NO. 4 TAMPA BAY TECH TITANS (5-1) at NO. 10 DURANT COUGARS (6-1)
When: Friday, October 20, 2017, 7:30 P.M.
Where: Ron Frost Athletic Complex, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City, FL 33567
TV: Spectrum Sports (Channel 47 and HD 1147)
Coaches: TAMPA BAY TECH TITANS- Jayson Roberts (50-25, 7th Season), DURANT COUGARS- Mike Gottman (95-62, 15th Season)
How they match up:
Two of the most explosive offensive teams in the Tampa Bay area go head-to-head in a game that will likely determine the Class 7A District 9 champion. The Durant running game is a well-oiled machine, with the Cougars rushing for 267 yards per contest. The ring band leader of the attack is senior tailback Cameron Myers (1,430 rush yards, 18 TD, 11.5 yards/carry). Myers leads the state in rushing, and he’s complemented well by senior fullback David Tabakovic (512 rush yards, 8 TD), who runs the ball well and also opens huge holes for Myers to sprint through. Three-year starter Kalyb Vazquez is the key figure of an offensive line that’s been consistent all season. Senior quarterback Carlton Potter (612 pass yards, 6 TD, 2 INT) is also a three-year starter, with his leadership and intelligent play pacing the Cougars to their 6-1 start. Senior defensive end Justin Cooks (31 tackles) is a first-year football player whose meteoric rise has been a key factor in Durant’s success. Senior middle linebacker Tanner Jurnigan is back to about 80 percent after spraining both MCLs in week one, and having him return to action has given the Cougars a nice boost. Sophomore safety C.J. Barnes (52 tackles, INT) is solid both in run and pass defense, while junior cornerback Demarcus Governor (INT, 6 passes defended) does an excellent job matching up with opposing number one receivers.
Tampa Bay Tech is averaging 53 points per game over the past four games with a well-balanced offense taking care of business. The Titans have only turned the ball over three times all season, and Tennessee commit Michael Penix, Jr. (920 pass yards, 16 TD, INT) has only thrown two interceptions total over the past two years. The Titans have four running backs who can beat you, with junior Plant City transfer Treshaun Ward (455 rush yards, 4 TD) serving as the top dog of the bunch. Junior wideout Isaiah Stephens (9 receptions, 210 yards, 2 TD) has quietly been one of the best receivers in the area, while senior tight end Justin Mazariegos (12 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD) makes a living in the playaction game. Seniors Isaiah Roseville and Quinton King are both three-year starters on the offensive line. Oregon commit Jonathan King (23 tackles, 3 sacks) and fellow fourth-year starting senior Darius Richardson (28 tackles, 3 sacks) make up the best interior defensive line in the Tampa Bay area, with senior linebacker Jamie Miller (18 tackles, sack) making big plays off the edge. Senior safety Darren Turner (2 INT, 23 tackles) is the heart of the defense with the versatility to play three different positions.
Three Facts to know:
1. KICKING FOR KASH- Junior placekicker Kelly Kash is the first female kicker Durant head coach Mike Gottman has had in more than three decades of coaching football. Kash is a first year football player who immediately earned her teammates respect by showing up for all of the offseason workouts and working hard. She’s 29-31 on extra points this season and has been a consistent force in the kicking game.
2. EVERYTHING MATTERS- To take the next step as a program, Tampa Bay Tech head coach Jayson Roberts unveiled a new motto: “Everything Matters”. You’ll find the words posted up all around the locker room. The idea is that everything the players and coaches do is important, down to the most minor details. It’s not uncommon to hear the coaches saying “everything matters” during conditioning at the end of practice to push players to reach their maximum potential by focusing on total effort in every task they take part in.
3. RUSSIAN ROULETTE- Durant senior fullback David Tabakovic moved to the United States from Russia about eight years ago, earning himself the nickname, “The Rushin’ Russian”. Tabakovic was also nicknamed “Alstott” by the Cougars coaching staff due to his size, versatility, and punishing rushing style.