Having won last year's Alafia River Rivalry game at the very end, the Durant Cougars went into their Friday, Sept. 9, rematch with Newsome hoping to put it away earlier.
They did just that, shutting down the Wolves' final drive in a 20-13 win at home.
Although Newsome was able to get on the scoreboard first, it took less than three minutes for Durant to answer: Jake Harris scored on a six-yard run with 42 seconds left in the first quarter, setting up the 7-7 tie that would hold until the third quarter.
Newsome took a 13-7 lead with a long touchdown pass at the 9:15 mark in the third quarter, but the Wolves' attempt to go for two extra points was shut down by the Cougars' defense.
But Durant was able to get in a groove, thanks to solid work from Harris and quarterback Carlton Potter. With help from Harris's ability to punch through the Newsome front seven, Potter threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Myers in the third quarter to help the Cougars take the lead for good, and then threw a screen pass that Cameron Myers took 38 yards for insurance.
Both teams got two more drives in the quarter and, although Newsome did gain momentum from blocking a Peyton Ledbetter field goal attempt, the Durant defense shut down the Wolves on their final drive and got the home team the ball back with enough time to kneel the clock away.
In other area action, Plant City coasted past Brandon, 41-7, while Strawberry Crest took a 12-10 loss to Middleton.
