Another year of high school football brought plenty of action and drama to the Plant City area.
Of course, it was to be expected of a season that brought two head coaching changes, several in-area transfers, some breakout players and a Redman Cup game with nearly the highest of stakes. Most area fans had plenty to be excited for.
DURANT
Durant fans were treated to the most successful season in the area, though the postseason run ended earlier than they would have liked.
The Cougars embraced the role of the underdog in 2016, with many Tampa Bay-area pundits picking Plant City and Tampa Bay Tech to make the playoffs. The team applied its lessons learned from 2015, finishing with an 8-2 regular-season record (5-1 district) and by taking back the Redman Cup with a 16-6 win over Plant City.
Durant’s ground game was productive as usual, gaining a total of 1,912 yards and 22 touchdowns. Jake Harris and Cameron Myers each gained over 730 yards, with Myers scoring nine touchdowns to Harris’s four. The team also got a solid season out of quarterback Carlton Potter, who completed 61% of his attempts for 1,426 yards and 19 touchdowns against six interceptions.
The defense proved to be Durant’s strongest asset, racking up about 65 tackles per game, 12 interceptions and 18 sacks as a unit. It pitched three shutouts and, in each of its wins, only gave up more than seven points once.
In addition to the Redman Cup rivalry, the Cougars took control of the Alafia River Rivalry in a 20-13 win over Newsome Friday, Sept. 9.
PLANT CITY
The Raiders were favored to make it into the postseason but came 11 points shy of making the cut.
Although Plant City couldn’t repeat its 2015 success, going 6-3 (4-2 district), one could say the team had a good year under first-year head coach Robert Paxia, especially since the team had to work without its top player, Antoine Thompson.
The Raiders looked competitive in the season opener against Armwood, leading at halftime, and followed that loss with a three-game win streak that put the team in good standing in the district. The Redman Cup loss to Durant Friday, Nov. 14, was also the last of the season: Plant City closed things out by outscoring Lennard and Freedom, 32-14.
Sophomore Treshaun Ward got his chance to shine at running back and accounted for 1,082 of the team’s 1,645 rushing yards. He also scored 13 of the team’s 17 rushing touchdowns and proved to be the offense’s most consistent, effective weapon. His brother Tydre Ward, often considered the heart and soul of the squad, gained 954 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns while playing all over the field.
While it was the first time in several years no defensive player reached 100 tackles, the Raiders did excel at making quarterbacks nervous: the unit recorded 18 sacks, led by eight from Austin Eldridge.
STRAWBERRY CREST
All eyes were on Strawberry Crest in the offseason, as it was the only school to add a head coach with no prior ties to the program.
Head coach Ron Hawn was unable to lead the Chargers to a win in 2016, and working against the team’s chances was the many hits from both graduation and transfers. Crest’s roster, which contained many junior varsity players by the end, brought enthusiasm and lacked experience.
But working with so many young players gave Hawn the ability to build up his own culture for the program. Toward the end of the season, Hawn also changed the offense to match what he ran while leading Tarpon Springs High’s football team.
This season was all about player development, but the team did uncover some talent. Players such as quarterback Braxton Plunk, running back Jaquell Narine, wideout Franklin Murphy and linebacker Tyson Rosania will be counted on next season to help the Chargers break their losing streak and, should everything go well, turn the program around even further.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.