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Plant Rolls To 4A-10 Championship

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By KATHERINE SMITH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

TAMPA - Plant claimed its third consecutive Class 4A-District 10 title against rival Jefferson with both teams missing some major pieces.

Plant's 54-21 victory at Dad's Stadium assured the defending state champion Panthers will play their first playoff game there, while Jefferson will have to go on the road for its first game of the postseason.

The Dragons were missing their coach, Mike Fenton, while Plant was without all-everything Cornelius Gallon.

Fenton served his one-game suspension for his ejection from last week's game against Alonso, while the senior Gallon watched from the sideline for the first time in his Plant career because of a torn ACL he suffered in last week's game against Chamberlain.

"It was strange," Plant coach Robert Weiner said of Gallon's absence. "This is tough for him. He kept the brave face all week long, but tonight, once the preparation started and the game started, it was tough."

It took the effort of several players to replace Gallon, including starting tailback Lovell Jackson.

Hampered by hamstring and ankle injuries for most of the season, Jackson had his breakout game, contributing 58 rushing yards and 82 receiving yards and three touchdowns, including a 50-yard punt return.

"I needed this bad," Jackson said. "It felt good just to get back on the field with my brothers, and it felt even better to just go all-out."

Plant jumped out to a quick 19-0 lead. It wasn't until 5:40 remaining in the first half that Jefferson scored. Dragons senior Darrell Young's 78-yard punt return with 4:17 remaining in second quarter breathed some life into Jefferson, but the Dragons still trailed by 18 at the half.

The Panthers, led by Hillsborough County's top offensive unit, put the game away in the second half.

Quarterback Aaron Murray helped the Panthers put up 541 yards of offense, which included his 374 passing yards and five touchdowns (one rushing).

Once again, Murray's favorite target was Derek Winter.

Winter, who wrote No. 6 on his left calf in Gallon's honor, led Plant with eight receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns. The senior wideout/defensive back also had an interception and broke up several passes.

"The kid's tremendous," Weiner said. "It's truly, truly an honor to have him on our football team."

It wasn't just an all-Plant show. Jefferson showed its big-play ability at times, but costly turnovers, including four interceptions, three by starting quarterback Zack Grossi, ultimately did them in.

Fenton's suspension ends this morning, when he will meet with his players to go over the film of a game he didn't coach.

"It was just an eerie lack of his presence," said assistant head coach/defensive line coach Dan Lea, who assumed Fenton's duties.

P-James 44 pass from Murray (pass failed)

P-Jackson 50 punt return (kick blocked)

P-Winter 45 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

J-Williams 11 pass from Grossi (Loreus run)

J-Young 78 punt return (Londono kick)

P-Jackson 10 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-Winter 65 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-Jackson 22 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

J-Crews 70 run (run failed)

P-Williams 2 run (Marvel kick)

or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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