After a slow start by both teams, the Durant Cougars pounced on second-half opportunities and locked in a 24-6 win.
A Peyton Ledbetter field goal gave Durant a 3-0 lead with 40 seconds left in the first quarter and, aside from a blocked Durant field goal attempt in the second quarter, neither squad could muster up any offense until after halftime. But, once Durant got going, it gave the home fans their money's worth.
The Cougars' run started midway through the third quarter, when wideout Brandon Myers took off on a 92-yard run to the end zone and gave Durant its first touchdown of 2016. The Eagles nearly scored to close out the quarter, though, letting the clock run out at the Durant 1 with a first down.
And then, just as the fourth quarter was under way, Adrien Kirkland picked off Brandon quarterback Barry Wyche and took the ball all the way to the house for six.
A few minutes later, at the 7:53 mark, Durant running back Jake Harris set up Durant's final score of the game with a big run up the middle, getting brought down at the Brandon goal line. He immediately punched it in to make it a 24-0 game in favor of the home team.
Brandon finally got on the scoreboard with 2:46 to play, thanks to an 11-yard touchdown reception, but the Cougars were quick to stifle any Eagles' good feelings by blocking the PAT attempt.
In other area action, Plant City went to Riverview and left with a 37-0 win, while Jesuit traveled to Dover and routed Strawberry Crest, 45-0.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
