For the first time this year, a bigger and faster team took the field to compete against the Durant; yet, Tampa Bay Tech had no answer for tremendous amount of grit displayed by the Cougars. Durant might be the most complete team I have seen all year and they proved their critic’s wrong by crushing the Titans 34 to 7.
On the first drive of the game, Durant senior cornerback Terry Grimsley, intercepted a Titans pass. This would lead to a 1 yard touchdown run by quarterback Trey VanDeGrift.
On the next Tampa Bay Tech drive a stringent Durant defense with force a quick punt. The Durant offense sputtered on three straight downs and it seemed like Tampa Bay Tech’s defense was generating some momentum; yet, a costly roughing the punter penalty by the Titans allowed VanDeGrift to get hot. He guided a masterful drive with his legs and arm which concluded with him throwing a 15 yard bomb to Corey Roberts.
Tampa Bay Tech junior running back Deon Thompson came up huge on the Titans next drive. Thompson pounded the ball down the field and romped into the end zone on an impressive 15 yard run which made the score 14-7.
Both offenses stalled in the second quarter; yet, Durant’s running back tandem would come up huge before halftime. Jamarlon Hamilton broke a beautiful 30 yard run which was followed by a 36 yard touchdown run by Chris Atkins. Durant would take an imposing 21 to 7 lead into halftime.
Coming out of half, Durant went on an impressive 9 play offensive drive; yet, Titan junior Marquise Barber came up with a critical third down sack that absolutely leveled VanDeGrift and forced a punt. The Titans seemed energized by the play and would mount a 12 play drive on their own; however, Titans quarterback Deon Cain was crushed while scrambling and fumbled the ball.
Durant would take possession and put together another impressive drive that would end with a beautiful 31 yard Zach Hooper touchdown run on a perfectly called reverse. This gave Durant a 27-7 lead in the 4th quarter.
Tampa Bay Tech would muster another massive 12 play drive however Durant’s defense stood strong at the goal line and safety Paxton Sims batted down a 4th down pass. Fittingly, Hamilton would score the last points of the game with a 17 yard touchdown run. The final score was Durant 34 and Tampa Bay Tech 7.
Game Notes:
** Durant Kicker Daniel Bowers has a strong leg and only allowed one Titan kickoff return. Most of his kicks sailed easily through the end zone.
** Hamilton, who finished the night with 112 yards and a touchdown, still has no scholarship offers. I was sitting by Durant’s Principal Pam Bowden and she was sickened by that fact. She said, “He is a great kid with great grades” and that he “deserved to play at the next level.”
** Durant’s Dontriel Perry ended the game with a sack and was a beast for the Cougars all night. The 6’4 210 pound junior defensive end is definitely someone to watch next year.
** I am so impressed with Tampa Bay Tech Senior Michael Fry. Fry is 5’5 on a good day but runs with a tremendous amount of heart. He also caught a 50 yard bomb on the Titans last drive.
– Anthony Peace