TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Football Countdown: No. 2 Plant Looking For Edge To Regain Championship

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 27, 2008

The Tribune is counting down the top 10 football teams in Hillsborough County. Today: No. 2 Plant. The rankings were compiled in a vote by the Tribune's four staffers who cover high-school football and News Channel 8's Dan Lucas.

TAMPA - Most teams finishing a season with an 11-2 record would be ecstatic. Not Plant.

That's what happens to a football program after it wins a state title. Expectations become more than putting up a good record.

The Panthers followed up their 2006 Class 4A state title with a two-loss season - both to Armwood. Plant's 2007 season opened and closed with losses to the Hawks.

They open the regular season again with Armwood, and if things play out like they did last year, the two will meet in the regional finals again with a shot at a state championship on the line.

"In 2006 the players really realized they were more than the sum of their parts," Coach Robert Weiner said. "But the kids came together to create the dynamic that one plus one did not equal two, it equaled something much greater than that. We truly believe in that at Plant High School, and we think that's what can take us to the promised land again.

"We feel like we have a talented team, talented enough to compete with anybody, and you have to have that first; but you've got to find that thing that's going to take you over the top."

Plant, the three-time defending Class 4A-District 10 champion, returns only three starters on offense and three on defense, but the ones returning were major contributors last season - none more so than quarterback Aaron Murray. Murray set a state record with 51 passing touchdowns. He also led the state with 4,012 yards.

He got a lot of work with some new receivers, including wideouts Eric Dungy and Allen Sampson and tight end Orson Charles at various 7-on-7 tournaments this summer, including the inaugural national Nike "7 On" Football Tournament, which Plant won.

Linebacker Mike Mirabella, one of the defensive returning starters, was named to the Nike All-Tournament Team. He was second in tackles last season behind safety Hunter Baldwin, who returns for his senior season. Defensive tackle Austin Clark is the other returner, a player, who, like a lot of his Plant teammates, is garnering Division I attention.

KICKOFF CLASSIC: Friday vs. Wharton

SEASON OPENER: Sept. 5 vs. Armwood

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT