Strawberry Crest came to play on Homecoming eve, and the Chargers showed that they’re becoming a different team now.
Their only problem? Durant was better that night, picking up a 27-14 win in Dover.
The Cougars have had a habit of winning games in which they score on their opening drive, and Friday night was no different. It didn’t take long for quarterback Carlton Potter to hit Austin Resendez on a catch-and-run play, which the wideout took 77 yards for the score. Just before the quarter ended, Jalen Forté gave the Cougars a 12-0 lead with a three-yard run.
But Crest woke up in the second quarter, controlling the pace well and allowing running back Bryce Blackmon to put his team on the board with 2:43 to go in the half. Tate Whatley kept numerous plays alive with some elusive footwork, and wideout Chase Lawson came up with numerous big catches throughout the evening – even after getting sick at halftime.
Forté gave Durant some insurance to start the third quarter, scoring on a 36-yard catch-and-run play of his own and getting the Cougars ahead, 20-0, with help from a Brandon Myers two-point conversion. Myers scored exactly seven minutes later, on a short pass in the end zone, and the PAT made the score 27-7.
Crest answered as soon as the fourth quarter began, after driving to the goal line with help from Brandon Frazier. On fourth down, Whatley punched the ball in himself to bring the score to 27-14. The Chargers gave Durant plenty of help with back-to-back personal fouls, but Junior Ogun picked off Potter in the end zone at the 8:52 mark.
Whatley and the Chargers drove into Durant territory, and got a bit of good luck when a roughing the passer call wiped out an interception that he threw. But, on fourth and 12, a wide-open A.J. Quinn dropped what would have been a sure touchdown pass, and Durant had just enough time – 33 seconds – to take a knee and ice the game.
In other area action, Plant City shut out Bloomingdale, 14-0.