Another year, another early-season upset win at Durant.
The Cougars kicked off the 2015 regular season with a statement win over the fourth-ranked Hillsborough Terriers, a 16-7 grinder that was sealed with less than 30 seconds left to play. Durant fans can also celebrate the fact that their team was the only Plant City-area team to win, let alone come close to winning.
Durant’s defense set the tone early by causing three turnovers in the first quarter – including interceptions by Jaden Garrett and Justin Bauman on Hillsborough’s first two passes – and new starting quarterback Carlton Potter led a drive that ended with a short touchdown pass to Brandon Myers. Hillsborough wasn’t able to answer until the second quarter, a few minutes after getting stuffed at the goal line by a bevy of Cougars. With 5:41 left in the half, Lawrence Dawsey Jr. threw a touchdown pass to tie.
In the fourth quarter, when it looked like the Terriers were on the verge of taking over, Garrett blocked a field goal and swung the momentum back to Durant. Four minutes later, with just under three and a half minutes to play, Jalen Forté broke off a 21-yard run for a score to put the home team ahead, 14-7. Durant was then able to back Hillsborough well into its own territory, ending with Dylan Novo sacking Dawsey in the end zone for a safety with just under 30 seconds to play.
In other area news, Plant City lost at Armwood, 49-7, and Strawberry Crest lost to Brandon, 31-3.