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Plant Drops Hillsborough From Ranks Of The Unbeaten

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By KATHERINE SMITH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

Updated: 10/13/2007 12:33 am

TAMPA - Last season, the Plant Panthers ultimately defined themselves as state champions.

This season, they were in search of a game that would define the squad. They found it against the previously perfect Hillsborough Terriers.

Plant dismantled Hillsborough's vaunted defense in its 35-16 victory Friday at Chelo Huerta Field.

Panthers quarterback Aaron Murray defined his role in accounting for 368 of Plant's 394 yards. Murray threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 118 yards and a score.

'We talked about it before the game that he needed a moment that was his as the leader of this team,' Plant coach Robert Weiner said. 'This was a defining moment for him, not only just the way he played and his numbers, but a defining moment for him to take hold of this team and take us where we want to go.'

That the Panthers (5-1) didn't play mistake free and still won can be attributed to their big-play ability; Plant turned the ball over three times and had 16 penalties.

'I wouldn't have thought we would have won the game handily, not against that football team,' Weiner said. 'They're a good football team. They're fast, they're aggressive, and if we have to play them again in the playoffs, it will be just a heck of a ballgame. We made a lot of mistakes, but we made a lot of plays, too.'

Senior wide receiver/defensive back Cornelius Gallon accounted for a lot of those big plays. Gallon scored two touchdowns, including an 85-yard kickoff return, and also collected two interceptions.

'I want Gallon to put us on his income tax return because if he didn't have a Division I scholarship before tonight, we got him one,' Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia said. 'Kickoff returns, catches, interceptions, we got beat in every facet of the game.'

Hillsborough (5-1) opened the game by eating up a lot of clock. But back-to-back tackles for a loss by the Plant defense forced Hillsborough to punt on its opening drive. Plant fumbled the ball on the ensuing possession, leading to Evan Colborne's 40-yard field goal.

The Panthers responded by going deep. Murray hit Derek Winter on a slant route for an 18-yard touchdown. The score was set up on the first play of the drive when Murray connected with Winter for a 42-yard reception.

On Plant's 78-yard scoring drive in the second quarter, Murray rushed for 45 yards and picked up three first downs with his feet.

Hillsborough came back with a ground assault. Terriers freshman fullback Jamie Knott's 21-yard run midway through the second quarter was followed by Marc Thomas' 55-yard TD run to pull the Terriers within three. But Plant extended its lead by 10 just before the end of the half when Murray connected with Gallon for a 3-yard scoring strike.

After a scoreless third quarter, with Plant controlling most of the clock, Hillsborough remained in the game thanks to Panthers mistakes.

Terriers junior tailback Lindsey Lamar capitalized on a Plant fumble with a 44-yard touchdown run to pull the Terriers within five. Gallon responded on the ensuing kickoff with an 85-yard return to put the Panthers up by 12 with 10:50 remaining.

P-Winter 18 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-Winter 40 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

H-Thomas 55 run (Colborne kick)

P-Gallon 3 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

H-Lamar 44 run (kick failed)

P-Gallon 85 kickoff return (Rorech kick)

P-Murray 5 run (Rorech kick)

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

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