TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Plant Wins Sling & Shoot

Tribune photo by GREG FIGHT

Leto offensive coordinator Frank Rose goes over a play with his players in the Sling and Shoot 7-on-7 Tournament at USF Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 14, 2008

TAMPA - Plant High's football team handled some of the best teams in the state during the weekend. Now the Panthers are ready for the nation's best.

Plant won the annual USF Sling & Shoot 7-on-7 tournament on Sunday with a thrilling 34-33 overtime victory against Atlantic High. There will be little time for celebration as the Panthers prepare to leave for the Nike 7-on-7 National Championship in Portland, Ore., this week to face seven of the country's top high school teams.

"I feel good about getting on a plane on Wednesday to go and play the best teams in the nation," Plant coach Robert Weiner said. Plant didn't lose a game in the two-day tournament that drew 46 teams from around the state. The Panthers survived a tough fourth-round game against Middleton to advance to the semifinals. Middleton kept things close until Plant pulled away for the victory.

In the championship game, the score went back and forth, with Plant junior wideout/defensive back Eric Dungy snagging a key interception early on to stop an Atlantic drive. The Panthers held a slim lead until Atlantic scored a touchdown to tie the game at the end of regulation.

Atlantic scored first in overtime, but Plant responded as quarterback Aaron Murray found receiver Allen Sampson in the end zone. Instead of attempting to tie the game, Plant went for two and the win. Murray connected with Nathan Marvel for the 2-point conversion.

Defending Sling & Shoot champion Jefferson nearly made it an all-Tampa final. The Dragons lost to Atlantic in the semifinals by one point. Receiver Devion Falconer caught a touchdown pass from Quentin Williams to pull Jefferson within one as time expired. Jefferson failed to convert the extra point that would have sent the game into overtime.

In the Small School Division, Plant's junior varsity team defeated first-year program Carrollwood Day School Prep. Sophomore quarterback Phillip Ely threw three touchdowns in the championship game, including one to TJ Neal, who also had an interception.

Katherine Smith can be reached at (813) 259-7860 or ksmith@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT