TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Cougars' Leaders Emerge

ADVERTISEMENT

By DAREK SHARP, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

PLANT CITY - Through half of the football season, the Durant High Cougars have proved to be one of the more balanced teams around. The offense and defense are about equal in quality and consistency.

What has been different is how both sides' leaders have emerged. Defensively, Eric Councill was expected to be 'the guy,' and the senior linebacker has done nothing to disappoint. But there was no clear candidate on offense.

Running back Ryan Rice has started to take on those qualities. The only problem, said Cougars head coach Mike Gottman, is Rice sometimes goes a little too far.

'He's definitely a leader, but ... he has to control it sometimes,' Gottman said of the junior. 'He'll get after his co-workers a little bit, where sometimes you want to rally around your guys with encouragement. But he wants to win, that's for sure.'

Rice went from being part of a run-by-committee approach to taking over the bulk of the carries Sept. 14, when he ran the ball 30 times for 162 yards. Durant lost the game 14-9 to Newsome, but Rice was outstanding.

'I love his fire. He's definitely fiery,' Gottman said.

Councill, who added strength during the offseason, has been flying to the ball carrier all year.

Even in Durant's losses, the defense has been strong with Councill leading the way.

'He is, no doubt, the heart and soul of our defense,' Gottman said.

On Friday, Durant will have the opportunity to avenge one of its most heartbreaking losses when it visits Brandon for a nondistrict matchup.

Last year, in a game that featured several lead changes and wild plays, Brandon thought it had converted a first down, which would have allowed the Eagles to run out the clock, but a penalty was called.

Forced to punt, Brandon mishandled the snap to set up Durant at about the 30-yard line. At the Eagle 15 and with time winding down, Durant planned on running one more play before sending in the kicking unit. But the Cougars fumbled, and Brandon won 27-26.

'Brandon's becoming a good rival, too,' Gottman said. 'It's funny, we haven't played any district games but we start off with Plant City, then East Bay (where Gottman previously coached) and Newsome. We have some rivalry with all of those, and now Brandon.'

Kickoff from Brandon is 7:30 p.m. After that the Cougars are home for three in a row, starting with their first District 6A-6 contest against Sarasota.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampatrib .com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT