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Plant Routs Gaither

By KATHERINE SMITH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2008

TAMPA - Allen Sampson stated in a politically correct manner that he just didn't "fit" in Gaither's offense last year. In his new Plant offense, Sampson appears to fit like a glove.

Facing his former teammates for the first time since he transferred, Sampson put up 216 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, including a 70-yard punt return for a score to help lead Plant (1-1) to a 49-7 victory against Gaither (0-2).

"He's one of those guys that you stop coaching and you're just watching," Plant coach Robert Weiner said. "On that punt return, I was just watching. He had a couple of moves I can't wait to watch in the first half."

Sampson, who had six receptions for 146 yards - more than his entire season total last year with the Cowboys - said playing in the Plant offense was like being in "heaven." Considering his quarterback Aaron Murray's numbers - 12 of 23 for 271 yards and four touchdowns - it's no wonder the junior wideout enjoys his new digs.

Murray helped lead the Plant offense by getting a number of players involved.

As elated as Plant players were following their game, Gaither was just as dejected, especially Coach Mark Kantor. Disappointed in his team's effort, the frustration from Kantor was clearly evident.

"We're in the same boat we were in last year," Kantor said of his team's 0-2 start. "We ain't got guys that want to. Plant's got guys that want to."

Without starting tailback Jarvis Giles, who missed his second consecutive game with a strained hamstring, Gaither's offense aired it out more. Quarterback Kamren Hawkins finished the game 11 of 15 for 175 yards and one touchdown.

In one series during the second quarter that basically summed up the Cowboys' night, Gaither's defense had actually backed up Plant deep in the Panthers' territory with a sack. But then Murray connected with Sampson for a 17-yard reception to set up fourth-and-1, which the quarterback converted with a 2-yard run.

Later in the series, following another sack, Murray scrambled and eluded several sack opportunities on third-and-15 at Gaither's 41-yard line and found Sampson across the middle of the field. Sampson escaped several tackles and ran into the end zone for his second score of the night.

The Cowboys responded on the ensuing possession when quarterback Hawkins found tight end Justin Lattimore over the middle for a 72-yard touchdown for Gaither's only score of the game.