Cougars defeat the Indians, 34-14.
After a hard fought 16-14 halftime lead, the Durant Cougars defense stiffened and offense scored 18 unanswered points for a 34-14 district win over their 7A-9 foe the East Bay Indians.
Cougars took the early lead on a 15-yard touchdown run by Jake Harris on the game’s opening drive. The Indians would answer right back with a 65-yard scoring drive of their own when Gaej Walker scored on a 19-yard run. Early in the second quarter a bad snap over the head of the East Bay punter would result in a safety and then the ensuring kick would be returned by the Cougars 71-yards up the home sidelines for a touchdown by Jaden Garrett to extend Durant’s lead to 16-7. East Bay’s Gaej Walker scored on a 76-yard run with 3 minutes left in the half to pull the Indians within 16-14.
Midway in the third quarter, Durant’s Jake Harris scored again, this time on a 3-yard touchdown run following a Cougars 69-yard drive for a 22-14 lead. In fourth quarter, the Cougars score two more touchdowns, a 38-yard touchdown run by Jalen Forte and a 48-yard touchdown run by Cameron Myers for a 34-14 final score.
Durant senior running back Jalen Forte ended the night with 167 All-Purpose yards (92 rushing, 50 receiving, 25 returning) and one touchdown, while junior running back Jake Harris had 54 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Also sophomore quarterback Carlton Potter hit on 7-of-13 passes for 109 yards.
Defensively, Cougars got contributions from senior linebacker Blake Moody with two tackle-for-losses, senior defensive back Xavier Walden with a tackle-for-loss and a pass defended, and senior defensive end Garett Waits with a tackle-for-loss and safety.
East Bay’s senior running back Gaej Walker had 120 rushing and two touchdown and senior KJ Sails added 96 All-Purpose yards (64 returning, 32 receiving). KJ also had two blocked extra points and a pass defended.
Indians’ Jaron Green was a force on defense, he had three tackle-for-losses, shared two sacks, and had a quarterback hurry.
Next week, Durant (4-0, 1-0) travels to Lennard (3-0, 0-0) and East Bay (2-2, 0-1) host Plant City (3-1, 1-0).