Wake-Up Call: Plant quartet looks to go out in style

The Wake-Up Call greets you each weekday with news, views and a few Tampa Bay area sports offerings to anticipate for the day and night. We encourage suggestions and contributions.

Good morning!

Three years ago, they were freshmen, just 14 and 15 years old, called up from the junior varsity team. They stood on the sideline at Dolphins Stadium, watching Robert Marve lead a stirring comeback for Plant High School's first state football championship.

Tonight, they are more than spectators. Tonight, they can be part of Plant's third state football championship.

They are Plant's first four-year lettermen in Coach Robert Weiner's tenure - cornerback Javonte Martin, linebacker Mike Mirabella, offensive lineman Andre Mondor and receiver/defensive back DeAndre Queen - and they have left an unmistakable mark on the program.

Tonight, if the Panthers (12-1) defeat the Manatee Hurricanes (13-1) in the Class 5A state-championship game at Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl, their four-year accomplishments will be unmatched in Hillsborough County football history.

• Three state titles.

• Three regional championships.

• Four district championships.

• Playoff record of 17-1.

• And an overall four-season mark of 53-4.

"That's pretty amazing for a four-year group at one school," Weiner said.

Wednesday night at Dad's Stadium, Queen found his mind wandering during his last full-pads workout on the home field.

"I was walking off and turned back to look at the field," Queen said. "Where did the time go? I'll be honest, I wanted to have a sleepover at the field right then. I didn't want to leave. I wished I could just lie down at midfield and think about it all."

"This place has been like my second home," Mirabella said. "It hit me in the middle of practice. 'This is it.' You're living in the moment, but you know you've been part of something really, really special."

"I was going through practice, just remembering all the things that happened," Martin said. "I could see Robert Marve, Derek Winter, Cornelius Gallon, Orson Charles. I could see them in my mind."

"Nothing lasts forever," Mondor said. "Everybody has to move on. But we'll never forget this place."

Plant's football program will not forget this special quartet, either.

Here's one last look:

Javonte Martin, cornerback (5-9, 155).

He's the lockdown corner, the energy source, the guy with non-stop chatter.

He has three interceptions, a team-leading 18 passes defended and 40 tackles.

"Bravado - with the ability to back it up," Weiner said. "He has a lot to say, yes. But he has had plenty to do with our success."

Mike Mirabella, linebacker (6-0, 205).

He's the heart and soul of Plant's defense.

He has team-leading 130 tackles. He also has 11 sacks, 38 tackles for a loss and two interceptions.

"He's the most instinctive player I've ever coached," Weiner said. "Tremendous motor. Tremendous passion for the game."

Andre Mondor, offensive lineman (6-4, 315).

Earth-mover who's one of the biggest reasons for Plant's offensive success.

Part of a line that has helped T.J. Glover and James Wilder, Jr. (among others) to average 7.92 yards per carry and score 38 touchdowns on the ground.

"He's Mr. Consistency," Weiner said. "If you look at any of his films, they are all the same. His play stays at the same high level."

DeAndre Queen, wide receiver/defensive back (5-9, 175).

Wild-card athlete. He's primarily a receiver and defensive back. But he's the holder on place-kicks. He has taken snaps from the Wildcat formation. He has played linebacker and returned kicks.

Queen is Plant's second-leading receiver (26 receptions for 334 yards and four touchdowns). He has rushed for 229 more (averaging 7.9 yards per carry).

"He's the rock," Weiner said. "When everything else has played itself out, we go to him. He can do it a lot and he's always reliable."

Catanach honorable mention All-American

Duke University sophomore setter Kellie Catanach (Plant) has earned honorable mention All-American status from the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Catanach, also All-East Region and All-ACC, helped the Blue Devils (27-6, 17-3 ACC) to their fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and a second-place finish in the conference.

Catanach had 1,277 assists, 104 kills and a career-high 28 service aces.

Milestone for Anthony Allen?

Georgia Tech junior running back Anthony Allen (Jesuit), who helped the Yellow Jackets win the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 5 at Raymond James Stadium, is preparing for the Jan. 5 Orange Bowl game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

For Allen, who has rushed for 597 yards (9.8-yard average) and five touchdowns, that represents a unique opportunity.

Allen played in the 2007 Orange Bowl for Louisville in a 24-13 victory against Wake Forest and scored two touchdowns.

So he can not only play in the same bowl game for two different teams, he also has a chance to score touchdowns in the same bowl game for two different teams.

"I hope that can happen," Allen said. "I had a great time at the Orange Bowl with Louisville and those are some of my best memories. If we can win the Orange Bowl again, I couldn't think of a better way to finish this season."

Especially if he finds the end zone.

Forsett faces the Bucs

Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett, who once played at Mulberry High School, is looking forward to Sunday's game against his old hometown team, the Bucs.

Forsett's family moved to Texas in 2002 when his father, Rodney, became minister at a new church. Forsett finished high school at Grace Prep in Arlington, Texas. He earned a scholarship to the University of California.

Forsett, who has rushed for 420 yards (5.2-yard average) and four touchdowns with the Seahawks, has relatives in Mulberry, Lakeland and Bartow.

When Forsett began youth football in Polk County, he played for a team called the Buccaneers.

Late holiday gift idea

Two books that recap the New York Yankees' run to the 2009 World Series championship are available at www.yankees.com.

"Twenty-Seven: The Official Yankees World Series Championship Commemorative" is a hardcover coffee-table book that's loaded with photographs and articles about New York's season. It retails for $25.

"Yankees Magazine - World Series Commemorative" is a soft-cover book ($14.95) that has more photos and articles about the Yankees, plus a piece about how Tiffany and Co., manufacture the annual World Series trophy.

Henson plays the big stage

University of North Carolina men's basketball freshman John Henson (Sickles) has played in 10 college games. Already, he has visited Madison Square Garden and Kentucky's Rupp Arena.

Next up: Saturday afternoon's date at Texas - in the first college-basketball game ever held at mammoth Cowboys Stadium.

Birthday wishes

Happy birthday to former Rays closer Lance Carter, a graduate of Bradenton's Manatee High School and a member of the 2003 American League All-Star Team. Carter was just named pitching coach for Class A Williamsport of the New York-Penn League. Today, Carter turns 35.

The Answer Man

Here's the answer to Thursday's trivia question:

Auburn University's football program is participating in Tampa's Hall of Fame Bowl/Outback Bowl for the third time - with its third different head coach. This time, against Northwestern on New Year's Day, it's Gene Chizik. When Auburn defeated Ohio State on Jan. 1, 1990, it was Pat Dye. When Auburn lost against Penn State on Jan. 1, 1996, it was Terry Bowden.

Holiday break

We're out of trivia questions for now (mercifully?). The Wake-Up Call is taking a holiday break. Thanks for your contributions and feedback throughout the year. Happy holidays to all! See you in 2010.