I know I usually try to look on the bright side in this annual column, but I’m feeling a little more optimistic than usual this year.
Maybe it’s just because the season is so young and I haven’t heard of any debilitating offseason injuries, like when Durant and Plant City each lost senior impact players to injury at summertime camps. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been looking at everybody’s roster pieces and schedules and am pretty sure I like what I’m looking at.
Don’t get me wrong about the schedules, though — some of our teams are in for one heck of a fight throughout the season. We’re going to see successful programs such as Jesuit and Armwood in regular-season games that matter, not to mention that some of the competition around the district could have taken steps to improve over last season.
But I believe every fanbase in the Plant City area has at least some reason to feel good heading into the 2017 season.
DURANT
Let me get one thing out of the way first: I think Durant could find itself in the playoffs once again.
I’m not putting the district championship in the Cougars’ trophy case right now because I believe the road to that championship still runs through Tampa Bay Tech. The Oct. 20 matchup between the teams will be one all Cougars fans should mark on their calendars, especially as a home game. But I see a team that’s experienced and capable of playing football after Nov. 3.
Specifically, I like how the offense could look. Everybody knows Durant likes to run the ball when it can and, in Cameron Myers, the unit might have its most talented running back in some time. Quarterback Carlton Potter is a smart player who can make the throws the team needs him to make and, with help from fullback David Tabakovic and a well-coached offensive line, Durant should be able to eat up the clock and score points when it needs to.
The team’s biggest question mark is on defense, as the unit took a few big hits thanks to graduation. Many players will have to step up after losing guys like Jake Ross, Xavier Lyas, Dylan Novo, Chris Gay and more. I don’t think fans of the Cougars should be too worried about how that will shake out, though.
PLANT CITY
It’ll be interesting to see what becomes of the Plant City Raiders under James Booth, especially on offense.
Booth knows a thing or two about aerial attacks and, with junior running back Treshaun Ward switching over to Tampa Bay Tech in early August, I think there will be more focus on former Strawberry Crest Chargers Braxton Plunk, Tyler Hood and Austin Eldridge, not to mention athletic wideout Xavier King, and the passing game. Plunk didn’t light up the scoreboard while starting for the Chargers in 2016 but he has had an offseason to develop and has landed on a new, better, roster. Booth says Plunk has what it takes to lead his offense and Plunk says he’s more comfortable under center than ever.
The Raiders’ defense should still be solid, perhaps the area’s most talented on paper. Two-sport athlete Cody Cribbs gets one more season to lead the secondary with junior Tyreke Harrison returning to help out, and there’s still a certified wrecking crew at linebacker between James Gordon IV, Amir Abdullah and Ashton Mincey. I know the voice of the Raiders, Calvin “Pee Wee” Callins, will have some fun calling the action when those guys are putting in work.
As always, make plans to attend the Oct. 13 Redman Cup game at 1 Raider Place. Both teams are hyped for the game but, having lost the trophy last year, Plant City players have not been shy about telling me they want it back now.
STRAWBERRY CREST
Mark my words: this is the year Crest breaks the losing streak.
The scheduling powers that be favored the Chargers this season and gifted the team games against Spoto, King, Lennard and Chamberlain. All but the King game will be played in Dover. Also, Crest scored a preseason win. If this isn’t the year to end the #breakthestreak hashtag I don’t know what is.
I know Ron Hawn and his coaching staff are confident about this, too. Though much of the 2016 roster lacked experience, and players such as Plunk and Franklin Murphy have moved on to other things, there’s optimism. Hawn says the offense and defense are “much-improved” versions of what fans saw last year and, based on what I’ve seen, I think he’s on to something. It’ll be interesting to see what the offense can do with guys like Jaquell Narine at running back and quarterback Jarrett Rappe leading the way.
If you’re interested in seeing a years-long regular-season losing streak come to an end, you need to mark the following dates on your calendar: Aug. 25 (tonight!), Sept. 1, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. No specific guarantees here, but I’d say all four of those games are very much winnable for Crest. I’m hoping I’m there for the slump-busting win, whenever that may be.