I knew on Monday morning that, with the three-way tie for first place, there would have to be a playoff to determine a district champion. And, what makes for more compelling drama than a series of fourth quarters? As we saw in Friday’s Durant-East Bay tilt, sometimes, all you need is one good quarter to […]
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JOHN BROOME: Dream Chaser
Much has been said of Plant City’s Montel McBride, who looks — and plays — like the Incredible Hulk. And of Sedrick King, a great athlete and potential terrorizer at outside linebacker. But, neither lead the team in sacks this season. Ever heard of John Broome? Broome, a senior defensive end, has 15 sacks in […]
Continue ReadingLady Cougars, Lady Raiders to tip off with new coaches
With the exception of Strawberry Crest’s 20-8 record, 2012 was not a good year for the area’s girls basketball teams. It was clear to both Durant and Plant City that changes needed to be made, so both schools replaced their coaching staffs. Constance Wharton, with the Lady Cougars, and Wilt Wilkerson, with the Lady Raiders, […]
Continue ReadingSIDELINES: 11.07.13
VOLLEYBALL + Durant eliminated at regionals The Lady Cougars’ impressive 2013 season has come to an abrupt end. Playing Nov. 5, at home, Durant lost the semifinal to Steinbrenner in three sets: 25-18, 25-21 and 25-22. The loss dusted off the cobwebs in Durant’s L column and stuck them with a still-sterling 26-1 record for the […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Victoria Fanning
Durant’s volleyball team has played like a juggernaut in 2013, and coach Brittany Wade credits the seniors with being great leaders. One of those super seniors is outside hitter Victoria Fanning, whose nine kills and five blocks against Wiregrass Ranch helped the Cougars move to the regional semifinals. Tell me about this season. We’ve just […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: 7A District 8 Playoff Tiebreaker
After Friday night’s football slate, Strawberry Crest found itself tied with Plant City and East Bay in the district standings. Three quarters of Monday night football determined a champion and a runner-up. For the first time since 1973, East Bay is a district champion. They did it with back-to-back 7-0 wins over Crest and Plant […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 10: Durant at East Bay
Much of this game was controlled by Durant, but a slew of second-half penalties and a late East Bay rally led to a 10-7 defeat. With a bye next week, this loss brought the Cougars’ 2013 season to a close. Even if they could have held on to win, Plant City’s 26-3 victory at Brandon […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 10: Plant City at Brandon
Plant City took its high-powered offense and stout defense west to face the Eagles Nov. 1, in Brandon. The Raiders kept the Eagles’ offense out of the end zone the entire night, taking a 14-3 lead into halftime. Plant City stretched that lead to 26-3 by the end of the game. Raiders running back Sterling […]
Continue Reading2013 Gridiron Podcast: Week 10
The <em>Plant City Times & Observer</em> brings you the fourth installment of our 2013 weekly podcast, the <em>Plant City Times & Observer Gridiron Report</em>, breaking down high school football match-ups in the Plant City area for the entire 2013 season. Staff Writer Justin Kline is the host of the podcast, which features a weekly “Game […]
Continue ReadingStretching the Field
If there’s one thing that Durant’s opponents haven’t been able to say this season, it’s that they didn’t see Garrett Rentz coming. Standing 6-foot-6, it’s really hard to miss him. But, the junior has gotten used to being taller than most, just as he is getting used to life on the varsity team. While the […]
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