By Tamas Mondovics
While hoping for a chance to represent their schools at the top level of competition, the 2012-2013 fall football season ended for Durant and Newsome last month, with a 7A-Region semifinal and final games respectively.
Leading up to the end of the season for both teams, Durant faced Newsome for the second time with the odds of winning favoring the undefeated Cougars (11-1).
Along with their first ever perfect season behind them, Durant entered the regional semifinals sporting a solid 34-7 win against the Tampa Bay Tech Titans, extending the program’s much admired winning streak.
But, with a 52-7 win against the Gaither Cowboys, Newsome also managed to advance to a Durant rematch.
The game, which proved to be one of the most anticipated games of the fall football season, offered no second chances and was decided by a number of mistakes on the part of the Cougars midway through the fourth quarter, resulting in a 24-14 visiting Newsome victory that eliminated the previously unbeaten Durant.
Instead, the rematch showed no sign of inferiority on the part of the Wolves led by program head coach Kenneth Hiscock.
A 14-0 Newsome lead with a touchdown in each of the first two quarters was by no means anticipated by the home team, who replied back with two TDs in the third led by Cougars senior Jamarlon Hamilton.
“Our main goal was to limit mistakes,” Hiscock said. “I am impressed with the way we played.”
Between Clint Carnell, who ran for a game-high 109 yards and quarterback Will Worth, who posted 8-of-11 for 111 yards, as well as a touchdown and had 101 yards rushing and a team that had to play its best, Newsome proved its right to be in the 2012 FHSAA Class 7A Football Championship bracket.
With the 7A-Region 2 semifinal win, Newsome avenged a 38-28 loss to the Cougars earlier in the season, advancing the Wolves to reach the 7A region final game to battle Kissimmee Osceola in hopes of a state appearance.
Unfortunately, with a 21-18 loss, Hiscock’s boys fell short of reaching their goal and will once again have to wait for another state appearance chance.
For more information about the season, please visit www.fhsaa.org.
