Durant Cougars tear up the Wharton Wildcats
Hanna Yi

When I was first assigned this game, my initial thought was that this was going to be an intense physical game between two teams with two different approaches. A throwing team vs. a running team. In my opinion, Wharton has one of the best underclassmen QBs in Chase Litton; his arm can only get better. Durant has proven that they have a strong running game with HB Jamarlon Hamilton and QB Nick Fabrizio. Fabrizio runs the ball so well that I didn’t even know who was Durant’s QB until he made his first, and only, pass attempt of the night.

Wharton started the game with a statement. Vernon Hargraves’ 85-yard kickoff return put the Wildcats on the scoreboard early. From then on, though it seemed to be Durant’s game. It protected its turf on Homecoming night. After evening the 15-15 at the end of the first quarter, it was all Durant all night. Durant’s running game is probably one of the most underestimated running games in the county. Between the runs of Fabrizio and Hamilton, I wouldn’t be surprised if they ran for over 300 yards.

Wharton seemed to be in the game in the first half. However, coming back into the second half, Wharton just couldn’t connect on offense and couldn’t stop Durant’s running game in any way.Durant’s defense came into the second half hungry. It was putting pressure on Litton all night and didn’t let him make any big plays. The offense stepped in with some big runs and came out in the half wanting the win.

In this county, where most teams are looked at based on the QBs, there are quite a few teams that rely more on the run game. Some teams that I’ve seen that are like this are Alonso and Durant. If you cannot stop a running game, there’s a pretty good chance both of these teams will beat you. I wouldn’t count Wharton out yet. They seem like a young team and they seem to be heading in the right direction. With Litton under center, this team will be one to watch in the next couple years. Durant is going to be a tough contender this year and next as Hamilton is only a junior. Watch out because he is going to run through your defenses. He is possibly the best HB I have seen yet. This kid couldn’t be stopped unless there was more than one defender there.

Final score of the game: Durant41; Wharton 21