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Durant Looking At Must-Win Friday

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By DAREK SHARP

dsharp@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

PLANT CITY - Technically, Durant can lose Friday and still have a chance of making the postseason.

But that option is not advisable.

Friday, the Cougars take on Sarasota Riverview in a virtual must-win situation. And it won't be easy.

Sarasota Riverview has proven to be one of the most underrated teams in the Tampa Bay area. The Rams came out of nowhere because they started off 1-2, but further examination of those losses - at Kathleen and a 21-14 defeat against still-unbeaten Venice - show that they were actually impressive outcomes.

So were victories for Sarasota Riverview against Sarasota Booker, the Tornadoes' only defeat of the season, and against Miami Pace.

The Rams have two outstanding running backs, Andre Booker and Jon Evans.

Durant stayed close throughout in its 6A-8 opener but lost 21-16 to Sarasota on Oct. 10.

Against Sarasota, the Cougars jumped to a 7-0 lead on a 38-yard touchdown run by Antonio Morris but did not score again until the final minutes. In between, the Cougars were stifled by penalties, none more costly than a block in the back that overturned John Hicks' interception return, which would have given Durant a 17-14 lead.

Sarasota Riverview won its first 6A-6 game, 35-12 against Riverview. That means the two Sarasota teams would lock up the district's two playoff spots if they win Friday.

A Durant victory would create quite a few scenarios, including the possibility of a three-way tie for first place.

Should the Cougars lose, they would need Riverview to knock off Sarasota, then would have to beat Riverview on Nov. 7 and have Sarasota Riverview also defeat Sarasota.

All of that would be just to put Durant into a three-way tie for second. The district's runner-up would be decided in an on-field tiebreaker Nov. 10.

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