Durant

By Bryan Burns
Published August 31, 2007

Multiple Choice

The high expectations surrounding Durant this season can be attributed to:

A) 15 returning starters, including nine on offense and six on defense

B) A deep, experienced roster featuring 18 seniors

C) Senior quarterback Jeremy Fussell running the offense in his second season as a full-time starter

D) All of the above

Answer: D. Despite 3-7 and 4-6 records the past two years, coach Mike Gottman is quietly optimistic about the upcoming season. "I feel real good about the experience that we're returning, and, in my opinion, there's no substitute for that game experience," he said. Also in Durant's favor: Fussell, one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the county.

True-False

One of the Cougars' smartest players also might be their most talented player.

Answer: True. Royce Rose, a 6-foot-4, 204-pound tight end, is Durant's main target when Fussell drops back. He's also the target of several Ivy League schools, notably Columbia and Harvard, and is the Cougars' best D-I prospect, according to Gottman.

Yes or No

Will Durant's defense, which gave up an average of 22 points last season, be better this year?

Answer: Yes. Gottman would like to decrease that number to 14 or 15. "If we can hold a team to 14 points, we should be in every ball game," he said. And with a deep linebacker corps, led by returning leading tackler Eric Councill (119 solo tackles), coupled with a quick, experienced secondary that returns every starter, the defense should be considerably improved despite returning only one starter on the D-line.

Essay

Newsome coach Kenneth Hiscock on Durant:

"Coach Gottman does an outstanding job with that group. They've got a great quarterback in Fussell and also a great tight end. There's always a lot of bragging rights on the line when we play Durant."

Gottman on Durant:

"We're itching to get back in the playoffs. We haven't been in the playoffs in a while. ... You've got to win two out of three (district games) to get in. We've got Sarasota Riverview, Sarasota and Riverview in our district, so it's a very tough district - one of the toughest in the state. If we can get in, anything can happen."

Extra Credit

Ryan Rice will start at tailback, taking over for the graduated Matt Wacaser, but junior Duron Armstead also will get some carries, according to Gottman. ... Junior free safety Marvin Dexter is back after taking last season off to concentrate on academics. ... Councill didn't play until high school because his dad wanted him to avoid contact.

Bryan Burns, Times correspondent

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 15:16:41]