TAMPA - Last week, senior Matt Stwan captured Durant's single-season rushing record with 160 yards against Riverview, surpassing Trae Williams' mark of 1,355 yards.
This week against Class 4A, District 8 champ Middleton, Stwan wanted to put the record out of reach for future Cougars. Stwan ran for 235 yards, putting him just over 1,600 yards for the season and leading the Cougars 28-17 over the Tigers.
"Man, am I going to miss this kid," said Cougars coach Mike Gottman as he grabbed Stwan for a victory hug. "He's a great kid and an All-American. He's become a great player for us."
Leading the Tigers 7-3 midway through the first quarter, Stwan took the ball 73 yards to the end zone on the second play of their second drive to give the Cougars a 14-3 lead.
Middleton's senior quarterback Cedric Harris started the game with nine consecutive incomplete passes and the Tigers ended the half with only 25 rushing yards.
Harris finally got on track late in the second quarter after completing a 48-yard pass to senior tight end Bernard Tillman which gave the Tigers first and goal on the Cougars' 5 yard-line. But the Cougars defense held Middleton on four downs as Durant's offense took over on their 1. Stwan found a hole and ran 99 yards for his second score of the night.
Middleton mounted a comeback in the second half behind Harris who threw for 130 yards and two scores in the half. Harris finished 12-of-34 passes for 243 yards.
