The past two weeks certainly have been a turnaround for both the Durant Cougars and the Strawberry Crest Chargers, who will face each other in Dover Oct. 3. Perhaps the most luck has been with the Chargers, who were not badly beaten last Friday, but that likely won’t matter this evening. When the chips for […]
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2014 Gridiron Report: Week 6
The Plant City Times & Observer brings you another installment of our 2014 weekly podcast, the Plant City Times & Observer Gridiron Report, breaking down high school football match-ups in the Plant City area for the entire 2014 season. Staff Writer Justin Kline is the host of the podcast, which features a weekly “Game of […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 5: Bloomingdale at Plant City
After what seemed like a million thrown penalty flags, the Bloomingdale Bulls were able to escape Plant City with a 24-20 victory. Another rainy Friday night brought another slew of turnovers, with one early Plant City fumble in the red zone resulting in the Bulls’ first touchdown of the game. With 36 seconds to go […]
Continue ReadingPlant City Running Backs Bring Flash and Force
“Thunder and Lightning” came straight from Plant City head coach Wayne Ward’s mouth, brought up during an interview before last week’s Durant game. He might not have meant for that to describe the styles of his two primary running backs, Markese Hargrove and Sterling Day, but it’s certainly accurate. And, much like real thunder and […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Friday Night Notes: The Redman Cup
I was hoping that the 2014 Battle for the Redman Cup would be an all-time classic — maybe an impromptu “gift” for my one-year work anniversary — and it might have been one. But, that depends entirely on how you feel about rain games. That night, the weather was such a factor in the on-field […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Crispian Atkins
This Battle for the Redman Cup was largely determined by the ground game, and Durant’s read-option offense was working well all night. A big part of that was running back Crispian Atkins, who gained 121 yards on 29 carries and scored the Cougars’ lone touchdown of the game. What was working for you that game? […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 09.26.14
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com. FOOTBALL + County refs to host golf tourney If you attended one of Friday night’s football games, then you heard the announcer deliver an anti-domestic violence message before the game on behalf of two local officiating groups. The West Coast Umpires […]
Continue Reading2014 Gridiron Report: Week 5
The Plant City Times & Observer brings you another installment of our 2014 weekly podcast, the Plant City Times & Observer Gridiron Report, breaking down high school football match-ups in the Plant City area for the entire 2014 season. Staff Writer Justin Kline is the host of the podcast, which features a weekly “Game of […]
Continue ReadingJV FOOTBALL: Durant at Plant City
It was another Redman rivalry on Tuesday night, when the Plant City Raiders junior varsity squad hosted Durant High School’s. The weather was much better than what the varsity teams endured Friday night, but the game couldn’t have been much more different. The Cougars came up with a 28-0 lead in the first half, largely […]
Continue ReadingWeek 4: Plant City at Durant
Make no mistake: though the final score of this game was just 9-7, in favor of Durant, this was a Redman Cup battle to remember. Or, at least the final minute of it. Mother Nature had been hinting at nasty weather for much of the week, and went all-in on Friday night. Near-torrential rainfall kept […]
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