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Plant Quarterback Ely Willing To Accept Any Role

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 10, 2008

TAMPA - Being a backup quarterback is a lot like finishing first runner-up to Miss America.

In the event Miss America is unable to fulfill her duties, the first runner-up is asked to step in.

That's what Plant High backup quarterback Phillip Ely did when starter Aaron Murray broke his left leg and dislocated his ankle in the second quarter of the Oct. 16 game against Hillsborough.

Ely has helped lead the Panthers to eight-straight victories, but his streak might end now that Murray's back at practice and could possibly play in Friday night's Class 4A semifinal game against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer.

Given the situation, you'd think Ely would be bitter. You'd be wrong.

"It's not like that," Ely said. "I'm thrilled he's out here. The whole team's like that. It's not like a competition between us, it never has been. It's great he's out here. It helps the team. I just want a ring two weeks from now."

A win on Friday night against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer and Plant is in the Class 4A state championship game for the second time in three years. When Murray went down with his injury, many doubted Plant could get this far.

Those that did don't know Ely.

His first game as a starter, Ely threw for five touchdowns. In his first playoff game as a starter, he threw for four. And he threw two touchdowns in last Friday night's victory against Armwood.

Each week, Ely's improved, which was the game plan all along.

"I wasn't supposed to take a big jump from not playing a lot to this great quarterback," Ely said. "I'm supposed to take it a step at a time each week. And that's what I did."

Now, Ely might be asked to go back to the bench. Plant coach Robert Weiner said he will continue to evaluate Murray before determining whether he'll play Friday.

"I guess I've earned the right, but this is Aaron's team," Ely said. "I'm just helping out. I'd love to go to a state championship. That's all I'm fighting for these days, even if I'm not playing."

And he's sincere and genuinely believes that, which says a lot about Ely's character.

"Phillip handles every situation well," Weiner said. "Phillip came into a game against one of the best teams in the history of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough, and threw a 40-yard pass to start his career. So, Phillip handles every situation well. He's a tremendous kid."

It's his likeability factor that spurs his teammates to pick up their games and play better for him.

"You can't not like Phillip, even if you don't like Plant, you can't not like a guy who came in for an All-American quarterback, doing it the way Phillip's done it," Plant starting center Frank Nicholas said. "You can't help but root for Phillip."

So even if Ely becomes a backup again, his teammates will still pull for him. Ely just wants a ring. And if he plays, that would be great too.

"Every time I play the game, I enjoy the heck out of it," Ely said. "This experience has been great for me."

Reporter Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860.

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