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Panthers, Chiefs will meet in district final

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Plant's Becca Marve runs the ball while being pursued by Robinson's Angela Fitmaurice, right, and Maria Dillman.

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A Tribune staff report

Published: April 27, 2009

TAMPA - There were no real surprises during Monday's District 11 semifinals, until, that is, the final minutes of the last game.

That's when Robinson converted two touchdowns of more than 50 yards and suddenly trailed Plant only 20-13. The problem: only 30 seconds remained when the Knights had their final score.

"If the game would have lasted five more minutes we would have won," Robinson coach Josh Saunders said. "But we didn't have five more minutes."

Robinson ended up losing 20-13, setting up Wednesday's much anticipated district final of Plant (9-1) against Chamberlain, which dominated in Monday's opening semifinal with a 20-6 victory over Hillsborough.

In the first meeting, Chamberlain (9-1) defeated Plant 26-8, scoring two of its touchdowns after long returns off interceptions, a staple of the Chiefs' attack.

On Monday, Chamberlain intercepted three passes, the first by dynamic freshman quarterback/defensive back Clarice Devine, who had a hand in all of Chamberlain's scores.

"I'd say we played pretty well tonight but we're going to have to play better on Wednesday," Chamberlain coach Doug Aplin said. "We just need to be a little sharper."

Scott Purks

Armwood, Plant City roll to victories

PLANT CITY - Armwood and Plant City easily won their semifinal games behind strong individual performances by both starting quarterbacks, setting up what should be a competitive final for the District 10 championship on Wednesday night.

Hawks QB Chanteonna Lumpkin threw six touchdown passes and ran for another as Armwood (8-2) rolled to a 55-6 victory over Tampa Bay Tech.

Kennisha Davis and Cieasha Soloman had two touchdown catches and the Hawks defense recorded three interceptions, two by linebacker Chanelle Newsome.

Plant City quarterback Techonqueyha Shaw was equally impressive with one TD pass, three touchdown runs and two interceptions, including one for a score, as the Raiders (10-0) routed King 40-0.

Jeff Jones

Bloomingdale, East Bay advance

VALRICO - Bloomingdale quarterback Samantha Copley said the Bulls' loss to Lennard in the team's fifth game stuck with them for the rest of the season. She said the one-point loss was something she told her teammates wouldn't happen again.

In the District 9 semifinals, she stayed true to her word as she rushed for two touchdowns and passed for one in a 19-8 win.

With her team trailing 8-7 in the fourth quarter, Copley scored on rushes of 11 and 9 yards to decide the game.

In the first semifinal, East Bay held off a last-minute Newsome drive to defeat the Wolves 12-6. Stephanie Williams threw touchdown passes to Delaney Poli (62 yards) and Layla Johnson (26 yards).

Jarrett Guthrie

Gaither, Freedom post victories

A pair of upsets marked the District 12 semifinals at Freedom.

Fourth-seeded Gaither knocked off No. 1 Alonso, 27-12, and third-seeded Freedom rolled past No. 2 Leto, 24-6.

Neither result was a total surprise. Alonso, Leto, and Freedom were 1-1 against each other and Gaither stayed close in its games against the top three seeds.

Quarterback Brittany Howell and receiver Demitria Flowers powered the Gaither offense, connecting for more than 100 yards.

Gabbie Peak scored two of her three touchdowns in the second half for Freedom to help break open a close game.

Jeff Berlinicke

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