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Panthers Score Quickly, Often

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By SCOTT PURKS Tribune correspondent

Published: September 22, 2007

TAMPA - Riverview High's defense is loaded with big, strong, fast athletes, and yet Friday night there was Plant racking up yards upon yards on the Sharks.

'And they did it quickly,' Riverview coach Dan O'Regan said. 'We told our guys we couldn't let them get up 21-0 nothing or anything like that, and yet, whoops, all of the sudden early in the second quarter, there we were three touchdowns behind.

'It was tough to recover from that.'

By game's end, Plant had run away with a 43-22 victory.

For the third week in a row, Plant quarterback Aaron Murray was at the center of the Panthers' offensive outburst, throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns of 30, 28 and 2 yards, while rushing for two more (2 and 11 yards).

The greatest beneficiary of Murray's arm was Cornelius Gallon, who caught eight passes for 180 yards, including the 28- and 2-yard touchdown catches.

'Every week we've gotten better and better,' Gallon said. 'I'd say we're much better than we were in week one during a loss to Armwood. I think we're blocking better up front and we're getting to know Murray better.

'All the receivers six of whom caught passes Friday night are more in sync with Murray.'

Plant coach Bob Weiner said his strategy was exactly what O'Regan wanted to stop - Plant scoring quickly.

'We were telling our guys we needed to strike early because Riverview was a team that fed off momentum, be that good or bad,' Weiner said. 'When we got up quick I think it took a little life out of them.'

To the Shark's credit, however, they didn't slow down after being down 29-0 at the half.

Led by Jahleel Addae (19 carries, 131 yards, two touchdowns) and John Green (14 carries, 120 yards, one TD), Riverview (1-2) gained almost all their yards in the second half.

Meantime, Plant (3-1) was also sputtering a bit, fumbling (twice, losing one) and racking up penalties (15 for 145 yards).

'We did lose a little focus there in the second half,' Weiner said. 'But overall I was proud of our kids' effort. We played hard all night against a very good Riverview team.'

P - Murray 2 run (Winter pass from Murray)

P - Mirabella 41 int. return (Marvel kick)

P - Gallon 28 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

R - Addae 10 run (run failed)

P - Murray 11 run (Marvel kick)

R - Addae 2 run (Charles pass from Fairfax)

P - Marvel 30 pass from Murray (Rhodes kick)

R - Green 55 run (Charles pass from Fairfax)

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