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Balanced Panthers Make It Look Easy

By KATHERINE SMITH

ksmith@tampatrib.com

Published: November 22, 2008

TAMPA - Plant coach Robert Weiner walked off the field Friday night soaked from head to toe after a water cooler incident with his players.

"We're going to have to talk to our kids about proper dousing procedures and times to do stuff like that," Weiner said, laughing. "That was a playoff win so they were excited.

"They had some playoff intensity and they were ready for it."

Coupling a smothering defense with a balanced offensive attack, Plant defeated Lakewood 67-7 in a Class 4A regional quarterfinal at Dad's Stadium. The Panthers quickly pounced on the Spartans, building a 40-7 halftime lead.

Plant's offense, led by sophomore quarterback Phillip Ely (17-for-31 for 231 yards and four touchdowns), senior tight end Orson Charles (7 receptions for 90 yards and one touchdown) and senior tailback Marco Cobb (8 carries for 53 yards and two touchdowns) scored on eight of 13 possessions.

Even without leading receiver Allen Sampson, who was sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained earlier in the week, the Panthers were able to spread it around.

"It was really good right from the start," Weiner said. "The way that we can throw the football, when you're able to run the ball like that, it opens up a lot of things for us."

The Panthers defense limited the Spartans to only four first downs and 115 yards of offense. Lakewood entered averaging 30 points a game. Without starting quarterback Jacquez Jenkins, who injured his knee last week, the Spartans tried three different players under center, none of them having much success.

"We were out to make a statement," Plant co-defensive coordinator James Harrell said. "Fortunately, the ball rolled our way. Guys went out and executed the game plan.

"I'm just proud of them for doing all the things we ask them to do."

Now the Panthers will travel to Bradenton on Friday to take on Southeast. The Seminoles beat Jefferson, 14-7, in another regional quarterfinal and will face a Plant team fresh off one of its biggest victories.

"That was playoff football from the get-go," Weiner said. "The weather turned a little bit and our guys got a little frisky and excited and that's the way we want to be. Every game you've got to earn the next minute, you've got to earn the next week and we really came out and earned it tonight."