It’s hard to believe that it has already been a full year for the Plant City Observer. It seems like just yesterday that I was meeting all the coaches at local schools and scoping out the sports scene here. The great thing about this job is it allows me to go out and meet some […]
Continue ReadingDurant
Passion fuels Durant coach Jackson Barwick
In the 1993 film “Rudy,” the lead character, Daniel E. ‘Rudy” Ruettiger, played by Sean Astin, has a memorable dialogue with Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian, played by the late Jason Miller. I’ve come to realize that God made some people out to be football players, and that I’m not one of them, Rudy said. […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Athletes prove anything is possible
If there is one lesson that should be taken away from recent stories in the sports section of the Plant City Observer, it’s that great things are possible with hard work and dedication. In the past few weeks, we have brought you stories of overcoming great odds and local athletes achieving great things. This underlying […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Durant Youth Football Camp
Durant High School continued its annual summer tradition of developing young athletes this week as head coach Mike Gottman and his staff and players conducted the 2013 Cougars Youth Football Camp. The Cougars coaching staff has more than 100 years of combined coaching experience. Durant is coming off an undefeated regular season and a second […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Pro ball, White Sox a good fit for Danish
Let’s all daydream for moment. Imagine you are an 18-year-old gifted athlete from a rural town. For the past two years, you have had professional scouts at your practices, your games and even in your home. Last week, five-time All-Star Frank Thomas called out your name and high school on national TV. You come to […]
Continue ReadingTyler Danish named Mr. Florida Baseball
Durant High pitcher Tyler Danish continued his memorable June Monday with the announcement that he was named this season’s Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Florida Baseball. The award is given to the top high school baseball player in the state. In April, Danish was named the player of the year by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. […]
Continue ReadingDurant’s Tyler Danish selected by White Sox
Durant High School right handed pitcher Tyler Danish was selected in the second round (55th overall) by the Chicago White Sox Thursday in the 2013 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Danish helped his Durant Cougars team to the 8A state semifinals by being one of the most dominate high school pitchers in the […]
Continue ReadingNumbers Game
It wasn’t something he set out to do, but Durant’s Alex Wood is breaking stereotypes. “I never really looked at it like that until someone pointed it out to me,” the Cougar offensive lineman said. “They said something about going against the jock stereotype and I thought, ‘Yeah, I guess it does.’ It actually makes […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Athletes impressive both on and off field
One of the most interesting things about covering high school sports is getting to see great athletes play at the prep level. After a while, you develop a keen eye and can spot the “special ones,” the ones who likely will play at the college level and perhaps even further. Plant City has had plenty […]
Continue ReadingTYLER DANISH: PITCHING MACHINE
May has been a busy and eventful month for Tyler Danish. June could be even better. It’s been just two weeks since he took his Durant baseball team to the Class 8A state championship in Fort Myers — and things haven’t quieted down since his high school career ended. His phone has been ringing off […]
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