Preseason
August 16: Durant vs. East Bay
The Cougars will meet their former head coach Mike Gottman and his team, who finished their season last year undefeated in district play and 8-3 overall, including making it to the district playoffs. A win for the Cougars in this non-district matchup won’t help their district playoff rankings, but it would have the potential to set the tone for the season.
August 16: Plant City @ Lakeland
Setting his sights high, head coach Terrence Hicks scheduled the Raiders against the Dreadnaughts with the hopes of proving that his team can compete with the best. The back-to-back state champion Dreadnaughts are a bold choice for a season opener, but the Raiders will take the opportunity to show what they’re made of in this non-district game.
Regular Season
August 30: Durant vs. Plant City
This year’s Redman Cup will see the Cougars put forth a team effort to recapture the title – and bragging rights – after a hard-fought 17-14 loss last season. This Plant City classic is sure to excite every year, no matter what either team brings to the table. But this year, they’ll be bringing their A-game after both being extremely competitive in last year’s postseason.
September 13:
Durant @ Armwood
Historically, Armwood High School has been a tough competitor for any team they faced, and last year was no different. After a definitive victory against Tampa Bay Tech in the regular season, the two met again in the postseason, when Tampa Bay Tech came away with just a five-point win. This matchup marks the return of Armwood to the Cougars’ schedule, from which the Hawks were absent last season.
September 13: Strawberry Crest vs. Alonso
The Chargers’ first district opponent of the season is Alonso High School. After a hard-fought 34-30 loss to the Ravens in the 2023 season, winning this contest this year would help boost the Chargers’ district rankings and secure a spot in the playoffs.
September 27: Plant City vs.
Sumner
A dominant Sumner Stingrays team finished 11-2 last season, including a district playoff win against Durant. In the regular season, Durant managed a 28-27 win against Sumner, but the Raiders didn’t meet the Stingrays all season. This year, though, they’ll go head-to-head in a regular-season district game, which, if last season is any indicator, could possibly set the stage for a rematch later in the postseason.
September 27: Strawberry Crest @ Newsome
This season marks the appearance of a new opponent on the Chargers’ schedule – Newsome High School. Head coach Phillip Prior is excited for each new matchup for Strawberry Crest. Marked as a district opponent, a win against Newsome could prove pivotal for the Chargers this year.
October 4: Durant vs. Newsome
Last year, the Cougars took a 28-13 win in the fabled Alafia River Rivalry. The Cougars are currently back-to-back rivalry champions, after defeating the Wolves in 2022 for the first time since 2014. This non-district competition won’t affect the district playoffs, but it will affect who gets bragging rights – those north or south of the Alafia River.
October 27: Plant City @ Strawberry Crest
In 2022, Strawberry Crest came out with a 14-6 win in this Plant City rivalry matchup, but the Raiders showed up and walked away with a 57-20 victory. More than just bragging rights are on the line in this district matchup, which could ultimately help set the playoff bracket.
