For the first time since the school opened in 1995, the Durant High football team is a perfect 10-0 in the regular season.
The Cougars finished off their first undefeated regular season Friday night with a 31-0 shutout win over King.
“It’s something that we’ve never done and I got chills today talking about it,” said head coach Mike Gottman about the 10-0 mark. “It’s just an awesome experience. It doesn’t happen very often, so it’s just an outstanding feeling right now.”
Durant took an early 10-0 lead over the visiting Lions after a 39 yard opening drive field goal from Daniel Bowers followed by a 15 yard pass from Trey VanDeGrift to Reggie Gainer. The touchdown was set up by an interception by J.J. Garrett when King was backed up on its first possession and facing a third and long.
The Cougars would go up 17-0 before the half when Zach Hooper ran it in from two yards out. That drive was put in motion by a long pass and catch from VanDeGrift to tight end Paxton Sims.
Sims would finish the game 83 yards, but left the game late with a knee injury. Left guard Dalton Wilkerson also suffered a knee injury in the game.
“We’ve got to patch them up and get ready for war next Friday night,” Gottman said about the injuries. “We’ll see how serious it is and hopefully we’ll have them back. I don’t think either one are season ending, but we’ll see.”
Jamarlon Hamilton once again carried the load for the Cougars with nearly 20 carries for just under a 100 yards. Hooper had a nice night as well, adding a 46-yard catch and run for a touchdown on a screen pass late in the game to give Durant a 24-0 lead.
Durant will host Tampa Bay Tech next week in the regional quarterfinals.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing and polish up and get ready for a playoff game,” Gottman said about beginning the playoff next week.