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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 19, 2008

Panthers Win Inaugural '7 On' Championship

Plant High defeated Georgia's Henry County High 30-14 to win the inaugural Nike "7 On" Football Tournament in Beaverton. Ore.

The Panthers came from behind for the victory. Trailing by seven at the half, defensive back Hunter Baldwin snagged an interception on the first play from scrimmage to spark a 23-point run by Plant.

"That was the first time we trailed the entire tournament, so that interception was huge," Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

Quarterback Aaron Murray, who threw four touchdowns in the title game, was named tournament MVP. Tight end Orson Charles, defensive back Javonte Martin, receiver Nathan Marvel and linebacker Mike Mirabella were named to the all-tournament team.

En route to the title, Plant was the only team out of the eight-squad field to not lose a game. As the lone representative from Florida, it beat teams from California (Mater Dei and Long Beach Poly), Illinois (East St. Louis), South Carolina (Byrnes) and Texas (Eisenhower).

In a heavily anticipated matchup between two of the top quarterbacks in the country, Murray, a University of Georgia commit, outperformed California's Mater Dei High's Matt Barkley, a USC commit, in their semifinal game. The Panthers defeated Mater Dei 32-13 to advance to the championship game.

Plant has won back-to-back 7-on-7 titles. It won last weekend's USF Sling & Shoot, topping a 46-team field of teams from all across Florida. The Panthers could make it three in a row if they receive an invitation to the adidas 7-on-7 National Championship which begins July 30 in Atlanta.

Miami Washington created a vacancy after it pulled out of the tournament following its involvement in a brawl last weekend at a Miramar event. An adidas spokesman said it is evaluating the situation and will determine at a later date if Plant will fill the spot.

SIGNINGS: Plant rising junior volleyball player Maddie Martin verbally committed to Penn State. Martin helped lead Plant to its second consecutive Class 5A state title last season with a team-high 308 kills. … Former Faith Baptist Christian senior point guard Rashard Williams signed with NAIA Tennessee Temple University.

BASEBALL: Clearwater Central Catholic right-handed pitcher Ryan Weber was selected to the 18U National Baseball Team.

Katherine Smith, Nick Williams

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