Here we look ahead to some of the biggest games of the 2022 season for Durant, Plant City and Strawberry Crest
Aug, 27: Plant City @ Newsome
In Plant City’s first regular season game under new head coach Michael Clayton, the Raiders will head to Lithia and face Newsome in a tough opening contest. Newsome finished the 2021 season with a 9-3 record, going undefeated in district play including a convincing win over Plant City late in the season en route to a district championship.
Sept. 2: Strawberry Crest vs. Spoto
Strawberry Crest hosted Spoto in Week 3 last year, with the Chargers getting their first win of the season in a 7-0 victory over the Spartans. In a defensive battle, both offenses were kept off the board as Crest took the lead with a special teams touchdown late in the first half and held on for the narrow win. With a more experienced roster for the Chargers, Spoto could again prove themselves as another early-season measuring stick.
Sept. 9: Durant vs. Bloomingdale
In Week 3, Durant will play host to Bloomingdale, a traditionally strong program that finished 5-6 in 2021 — going 3-0 in divisional play — after a 12-2 record and a state semifinal appearance the year before. After games against Chamberlain and Middleton to open the year, Bloomingdale will likely be the Cougars’ toughest test through the first three weeks.
Sept. 16: Durant @ Plant City (Redman Cup)
Durant and Plant City will round out their first month of the season with the Redman Cup, the annual rivalry matchup between the two local Plant City area teams. Last fall, in Durant’s first year under head coach Claybo Varnum and Plant City’s final season under former head coach James Booth, Durant took their first Redman Cup victory since 2017 with a 29-6 win over the Raiders. Both teams will look a little different and certainly a little younger than last year’s matchup, but with the season in full swing and three regular season games under their belt, the excitement for this year’s installment will be as big as ever.
Sept. 23: Strawberry Crest @ Zephyrhills Christian Academy
In late September the Chargers will get another tough test as they head to Zephyrhills to face the Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors. While in the FHSAA’s 2A division last season, ZCA finished the 2021 season with a 9-3 record and a trip to the second round of the 2A State Tournament.
Sept. 30: Durant @ Sumner
In this late-September matchup, Durant will open up district play against the Sumner Stingrays. Opening their doors in 2020, Sumner has put together a strong start to their football program with a combined record of 16-4 over their first two seasons, including a 9-3 finish in 2021. Durant began their season against Sumner last fall, coming away with a 22-6 win to kick off the year.
Oct. 7: Strawberry Crest vs. Middleton
Middleton finished the 2021 season with a 3-7 record, putting up wins against King, Blake and Robinson. This is a game where the Chargers will hope to come away with a statement victory as it lies between two tough matchups in Plant and Alonso.
Oct. 14: Durant vs. Newsome (Alafia River Rivalry)
As you look out over the trees that lay beyond Durant’s stadium on a Friday night, you can see the lights shining from Newsome’s football field if they’re hosting a home game of their own. In a rivalry that is separated just a few short miles, you would be hard-pressed to find a game in this area that brings more energy than the annual Alafia River Rivalry. Durant put up a tough fight against Newsome last year, ultimately falling 17-7 to the eventual district champs, but this year the Cougars will be eager to settle the score.
Oct. 21: Plant City @ Armwood
Plant City will head to Armwood in October to take on a perennial powerhouse in the Armwood Hawks. While Armwood hasn’t been the same unbeatable force that they were in the past, they rattled off seven wins last season – ultimately finishing with a 4-6 record after three wins were forfeited due to an ineligible player – and may be one of the Raiders’ toughest tests this year.
Oct. 28: Plant City @ Strawberry Crest
In a trip that will only take a short ride up Alexander St. and a left turn on Baker St., Plant City will head to Strawberry Crest for another local rivalry matchup between the Chargers and Raiders. While their football programs have looked starkly different in recent years, this late-season matchup may prove interesting as Plant City looks to surprise a few people with their young roster and Strawberry Crest looks to build on the foundation that was laid in 2021.
Nov. 4: Plant City vs. Jefferson
In 2021, Jefferson finished the season at 3-7 and ended their year below .500 for the first time since goin 5-7 in 2015. In this season finale, Plant City will be looking to end the year on a positive note as playoff hopefuls while Jefferson looks to finish strong on what they hope to be a bounceback season.
