Plant City linebacker/safety Cole Highsmith has been one of the Raiders’ leaders on defense this season, totaling the second-most total tackles on the team with 73 and the second-most tackles for loss with 17 while also leading the team with six sacks and five forced fumbles. Even more impressively, he’s done it all in just seven of Plant City’s eight games.
But perhaps no single performance was greater than his showing in Plant City’s 25-15 win over Bloomingdale. Against the Bulls, Highsmith paced the team with 13 tackles and five tackles for loss while also racking up two sacks and his lone interception on the season.
Following the contest, Highsmith was named Hillsborough County Player of the Week by Prime Time Preps, receiving 50 percent of the total votes spread across nine nominees.
It’s been a busy month for Plant City area football, as far as award nominations go. Last week Durant head coach Claybo Varnum was nominated for the Buccaneers’ High School Head Coach of the Month award and running back Calub Connell was nominated for Player of the Week following the Cougars’ win over Plant City.
This week, Plant City running back Reggie Bush Jr. and Durant defensive end Leo Tabakovic have garnered nominations after their respective wins.