot. He already has 40 tackles this season after recording 125 last year.

Three and out:

1. Among 5A-8A schools, Osceola and Miami Central are the only teams to advance to at least the state semifinals four consecutive seasons.

2. Heritage beat Osceola 34-14 in the first ever meeting between the teams last year. It was the only regular season loss for the Kowboys.

3. Heritage opened in 2009 and has quickly staked their claim as one of Brevard County’s top programs with four consecutive playoff appearances.