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Cougars Study Playoff Scenarios

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By DAREK SHARP, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

DURANT - Although it would be nice for Durant to waltz through its game at Riverview on Friday with little difficulty, that's not how things have gone for the Cougars this season.

But if the law of averages continues to hold, Durant should be smiling by the end of the night.

Buoyed by finally coming out on the good side of a close finish, Durant knows a win Friday can land the Cougars in the football postseason for the first time since 2003. If Durant beats Riverview and Sarasota wins at Sarasota Riverview, the Cougars are in.

That scenario is one of four that can unfold in District 6A-6. It is the only one that guarantees the Cougars a spot.

'The main thing is we're in a position to go, but we've gotta take care of Riverview first and foremost,' said Durant head coach Mike Gottman.

Durant can win and still not be assured a playoff spot. Or the Cougars could lose and still have a chance at getting in as runner-up.

Although there is uncertainty, Durant is in a preferable position, thanks to what happened the last time the Cougars took the field. Durant edged Sarasota Riverview 21-14 in a game played Oct. 19 at Ron Frost Athletic Complex.

Of Durant's first seven outings, five were undecided going into the fourth quarter. Durant came away with only one victory, getting a last-second field goal from Evan Kelly to beat East Bay. (Since then Kelly suffered a season-ending knee injury.)

And so, when the score against Sarasota Riverview was tied heading into the final quarter, one couldn't help but foresee another sad ending for the Cougars.

Senior quarterback Jeremy Fussell was not about to let that happen.

'He kind of put the weight of the game on his shoulders,' said Gottman, who noticed a command in Fussell's demeanor that was greater than he had seen before. 'He was really feeling it. He said, 'Coach, give me the ball - I'll get it in.''
Fussell connected with Taylor Gammill for a touchdown as Durant went ahead 21-14 with 7:29 remaining. Then the Cougar defense came up with two stops to secure the victory. Seniors Eric Councill, Glenn Booth and Mike Jean had big defensive nights, along with junior Austin Devall.

If Durant had been unable to hold on, the Cougars would be out of the playoff hunt; the two Sarasota schools would have uncatchable 2-0 records in 6A-6. This Friday's Sarasota-Sarasota Riverview match-up would have been to determine who the district champion is and who the runner-up is.

As it stands, there are four outcomes possible, only one of which Durant (4-4) must stay away from. If the Cougars lose and Sarasota Riverview beats Sarasota, then Sarasota Riverview would be district champ - despite an overall record of 2-7. Sarasota would take the runner-up spot.

The Sarasota-Durant victory combo is another that would solve things. Sarasota would be the district champ, and Durant would open the playoffs on the road, likely at undefeated Orlando Boone.

Durant can still win the district title and avoid a tough first-round road trip, but the only way to do that would involve a three-team tiebreaker. For that to happen, the Cougars must beat the Sharks, then have Sarasota Riverview knock off Sarasota.

If that happens, then Monday a three-team shootout between Durant and the two Sarasota schools would be held to sort out the two playoff spots from 6A-6. It would be at Durant or Sarasota, depending on how the Sailors did against Hollywood Hills on Friday.

The final potential outcome would have Durant falling to Riverview and Sarasota holding form by winning. With that, Durant, Riverview and Sarasota Riverview would all be 1-2 in the district and would shoot it out Monday at Durant for the runner-up position.

That last possibility is why Riverview should still have motivation to win Friday. But the Sharks might have trouble shaking off their 22-21 district loss to Sarasota. Riverview was ahead 21-9 at halftime but Sarasota - without star quarterback Casey Kelly, who was in the hospital with a staph infection - came back to win.
Gottman likes his team's outlook better if running back Ryan Rice is cleared to return from a shoulder injury. The junior was set to be examined on Tuesday.

In Rice's place, Marson Shoemake has been running admirably, but Gottman would prefer to keep Shoemake fresh on his natural defensive side of the ball.

Other Cougars that used the bye week to help heal from injuries included linebacker Colton Bridges, Booth and Councill.

The Durant-Riverview and Sarasota-Sarasota Riverview games are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

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