In 2015, the Countryside Cougars were back in the postseason for the first time since 2011 and as district champions finishing the season as 7A-10 Champions and with a 9-1 record. That sort of three year playoff drought was something the garnet and gold faithful hadn’t experienced in what seemingly felt forever having only missed the playoffs three times since 1996.
It was thanks in large part to some playmakers on both sides of the ball plus an extremely balanced attack–something the Cougars have possessed in terms of production numbers the past two seasons. In 2014, they finished with 1,801 yards of passing–good for 180 yards per game, while totaling 1,787 yards on the ground–good for 178 yards per and a mirror image of the air attack in terms of numbers.
This season, the numbers were eerily similar. The Cougars were credited with 2,188 yards passing–good for an average of 199 yards per game while they finished the season with 1,934 yards of rushing and a 176 yard per game average. Their total points scored versus given up in ’14 averaged 23 points for–and 15 points against. That average was up slightly higher this season on both sides with an average of 30 points for and 21 points against by seasons’ end.
The interesting thing about the defensive numbers however, is when you look at the final two games of this year’s season for the Cougars–you see they gave up a total of 76 points in their final two games versus Lake Mary and Tampa Bay Tech. Take away those two games–and their defensive average of points against drops down to 17 points per contest.
That sort of consistency as a unit will be imperative this season if C’Side wants to hit their marks in 2016 while the transition to a new quarterback and set of skill players takes place. While the Cougars will certainly be fine when it’s all-said-and-done because the talent is there on the offensive side, they will be looking at their defense to carry the heavy-load for certain.
Individually speaking, one of those players would be defensive end, Andrew Brown. The 6-foot, 220-pounder also plays a little bit along the offensive line, but the rising senior is starting to blossom on the defensive side of the ball at the right time.
In 2014, Brown managed just 32 tackles–9 solo–with just 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Last season, Brown started to become a monster blowing by his sophomore numbers and racking-up 51 tackles as a junior–with 39 of those tackles solo and 13 of those for loss. Brown also nearly doubled his sack total from’14 with 7 sacks last season and even contributed with three passes defensed.
Needless to say, if Brown’s teammates on both sides of the ball continue that sort of trend upwards while maintaining the consistency they’ve been hanging their hats on collectively the past two seasons, then expect the Cougars’ postseason plans to continue this fall.