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Football notebook: Durant ready to face top running backs

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A Tribune staff report

Published: October 16, 2009

While Durant's game tonight at Sickles won't have a big impact in the grand scheme of things considering it is a nondistrict matchup, the Gryphons will provide a nice test that could pay dividends for the Cougars during the stretch of district play that follows.

Sickles has a potent rushing attack led by junior Cary White, currently Hillsborough County's leading rusher. Durant's final two district opponents - Newsome and Plant City - also employ running backs who have enjoyed pretty good 2009 seasons. Wolves junior FB Conner Powers and Raiders sophomore RB Dazmond Patterson each rank among the county's top 10 rushers.

"No doubt about it, (facing White) is going to get us ready to face (Powers and Patterson)," said Durant coach Mike Gottman, whose team has a bye next week before facing district opponents Plant City and Newsome in consecutive weeks. "We're going to see what our defense is made of. (White) is a big, strong kid who can run. We've got our hands full."

Durant (5-1) and Sickles (5-1) have been among the county's most surprising teams this season, and Gottman has put a strong emphasis on this game despite it being a nondistrict matchup.

"We want to go over there and win, no doubt about it," Gottman said. "This is a measuring stick to where we're at as a program."

Top juniors go head-to-head

Tonight will be the first meeting between Plant's James Wilder Jr. and Spoto's Rodney Williams in a high school game. Williams said he and Wilder went head-to-head in a TBYFL youth league Super Bowl in the 14-year-old division.

Whichever team wins, the battle between Williams and Wilder, arguably the top two junior defensive prospects in Hillsborough County, will be one to watch.

Williams gets to host the first meeting, and he said when they encounter each other on the field, it's going to be like watching a car wreck.

Both juniors also contribute offensively, which could lead to a few must-watch plays on the field. Williams has rushed 32 times for 119 yards and one touchdown while Wilder has 32 carries for 225 yards and five TDs.

"We're two animals at different positions," Williams said. "On film, he likes to run to the ball, like me. He's a vocal guy like me."

Williams, a 6-foot-1, 224-pound linebacker, leads Spoto's defense with 71 tackles and three sacks while Wilder, a 6-3, 220-pound defensive end, has 44 tackles and seven sacks.

"Williams is a tremendous player," Plant coach Robert Weiner said. "He's all over the field and physical and makes his presence felt. James Wilder is truly one of the most talented individuals I've ever come across. Really, at the beginning of the year, he wasn't quite in shape to be able to play the game we wanted to play. The scary part for opponents is that he's now rounded into shape. ... He's an animal, he's a beast."

"Rodney's more of an inside guy and a little bit bigger, I think," Spoto coach Dale Caparaso said. "Wilder is an outside guy who's more athletic and quick. Rodney is a big hitter. On film, Wilder makes hits, but I think Rodney makes bigger hits."

Turnover turnaround

A few weeks ago Plant City looked to be on a path to a disappointing season. The Raiders never stopped battling, however, and they have given themselves a chance at a promising one.

Plant City (3-3) got back to .500 with last week's win vs. Bloomingdale, and the Raiders are eyeing a third consecutive victory tonight at home against Gaither. A win would give them momentum heading into big district games against Riverview and Durant in the next two weeks.

"We want to keep the momentum, for sure," Plant City coach Jason Strunk said. "We want to keep this thing rolling right now."

The biggest key for the Raiders has been holding on to the football. Through the first four weeks, Plant City committed 13 turnovers. The Raiders have lost one fumble in the last two weeks, and though sophomore QB Bennie Coney has thrown two interceptions, he also has thrown five touchdowns.

"I'll take that," Strunk said. "For sure."

Adam Adkins, Nick Williams

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