The Cougars have a chance to seize control of the district at home.
In 2016, the Durant-Tampa Bay Tech stakes were cut-and-dry: winner takes the 7A-District 9 title and playoff high seed, loser takes the runner-up spot and low seed. Tech won, Durant lost and both went home knowing the playoffs were in their future.
This year, thanks to the FHSAA’s new playoff points system, it’s not as easy to lose a game like this.
There’s no “easy” way for Durant to get back to the playoffs now. Winning the district is far easier said that done, between Tech tonight and, if it beats Plant City, Bloomingdale looming on next week’s horizon. If Durant doesn’t win the district, the goal would be to win out and try to make the cut on total points.
But does Durant have a better shot at winning the 7A-9 title now than it did last year?
Offensively, it’s easy to say the Cougars are better off this time around. The proof is in the pudding — Durant’s run-heavy offense has only been bested once, against East Bay, and in the ensuing two games it’s totaled 892 yards and 13 touchdowns. This will be the most potent rushing attack Tech will have faced since it lost to Armwood, when the Titans let Brian Snead and the Hawks put up 255 yards and three touchdowns. The combination of Cameron Myers, David Tabakovic and the Durant offensive line could pose problems for Tech’s defense.
It also helps that quarterback Carlton Potter will play this time around. A shoulder injury forced Potter to sit the 2016 title game out and hand the reins to Maverick Carter for the night. Potter isn’t asked to throw too many passes but he doesn’t often turn the ball over — he’s thrown just two interceptions this season.
Defensively, it’s not as clear. While it’s true Durant is a one-loss team that has shut down most offenses it’s faced, the defense allowed Braxton Plunk and the Plant City Raiders to throw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns in last Friday’s win. Led by star quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Tech’s offense is also built around the aerial attack and has no shortage of playmakers. The Cougars will once again have their paws full.
Head coach Mike Gottman has always stressed the importance of fundamentals and ball security at Durant practices. That’s because, when the Cougars aren’t living up to expectations there, they’ll get outcomes like that of last year’s 7A-9 title game. The Titans forced five turnovers — including four on offense — en route to a 27-7 victory at Cougar Path that left many Durant fans wondering what could have been.
Tech does have a new wrinkle to its offense this time around. In Plant City transfer Treshaun Ward, the Titans now have the lead running back it lacked in 2016. Though Ward isn’t putting together a big-time stat line like he did with the Raiders in 2016, he leads the team with 433 rushing yards and is averaging over six yards per touch.
If Durant can slow Penix and Ward down, the team that upset Jesuit on the road is likely to stand a chance against the reigning 7A-9 champs. This time, the Cougars just have to make sure they don’t fumble away any opportunities they get.
