Soccer teams enter critical week

With Plant City and Durant students back from break, those involved in athletics are now back on their various fields of play.

But for the soccer teams especially, it's really time to get down to business.

The Raiders and Cougars have to shake off the holiday rust quickly, as this week marks the conclusion of the district schedule. Although there are still a few weeks to get ready for the 5A-8 tournament, both teams will know their seeding for the event after they square off Friday.

Durant hosts Plant City for a soccer doubleheader, starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. The boys contest kicks off at around 8 p.m., which likely will have the top seed at stake for both teams.

Before that, tonight the Durant teams are at Strawberry Crest.

Plant City hit the holiday break still undefeated on the boys soccer season. Bloomingdale put the second "blemish" on the Raiders record, which was 9-0-2 after the 3-3 tie with the Bulls on Dec. 17.

Wayne Roberts had the big night for the Raiders, as the defender scored two goals after having put home one goal in the first 10 games.

Both Plant City and Durant have tied district foe Newsome, which recently beat East Bay to all but lock up a 4-0-2 final district record. Plant City can best that mark if it wins out, but Durant can ruin those plans.

The trio of Plant City, Durant and Newsome is locked into the top three spots of the standings but any of them could still finish as top seed. Whichever team earns that distinction will receive a first-round bye for the district tourney - and avoid having to play the other two squads until ostensibly the tournament finals.

"No matter how it turns out, you're going to end up with a tough game to get into the playoffs," Durant head coach Jamin Hollingsworth said. "That semifinal game is going to be a good team regardless, because East Bay is looking like the fourth seed. Whoever gets the bye will probably end up against East Bay in the semifinals."

Both semifinal winners will automatically qualify for the 5A playoffs.

The soccer district tournaments start the week of Jan. 25, and Durant has the advantage of hosting the boys event; the girls will play at Riverview.

Hollingsworth said a lot of his players won't have to worry about being rusty this week, as they play for club soccer teams.