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Plant City advances to state finals

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By SCOTT PURKS

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 6, 2009

PLANT CITY - It wasn't that East Bay played badly in Tuesday's regional final flag football game. It was that Plant City was simply too fast and too athletic.

Most of the damage was done by the Raiders' usual suspects, quarterback Quet Shaw and running back/wideout Nika Walker, who each scored touchdowns enroute to a 26-6 victory.

"We started a little sloppy tied at 6 after the first quarter, but then we settled in and started playing," Plant City coach Randy Harris said. "When you're one game away from making a return trip to the state tournament beginning Friday in Boca Raton, I think it makes a difference.

"It's been our goal all season to get back to the final and I think tonight we just got wrapped up in the moment when the game started."

After the first quarter, Plant City (14-0) was on offensive auto pilot while barely allowing East Bay past midfield.

East Bay ended its season 9-3, but still felt pretty good about its future with all but two senior starters returning for next season.

"We had to play perfect and we had to control the tempo in order to beat Plant City tonight," East Bay coach Mike Cooper said. "When we had a little letdown, Plant City took advantage and then the game got away from us."

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