TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

'Semi' Delivers Defense For Raiders

ADVERTISEMENT

By DAREK SHARP, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2007

PLANT CITY - Having a Plant City High football player with the name Durant is enough of an oddity. But it doesn't end there for this Raider senior.

His first name is the real attention-grabber. Arsenio Durant, known as 'Semi,' is named after the celebrity Arsenio Hall. And Semi (as in SEH-me, not like the truck) is the character Hall played in the Eddie Murphy movie 'Coming to America.'

'My grandma actually came up with the name Arsenio, and I've been Semi ever since I was little,' Durant said. 'People have been calling me that since I was 4 or 5. I used to watch that movie all the time.'

But Durant is not just known for his name. He is one of the top players on a very strong Raider defense, which has become one of the tougher units to face in Hillsborough County.

'His motor is always running. He's definitely one of the leaders on defense,' Plant City head coach Kevin Kelley said.

The defense will be tested Friday when Armwood comes to Raider Stadium. The Hawks are ranked in the top 25 by one national poll and are the No. 2 team in Class 4A behind Miami's Booker T. Washington.

Even with numerous injuries, some to key players such as offensive tackle Matt Patchan and middle linebacker Petey Smith, the Hawks have been steamrolling opponents. It began with a 26-7 revenge win over Plant.

The Panthers had knocked Armwood out of last year's playoffs after Armwood had reached the state finals the previous three years, winning the championship twice.

'They have guys get hurt but they don't lose much, which is a credit to their program,' Kelley said. 'For most schools around here, when the No. 1 guy goes down at any position there's a dramatic drop, but not Armwood.'

Kelley is glad that Durant is on his team as opposed to playing for, well, Durant.

It almost happened.

'When I was a freshman they had School Choice, and I did want to go to Durant,' Durant said. 'But they were filled up.'

Durant is glad he stayed. Durant is part of a tremendous group of seniors on defense that includes captain Brent Butler, lineman Joseph Upthegrove, linebacker Chase Thompson and defensive backs Johnathan Dupree, Willie Haynes and Michael Sykes.

This year, Durant changed his jersey number from 2 to 56 so, if needed, he could help the offensive line. His services there have not been required yet.

Durant said the defense has come around this year thanks to its new coordinator, Laykeye Cooper. A former Raider quarterback, Cooper returned to his alma mater after turning into a defensive coach at Tampa Bay Tech.

'It's been a big turnaround since Coach Cooper came,' Durant said. 'He works us so hard at practice. He says whatever you do, go 100 percent.'

Although Cooper's pattern of having them do sprints before and after practice took a little getting used to, Durant said the extra effort has been worth it - and it might translate into an opportunity to get a college scholarship.

Before that time comes, however, Durant is more worried about making sure the Raiders make their way to the playoffs in his final high school season.

'I think we have a good chance at it. We have to keep playing together as a team. The defense is almost as one heartbeat now,' Durant said.

This week's game against Armwood does not count as part of Plant City's playoff record. The Raiders return to district play Oct. 18 at Newsome.

Wherever his playing career takes him, it is likely the Semi moniker will stick - at least on the football field. His mother, Winnie, will call him by his real name when the situation fits.

'When I'm in trouble she calls me Arsenio,' Durant said. 'But everyone calls me Semi. Well, except for my teachers.'

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampa trib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT