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Plant 48, Gaither 21, FINAL

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2007

TAMPA - Time was on Plant quarterback Aaron Murray's side Friday night.

It was what he didn't have in the Panthers loss to Armwood last week. Against Gaither, Murray had all the time in the world to throw the ball, resulting in 537 yards of offense and a 48-21 victory over the Cowboys.

'Just going back last week to watching film of the Armwood game, we worked on some things,' Murray said. 'Basically I just worked on trusting my offensive line, staying in the pocket a little bit and I was seeing ghosts out there. I felt like I was seeing 15 guys wide open.'

It may not have been 15 guys, but almost every Plant wide receiver scored. Senior Derek Winter led the Panthers with five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Cornelius Gallon (5-for-87) also had two touchdown receptions.

Murray, who also led the Panthers with 73 rushing yards, left the game with 10:35 remaining in the fourth quarter having completed 15 of 25 for 330 yards and five touchdowns. He was relieved by DeAndre Queen, but Queen left the game with a knee injury that could keep him out for a while.

'Aaron had a couple fundamental things that we worked on after the Armwood game, and we worked on some things with the offensive line,' Plant coach Robert Weiner said. 'I thought both Aaron and the offensive line came out prepared mentally and physically to face the next challenge. Obviously, Aaron was extraordinary tonight.'

Plant's defense held Gaither senior running back Jarvis Giles to 39 yards. Giles racked up 210 yards last week against Chamberlain, but a smothering Plant defense kept him from breaking a big run. Panthers senior defensive back Luke Martin made a key tackle on Giles late in the second quarter and injured his left knee on the play. He was helped off the field and did not return.

Throughout the week, Weiner challenged the defense, reminding them of Giles talent.

'I told our team on the first day of practice that we want to hold him to under 100 yards,' Weiner said. 'And I told them on the second day we want to hold him under 70 yards. Then I told them on Wednesday night we better hold him under 50 yards. Thursday night I didn't say anything. I stopped at 50.'

One of the lone miscues for the Panthers was a bad snap on a punt that resulted in good field position for the Cowboys. On the next play, freshman running back Toney Salters ran 30 yards for Gaither's second touchdown.

Prior to kickoff, the Panthers honored Harris 'Mule' Mullen with his induction into the Plant High Football Hall of Fame. Mullen, who played left guard for the Panthers from 1939-42, was unable to attend the ceremony because of poor health, but his wife Katherine and son, Harris Jr. accepted on his behalf.

Also before kickoff, a moment of silence was observed for former Plant cheerleader Mary Grace Taaffe. Taaffe was killed in an automobile accident on Aug.31.

G-Moore 18 run (Giles run)

P-Gallon 76 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-Winter 12 pass from Murray (pass failed)

P-Epps blocked punt return (kick failed)

P-Gallon 25 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-Winter 58 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

G-Salters 30 run (Cattoi kick)

P-Grossman 7 run (Cannaday kick)

G-Sampson 90 kickoff return (time expired)

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