1. ERICK DAVIS
It’s tough to look at a football team that’s completely turned its luck around and pin that all on one guy. Actually, it’s probably closer to “impossible” than “tough.”
In Durant’s case, their worst-to-first story wasn’t completely Erick Davis doing — but it’s clear that he may have been the most important piece of that puzzle.
Taking over the starting position from then-graduating senior Trey Van De Grift, Davis proved to be the kind of quarterback who keeps opposing defenses in the film room for longer than most. Although he demonstrated on several occasions that he can sling that ball wherever it needs to go, his legs ended up being a perfect complement to head coach Mike Gottman’s run-heavy offense.
Davis led the Cougars with 12 rushing touchdowns, and finished second on the team with 125 carries for 833 yards — a number that could have been closer to first place if he didn’t miss a game with an ankle injury. Through the air, he completed 61% of his 54 pass attempts, racking up 656 yards and six touchdowns against three interceptions.
His play was crucial to his team’s resurgence, and for that, Davis can’t go unrecognized.
2. MARKESE HARGROVE
Prior to football season, there was a lot of talk about the Plant City Raiders’ future. After losing most of 2013’s key contributors to graduation, the roster took an even bigger hit when T.J. Chase transferred to Bradenton powerhouse IMG Academy.
But, people who talked to head coach Wayne Ward in the offseason likely heard about Markese Hargrove, a smaller running back heading into his junior year with a spot at the top of the depth chart and athletic ability in spades.
Taking over for Hassan Bailey in the backfield, Hargrove proved himself to be the best running back in the area: 1,365 rushing yards at 8.5 yards per carry, nine touchdowns and seven (nearly eight, with a 99-yard game against Bloomingdale) games with over 100 rushing yards. In his fifth game as a starter, a 21-6 win over East Bay, Hargrove racked up 269 yards on 18 carries.
Hargrove’s consistency helped his team reach the playoffs on its last possible chance, getting in on a 20-14 upset over Brandon in which the junior gained 204 yards and two rushing scores. Basically, whenever this kid’s on the field, the Raiders always have a chance to score points.
3. KENDALL DAWSON
The only thing more awesome than representing your country on an international stage is when you play well and help take your team to a medal. Just ask anyone who’s ever done it.
We do have one of those people here in Plant City, too. Kendall Dawson, perhaps best-known in these parts from her playing days with the Plant City High and University of Alabama softball teams, traveled to Japan to play for Team USA in an international tournament.
Instead of softball, though, Dawson decided to try something new and go out for the women’s baseball team. Joining her in tryouts was current Durant pitcher Chelsea Baker, but at the end of tryouts, it was Dawson who ended up making the cut and joining the team as a catcher.
In September, Dawson played in the Women’s Baseball World Cup in Miyazaki, Japan and helped the Americans play their way to the silver medal — losing to Japan in the championship game, 3-0.
Dawson went 3-for-5 with three runs scored over the course of the tournament. She hopes to be invited back for the 2016 tournament which, according to the International Baseball Federation’s website, will be held in South Korea.
4. TERRA BROOKS
Plant City isn’t short on athletically gifted kids, and one of the most impressive athletes in the area can be found at Strawberry Crest High School.
Terra Brooks, a junior, has spent 2014 making a name for herself in both volleyball and basketball. In the latter, she’s improved her per-game averages over her 2013 performance, currently getting 13.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and two steals per game.
It was in volleyball, however, that she made the most noise this year. Brooks showed promise in 2013 with a 238-kill season, but the rest of her game developed big-time in the offseason. This year, she led the Lady Chargers with 227 kills and 87 total blocks (65 solo, 22 assists). Also, both her 28 serving aces and 292 digs were second on the team, and not by too much.
Brooks’ dominating presence in the middle helped lead the team to a 17-5 record and a playoff appearance, and she was also named a first-team all-star among Hillsborough County volleyball players.
With her abilities growing quickly in both sports, watching Brooks play either game should be worth the price of admission for any Chargers fan.
5. SAMANTHA BLACK
Plant City Times & Observer readers were invited to nominate their favorite teams and athletes for this section, and no one — an athlete or a team — got as many recommendations as Plant City High senior Samantha Black.
Readers will recall that Black was recently profiled in the Dec. 19 issue, a piece that chronicled her struggles with juvenile arthritis and her willingness to keep playing through the pain and other physical limitations. That’s impressive on its own, but Black wouldn’t be in this spot if she weren’t also good at what she does.
Cheerleading can be rough on the joints, especially for anyone who likes to tumble. That didn’t stop Black, however, and she’s done well enough in her career that Plant City head coach Karen Snapp made her one of the team captains for this season.
Leading the Lady Raiders flag football team in several offensive categories is also a pretty big deal. As the team’s top wide receiver, Black led the team in all receiving categories and touchdowns scored, and also led the team in interceptions when playing defense. Head coach Greg Meyer, in particular, speaks very highly of Black’s skills and attitude.
With her treatment in full swing, Plant City fans should be excited for what Black could do on the gridiron in 2015.