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Plant Gets Defensive Against Chamberlain

By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: November 1, 2008

Updated: 11/01/2008 12:36 am

TAMPA - Chamberlain coach Billy Turner always has had great respect for Plant's offense. On Friday night, Turner came away with a new-found respect for the Panthers' defense.

Plant defeated Chamberlain 27-13 with a heavy dose of smothering defense and an opportunistic offense.

"They made us look bad on offense," Turner said. "We did some bad things ourselves, but they had a lot to do with it."

Plant (7-1) capitalized on two Chamberlain turnovers in the first half, the first a fumble recovered by defensive lineman Austin Clark that set up a 41-yard field goal by Tyler Rhodes. The Panthers then forced a three-and-out, including a sack of Dontae Aycock on third down, that set up the offense with good field position and resulted in another field goal.

Chamberlain (8-1) fumbled the ensuring kickoff on its 7-yard line, and Plant tight end Orson Charles ran it in on first-and-goal to give the Panthers a 13-0 lead.

Play was delayed nearly 30 minutes in the second quarter while medical crews tended to a Plant player's grandfather in the stands. Chamberlain finally scored in the first half when Aycock scrambled on third-and-10 and connected with Anthony Williams for a 47-yard touchdown.

In his second start at quarterback, Plant sophomore Phillip Ely (13 of 28, 200 yards, one touchdown, one interception) left the game midway through the third quarter with a left hand injury. Backup DeAndre Queen came in and hit Charles with a 29-yard touchdown pass, his third score of the game. Ely returned later in the third quarter.

Chamberlain pulled within 14 points late in the third when Dametrius Turner blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. But Plant's defense clamped down and keep the Chiefs out of the end zone the rest of the game. Aycock was held to minus-2 yards rushing and 138 yards passing.

"We really knocked some people around," Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

"Our defense has just been tremendous and, of course, they don't get enough credit because of the number of points we put on the board. Chamberlain might be, weapon-wise, one of the best offenses that we have faced or will face. ... We felt like we had to set the tone on defense."