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Durant squeaks past Gaither

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By The Tampa Tribune | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2009

PLANT CITY - Durant quarterback Je' Twan Smith pounded the ball in from the 1-yard line to score with less than three minutes to play, giving the Cougars a victory against Gaither.

The score was set up by Smith's longest pass of the night — a 27-yard completion to Morgan Brooks, who took the ball to the Gaither 16 with less than five minutes remaining.

Cougar running backs Ruben Garcia, who carried the ball seven times for 47 yards, and T.J. Davis, who ran for 16, rushed four consecutive times following the pass, taking time off the clock and setting up Smith's touchdown run with 2:31 to play.

Gaither hurt itself, accumulating 20 penalties for 124 yards, none bigger than the illegal block called on a kickoff return right after Durant's touchdown.

Gaither returner Jamal Allen took the kickoff on his own 4 and brought it back 96 yards, appearing to give the Cowboys a chance to tie the game with a conversion, but the penalty brought the ball back to the 45.

Gaither then couldn't advance the ball, turning the ball over on downs, which allowed Durant to take a knee to end the game.

Gaither 0 0 0 0 — 0
Durant 0 0 0 7 — 7
D—Smith1 run (Bass kick)

Barry Carroll

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