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Practiced Patience Pays Off For Plant

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By KATHERINE SMITH | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 14, 2008

TAMPA - Call them the comeback kids.

Plant is used to being front-runners. The Panthers are accustomed to large leads and playing with running clocks. But this postseason, Plant has discovered a new strength.

In reaching Saturday's Class 4A championship game against Tallahassee Lincoln at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, the Panthers have had to come from behind in three straight games. Considering Plant outscored opponents in the first half of its regular-season games by an average of 29-6, playing catch-up is a new experience, but one that's becoming commonplace.

"I think it's moments like coming from behind that kind of forge your identity," Plant coach Robert Weiner said. "That's why when we get into a game where we're behind, there's a true, genuine, unspoken confidence that we're going to come through in that situation."

After opening the playoffs with a 67-7 thrashing of Lakewood, Plant traveled to Bradenton to take on Southeast in the regional semifinals and quickly found itself in unfamiliar territory.

The Panthers trailed Southeast by four points in the fourth quarter. That's when the ground game, quarterback Phillip Ely and the defense dug in and produced 10 points for the 13-7 victory.

"That was a great game for us. It really helped us," linebacker Beau Hume said. "It's been humbling because we know we're not going to get guaranteed victories."

Against Armwood in the regional final, the Hawks scored first, but then the Panthers reeled off 17 unanswered points, thanks in large part to what has become a practiced patience.

"There is definitely a calmness and a lack of panic that we have," Weiner said. "Our team, in those situations, has played with urgency, but not desperation, and that's the way you want to play when you get down."

One thing Plant preaches is to not get too low after a negative play. Dwyer scored first Friday night with 7:29 remaining in the first quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Javonte Martin returned the ball to Dwyer's 33-yard line and on the next play, Aaron Murray connected with DeAndre Queen for a touchdown to tie the game.

"If you look at a lot of the big plays the other teams have made, we always had a play right after to shift the momentum," center Frank Nicholas said. "We try to make big plays and capitalize when we need to."

Plant hopes this newfound comeback attitude will carry over and serve them well when they play Lincoln for the title.

"You can't get to the state championship without learning how to handle the rough waters that come along the way on the trip," Weiner said.

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

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