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Queen Hits 'Home Run'

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By ADAM ADKINS

aadkins@tampatrib.com

Published: December 13, 2008

TAMPA - With so many talented players on the roster, Plant coach Robert Weiner said some of his good players can often "get lost in the shuffle" throughout the season.

Junior DeAndre Queen had been one of those players for a good portion of this season, but don't count on that happening when Plant plays for its second state title in three seasons next Saturday.

Queen turned in his best performance of the year Friday night in Plant's 33-21 victory against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer in a Class 4A state semifinal at Dad's Stadium. Queen scored Plant's first touchdown, made a touchdown-saving tackle early in the fourth quarter when Plant was still behind in the game, and then set up the Panthers' go-ahead score.

"He can't get lost in the shuffle anymore," Weiner said.

Queen's first big play of the night came on the Panthers' first offensive play. The Panthers dialed up a "home run" play for Queen and he delivered, hauling in a 33-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Aaron Murray.

"I knew from the get-go that it was coming to me, so I had to run, run, run," Queen said.

The play quickly answered Dwyer's first score, one that was set up after Plant fumbled a punt return after stopping Dwyer on the opening series of the game.

"The momentum part of that play was absolutely huge, to take it right back," Weiner said. "We had a big runback by Javonte Martin to spark that thing, and then DeAndre Queen makes the big play."

As good as that play was at the time, Queen's two biggest plays came in the fourth quarter - with one on each side of the ball.

Dwyer was ahead 21-20 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Bradley Wallace set up in the shotgun. The snap was low and got away from Wallace, though he recovered and was able to find receiver Matt Elam on the sideline. Queen, playing cornerback, had come up when he saw Wallace lose the snap, and the mistake led to Elam being wide open. However, Queen raced down the sideline and caught Elam from behind, saving a potential damaging Dwyer touchdown.

Plant's defense eventually held, with Walter Hudnall intercepting a fourth-down pass in the Panthers' end zone. And on the first play of Plant's ensuing possession, Queen came through with his biggest play of the night.

The speedy receiver took a reverse and raced 55 yards to the Dwyer 28. Running back Marco Cobb scored two plays later from 4 yards out, putting the Panthers back on top and giving them a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

"I knew if I could take it around the corner and do a little stiff arm, I could shoot right through the gap," Queen said. "They caught me at the end, but that's OK."

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 259-7616.

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