BRANDON — Chris Atkins ran for 121 yards and two scores and Trey VanDeGrift threw for a pair of touchdowns as Durant shutout Brandon 36-0 Friday night on the road in 7A District 8 action.
There was a constant rain throughout the game, but that didn’t slow down Durant’s offense, as it pulled to a 19-0 lead by halftime.
Atkins scored the first points of the game on a 17-yard run on the Cougars’ first possession. His partner in the backfield, senior Jamarlon Hamilton, finished with 66 yards on 14 carries and picked up a touchdown on a 1-yard run in the second quarter.
“They work real well together and play for each other,” head coach Mike Gottman said about his running back duo. “They’re unselfish and pick up for one another.”
VanDeGrift’s two touchdown throws came on a 21-yard strike to Paxton Sims in the first half and on a 15-yard pass to Reggie Gainer in the fourth to give the Cougars a 35-0 lead. Kicker Daniel Bowers connected on three of four PATs and hit a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter.
The Durant defense shutdown the Eagles, limiting big plays and sustained drives all night. The Cougars held Brandon (0-3, 0-1 in 7A District 8) to just 21 yards in the first half.
“We didn’t want to give up any big plays or any scores on special teams,” Gottman said. “We wanted to make them drive the length of the field. I’m proud of our guys. We scrapped and we got the shutout.”
Durant (3-0, 1-0) extended its shutout streak to two games. The Cougars have only allowed seven points through three games this season.
Durant will take on Wharton next week on the road.
