Durant High School has had a great start to this football season going 6-0 and averaging 34 points a game. A big reason behind their early success is the family like atmosphere the team has established. Durant benefits from having young energetic coaches like Wesley Wyatt, Mat Stwan and Frank Lane, who all played for the school during their high school days and now teach at Durant. Through the coaches, there is a passion for Durant that has trickled down to the players and formed the team into a tightly knit family. I caught up with two of Durant’s players this week to find out their thoughts on this year’s success.
Durant star running back Jamarlon Hamilton stands 5’9 weighs 215 pounds and smashes opposing defenders like a locomotive on a weekly basis. Coach Stwan says that he is, “one of the best young men I have had the opportunity to coach or meet.” In six games Jarmalon has already surpassed 800 yards and acted as the catalyst of a potent Durant offense; yet, he is also one of the most humble young men that I have interviewed.
Question: What has led to Durant’s early season success?
Answer: We worked very hard this offseason and the team has been able to come together as brothers. Our coaches preach team work and the team has really bought in to that message this year. The school itself has been feeding off our early success and the fans have been awesome at home games this year.
Q: What was Durant’s biggest win so far this year?
A: It had to be Wharton. Anytime you can beat a team with players like Vernon Hargreaves it’s a big deal. That was by far the most fun game I have ever played in and the whole team played hard for 48 minutes.
Q: Are you looking forward to breaking a thousand yards on the season?
A: I don’t really look at stats. I just play and try to do whatever my coaches ask of me. As long as the team is winning I am happy.
Q: It’s your senior year are any colleges recruiting you?
A: I am a little disappointed that I am not really getting a ton of looks. Florida Atlantic and USF have asked about me but not shown tons of interest. My coaches are working hard though sending out highlight tapes so I’m hopeful I’ll get more looks soon.
Q: What was your favorite moment of the season?
A: It had to be finally beating Plant City. It was my first time ever beating them and it felt great. I really wanted to get some payback after last year and the team played amazing.
Q: How do you foresee the rest of the season playing out?
A: If we keep practicing hard every day I think we have a good shot of going undefeated and winning the district.
Junior offensive lineman Cody Martin is a 6’4 260 pound man-child that has been abusing defensive linemen all year.
Q: What has led to Durant’s early success?
A: Our team really bonded this offseason by going to camps and conditioning at the school every day. We are a real close group and everyone on the team gets along.
Q: How have your fellow students responded to the football team’s success?
A: Durant just feels like an electric atmosphere this year. All the kids are super excited and the pep rallies have been amazing. It really feels special when you get to put on a Cougar jersey each week.
Q: What was your favorite moment of the season?
A: By far it had to be beating Plant City. That was so refreshing. We have been waiting so long to beat them.
Q: How do you foresee the rest of the season playing out?
A: If we keep putting in the work we have been every day at practice we will win out. We can’t get complacent though. We have to go into every game ready to work and smash people in the mouth.
– Anthony Peace