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Friday Night Replay

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2007

WHO'S HOT

Lovell Jackson - Jackson, who caught the winning touchdown in Plant's 29-22 victory over Chamberlain last week, racked up 190 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in Plant's 54-21 victory over Jefferson to win the Class 4A-Distrcit 10 title. Jackson, the starting running back, finished with 58 yards on the ground, 82 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and a 50-yard punt return.

Tampa Catholic's defense - The Crusaders recorded their fifth shutout of the season in a 35-0 win over Fort Myers Bishop Verot to win the Class 2A-District 5 title. Tampa Catholic held the Vikings without a first down and to negative yardage in the first half. Bishop Verot didn't record a first down until the third quarter.

Marquel Gilmore - With running back/linebacker Samir Baker held out of the offense, Gilmore picked up the slack, rushing 33 times for 248 yards and two touchdowns to lead Brandon over Plant City, 26-14, for the Class 5A-District 7 title. Gilmore had 147 yards rushing at the half.

WHO'S NOT

Coach of the Week Award - The Tampa Bay Bucs' Coach of the Week Award is quickly earning a reputation that rivals the Madden video game curse. Two weeks ago, Jefferson coach Mike Fenton was honored by the organization, only to be followed by his week of turmoil over his suspension for cursing. Last week, Lakeland coach Bill Castle earned the award. Castle's Lakeland Dreadnaughts lost their first game since 2003 on Friday when they were beaten by Kissimmee Osceola.

HONORING THE PAST

Before kickoff of the Class 4A-District 10 title game between Plant and Jefferson, two of the most recognizable names in Tampa were inducted into Plant's football Hall of Fame. Anyone who enjoyed eating at the Palios Brothers restaurant, remembers owners John and George Palios.

John, a 1957 graduate, was a two-way lineman for the Panthers, a member of the 1955 city championship team and a Guy Toph Award honoree. George, a 1962 graduate, made the All-City team in 1959, '60 and '61. Their restaurant, which was known for its fried chicken, served as a gathering spot on MacDill Avenue until closing in 2003. John died of cancer in 2005; his wife Artemis accepted the honor on his behalf.

ONE FOR THE BIG MEN

When 310-pound Plant defensive lineman Jamar Williams lumbered into the end zone for the Panthers' final touchdown in their 54-21 victory against Jefferson, there was an eruption on the Plant sideline unlike on any of the other seven touchdowns they scored Friday night. Williams ran the handoff in for the 2-yard score with 1:35 remaining, conjuring memories of former Chicago Bears lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry.

"I'm happy for him," Plant receiver Derek Winter said. "He kind of looked funny doing it, but a touchdown's a touchdown."

TERRIERS IN PLAYOFFS, AGAIN

Before his team's Class 4A-Distrct 11 showdown against Tampa Bay Tech, Hillsborough High coach Earl Garcia said that if the Terriers won, it would be the program's 14th playoff appearance in the past 15 seasons, which he believes has never been done in Hillsborough County.

"These seniors get to say they've been to the playoff for four years," Garcia said.

Hillsborough won, 35-6.

GRYPHONS MAKE HISTORY

Sickles, 0-10 last year, made the playoffs for the first time in program history with its 18-15 overtime win against Alonso. This is also the first time in program history the Gryphons have finished with a record better than .500. The football program started in 1997.

EAGLES SOAR

Brandon, which captured the Class 5A-District 7 title with a win over Plant City, is rewarded by having to face three-time defending Class 5A state champion Lakeland in the first round of the playoffs. The Dreadnaughts had their state-record 53-game winning streak snapped by Kissimmee Osceola on Friday night. At least Brandon, which lost to Lakeland 49-6 in the first round of the playoffs last year, gets to play at home.

WINLESS NO MORE

There will be no winless teams in Hillsborough County this season. Robinson, the county's only team without a victory heading into Week 10 of the regular season, defeated Spoto, 20-7, on Friday night.

Staff writers Katherine Smith, Adam Adkins and Nick Williams contributed to this report.

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