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Just 2 Wins To Go For Plant, Pasco

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By NICK WILLIAMS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2008

If Plant wins its second state title in three years, it can thank Armwood.

First, the Panthers have to get past Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer in Friday night's home Class 4A state semifinal game. And a history of teams that have defeated the Hawks in the postseason recently bodes well for Plant.

Since Armwood won its back-to-back state championships in 2003 and '04, teams that have beaten the Hawks in the playoffs have gone on to win it all. Ponte Vedra Beach Nease did it in the 2005 title game. Plant beat the Hawks in the 2006 regional finals en route to its first state title.

And last year, Miami Washington won the 4A championship after handing Armwood its only loss of the season in the state semifinals.

The Panthers need some healing time to keep that streak going. As is usually the case following a game against Armwood, several Plant players are nursing some wounds.

Starting middle linebacker Mike Mirabella is day-to-day with an ankle sprain and will be limited at practice this week in Plant's preparation for Dwyer. Mirabella, who intercepted Armwood backup quarterback Rob Jones in the second quarter to help set up the Panthers first touchdown, suffered the injury in the third quarter. The two other starting linebackers, Beau Hume and Josh Varon, suffered leg cramps in the second half, but should be good to go this week.

Starting wideout Allen Sampson tweaked a high ankle sprain early in the game and was used sparingly the remainder of the game. Coach Robert Weiner said they will rest Sampson for most of the week.

Katherine Smith

IT'S HOME SWEET HOME FOR PASCO - AGAIN

Classify the Pasco football team as one of the lucky ones.

Throughout their playoff stand, the Pirates have had nowhere to go, but home. The Pirates (12-1) have hosted their first three playoff opponents and will welcome the fourth, Tallahassee Godby (11-2), Friday to W.F. Edwards Stadium. This is the deepest the Pirates have been in the playoff since their 1992 state title.

In five regular-season games, Pasco outscored opponents 129-65. In three playoff games, visitors have been outpointed 100-32, for a grand total of 229-97.

Much ado is made of homefield advantage and for Pasco, that saying is indeed true. The squad has blanked two of its opponents and held another to seven points. No team has scored more than 20 points on the Pirates defense all season. That unit has collected 30 sacks, nine fumble recoveries and eight interceptions at home.

The offense has been as impressive, beating opponents in each quarter. Pasco has outscored opponents 58-17 in the first quarter, 87-34 in the second, 54-26 in the third and 30-20 in the fourth.

Pasco isn't alone in the Class 3A bracket with the distinction of not having to load up a bus and travel. Miami Monsignor Pace (11-2) is the other. If both teams win out, there's will be one road trip for each team - to Orlando's Citrus Bowl for the state championship game Dec. 19 at 1 p.m.

Eddie Daniels

DREADNAUGHTS IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY: STATE SEMIFINALS

Last season was a bit unusual for the Lakeland Dreadnaughts. The situation? They weren't playing for the program's seventh state title.

After winning three consecutive Class 5A state titles from 2004 to 2006, the Dreadnaughts lost the chance to defend their title when they were eliminated in the 5A region semifinals by Kissimmee Osceola.

This year, however, the eighth-ranked team in the country is on a mission.

The Dreadnaughts (13-0) host Pensacola Pine Forest in the state semifinals Friday at 7:30 p.m.

"There was a lot of motivation," said junior running back Rodney Watson, who rushed for two touchdowns in his team's 40-20 win against Chamberlain in the 5A-Region 2 final Friday. "Especially when we beat Osceola the first time and the second time this season. That was the plan, to get back in it and put the team back on track."

Lakeland pounced on Chamberlain on Friday, dominating on both sides of the ball against one of the top 5A teams in the state. Its defense held one of Hillsborough County's best offensive players, quarterback Dontae Aycock, to 12 rushing yards and 20 passing yards in the first half. Aycock finished the game with 57 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and 55 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. They also sacked him twice.

"We needed to keep them off the field and not let them get any rhythm on offense because they are explosive," Lakeland coach Bill Castle said.

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