By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
According to his coach, Cedric Alexander, Duran Davis, the Westside Gazette’s Student/Athlete of the Week, epitomizes the tenacious fighting spirit of the ‘22 Piper Bengal football team which on Friday lost a hard fought battle to the talented, undefeated Blanche Ely Tigers, leaving the Bengals with an overall 5-3 won /loss record as the regular season nears its conclusion sans those in playoff contention.
What makes Duran, a 6’3” 270 pound offensive lineman so special, has more to do with the two years spent in football purgatory because of an undisclosed medical condition which kept him from competing his sophomore and junior years. The perseverance and determination he demonstrated during those long difficult days didn’t go unnoticed by Coach Alexander who noted about his mammoth offensive tackle: “Duran has overcome so many obstacles because of his resilience. Though he had to sit out those two years, he never wavered in his belief that he would return. He is truly the anchor that holds our team together.” Duran, who considers Kyrie Irvin his favorite athlete and role model (not surprising since basketball is his second sport of choice), believes that being a student/athlete sets you apart from others and teaches responsibility, demanding your best effort because your future often depends on choices you make academically and athletically. Having 3.9 GPA speaks volumes about his character, personal initiative and academic prowess. As an offensive lineman he has graded in the mid/eighties for each game. Duran’s maturity is readily evident when responding to his concept of what leadership or a team captain looks like: someone who recognizes and respects other peoples’ perspectives, demonstrates no bias and is prepared to take control and make tough, often unpopular decisions. Duran likes being associated with a team concept because meeting and interacting with others prepares one for adulthood. He sees the Plantation Colonels as natural rivals, loves playing at home aka The Jungle – and views competition as fun and exciting.
According to his coach, Cedric Alexander, Duran Davis, the Westside Gazette’s Student/Athlete of the Week, epitomizes the tenacious fighting spirit of the ‘22 Piper Bengal football team which on Friday lost a hard fought battle to the talented, undefeated Blanche Ely Tigers, leaving the Bengals with an overall 5-3 won /loss record as the regular season nears its conclusion sans those in playoff contention.
