Durant Learned Valuable Lessons

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments after a state playoff loss to Riverview Sumner last November, Plant City Durant head football coach <strong>Claybo </strong>Varnum and his team reflected on the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it ended sooner than they wanted, the valuable experience this program received was something that will certainly drive them this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knowing that they are headed in the right direction, the Cougars understand that getting off to another 7-1 start is certainly great but finishing things off and getting over that playoff hunt what 2024 will be all about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What this program will rely on this spring and summer is the maturity of the rising senior (2025) class. This is a group that learned so much from last year and are anxious to get the season started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among those prospects include <strong>Garrett </strong>Bowmar (LB, 5-11, 175 – 3.4 GPA), <strong>Cole Castle </strong>(LB, 6-0, 190 – 3.58 GPA), <strong>Jayden Cornelius </strong>(WR/DB, 5-9, 160 – 2.87 GPA), <strong>Michael Everhart</strong> (OL, 6-5, 241 – 3.72 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829450' first='Christian' last='Gambrell'] </strong>(RB, 5-7, 150 – 2.9 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='830570' first='Chris' last='Lankford'] </strong>(WR, 6-3, 180 – 2.6 GPA), and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134132' first='Emmanuel' last='Lee']</strong> (5-8, 165).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition, <strong>Cade Long</strong> (OL, 6-1, 250 – 3.75 GPA), <strong>Ajani Peavy</strong> (WR, 6-0, 170 – 2.8 GPA), <strong>Aidan Piatt</strong> (DT, 6-2, 250 – 3.8 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831311' first='Michael' last='Ryan']</strong> (QB, 5-10, 160 – 3.26 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1550836' first='Hunter' last='Smith']</strong> (OLB, 5-8, 135 – 3.7 GPA), <strong>Hale Sollmann</strong> (LB, 6-1, 204 – 4.0 GPA), and receiver/defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1205503' first='Damari' last='Styles']</strong> (5-9, 160 – 3.26 GPA) will make a solid contribution.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As impressive as the rising senior class will be, the Cougars are also looking at the rising junior (2026) class to also play a huge role in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by <strong>Jeremy Cannon</strong> (LB, 5-9, 165), <strong>Landon Collins</strong> (OL, 6-3, 285 – 3.4 GPA), <strong>Josiah Dennis</strong> (DL, 6-1, 300), <strong>Paul Dilley</strong> (DL, 6-0, 194), <strong>Michael Gibson</strong> (RB, 5-6, 164 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Colin McClellan</strong> (OL, 6-1, 203), <strong>Ryan Porter</strong> (WR, 6-2, 150 – 2.6 GPA), <strong>Landon Snapp</strong> (LB, 6-0, 181) and <strong>Caleb Waters</strong> (DL, 5-11, 188), have quality depth will be essential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking about quality depth, the rising sophomore (2027) class is also going to be special – with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1682595' first='Kairee' last='Barnum']</strong> (WR/DB, 6-0, 150), <strong>Jarvis Sherman</strong> (QB/DB, 5-7, 145), <strong>Jontrell Washington</strong> (OL/DL, 6-3, 230), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1721117' first='Nykel' last='Young']</strong> (LB, 5-9, 180).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF PLANT CITY DURANT FOOTBALL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: <strong><a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->