Players from all three area football teams can’t wait to lace up their cleats and play under the lights for the first time in nine months. But Durant may have more fun than any other team with its preseason matchup, which will draw a familiar foe.
The Cougars are set to host the Brandon Eagles, with whom the home team isn’t far removed from battling for district gold.
“It’s going to be a great matchup,” Durant head coach Mike Gottman says. “Two good football teams. I’m excited about it.”
Gottman enjoys coaching against Brandon because the Eagles, like his Cougars, don’t shy from physical play. Brandon posted a 9-3 (4-1 district) record last season, which could have given it the district championship if it didn’t have to coexist with Armwood. Like the Cougars, the Eagles used a run-heavy offense in 2015, which saw six different running backs score touchdowns.
Unlike the Cougars, though, Brandon did not have solid quarterback play. None of the three quarterbacks the team used threw more touchdowns than interceptions, nor did they complete more than 50% of their pass attempts.
The defense had four players record more than 80 total tackles and two who posted over 120. Of that duo, outside linebacker Dakota Trice, who led the team with 130 total tackles (72 solo, 58 assisted), will be back for his senior season.
Leading running back Jordan Chavers, who finished 2015 with 616 yards and nine touchdowns, will be back for his senior season. But the team lost leading wideouts Ryan Sass and B.J. Cole, as well as quarterback Isaiah Alexander.
The team lists sophomore Barry Wyche and junior Harry Kanu as quarterbacks for this year, but neither took a snap at the varsity level last season.
Still, Gottman and the Cougars are not taking the team lightly.
“Every year is a new year,” he says. “I do know that they graduated quite a few guys, so it’s hard to really get out there and see what they’re trying to do, see what their emphasis is. They’ll be good — they’re always good.”
The last time the two schools played — also in the preseason — was 2015, when the Cougars went to Brandon and took a 17-13 loss.
“I think we had four or five turnovers, so we’d like to clean that up a little bit and stay away from negative plays,” Gottman says. “I think we fumbled twice, going in. But it was a good warm-up game for us.”
This year, Durant will have the home field advantage. It also has the advantage of returning many key players. Quarterback Carlton Potter, who transitioned smoothly from JV to varsity in 2015, is back. Wideout Brandon Myers and his brother, running back Cameron Myers, are back. Tight end Steven Witchoskey, a solid blocker and pass catcher, is back. Mike linebacker Jake Ross, who led the stop unit with 92 tackles, is back.
Durant does suffer a blow with the loss of leading defensive back Jaden Garrett, so the staff is hoping this game will help it determine who will fill that void this season. Tonight, Tristan Hodge will start in Garrett’s place.
“Let’s focus, let’s get ready to play and let’s be successful Friday night,” Gottman says.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
RON'S ROCK
Something new at Durant’s football field isn’t technically new.
Cougar fans will notice the big rock near the field house. It’s more than just a big rock somebody dropped there overnight: it’s a memorial to founding principal Ron Frost. Head coach Mike Gottman opted to move it this season so it would be more visible than it was near the softball area.
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Gottman wants the team to adopt Clemson University’s pre-game tradition of running down the tunnel and touching Howard’s Rock before taking the field. Of course, Durant’s version will look a little different, but the Tigers were the direct inspiration for the idea.
Gottman is also hoping to get in touch with surviving members of Frost’s family so the team can host a dedication ceremony during the Friday, Sept. 9, home game against Newsome.
“It’s just something fans can see, and we can do it more justice by touching the rock and showing respect and tribute to Ron Frost, who opened up the school,” he says.
THE OTHER GUYS
Plant City at Riverview
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 11311 Boyette Road, Riverview
Jesuit at Strawberry Crest
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: 4691 Gallagher Road, Dover