Plant 49, Northeast 12

TAMPA - Earlier this week, Plant coach Robert Weiner did a statistical comparison between this year's team and last year's state championship squad. The results? Weiner said the numbers were eerily similar.

The Panthers' 49-12 victory against Northeast on Friday night at Dad's Stadium looked eerily similar to the nine-consecutive wins Plant racked up during the regular season.

Aaron Murray, Hillsborough County's leading passer, led the Panthers offense with six touchdown passes and 361 yards. Three of Murray's receivers had 100-yard-plus games. Recent wideout convert Lovell Jackson led with five receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Derek Winter had six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns, and Kevin James added four receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Murray ended the night one touchdown pass shy of former teammate Robert Marve's state record of 48 touchdown passes in a season.

"I think everyone kind of expects us to put up these numbers, whereas last year it was kind of a surprise," Winter said. "Now we have to match those numbers or even exceed them. We accept the challenge and if we keep it going, we can put up even higher numbers."

Plant's victory sets up a rematch with Jefferson, winners over Boca Ciega. The Panthers defeated the Dragons two weeks ago, 54-21.

Northeast, led by senior tailback Jeff Brinson's 137 rushing yards, managed to pound out 257 rushing yards against Plant. With help from junior running back Timothy Tisdale (13 carries for 70 yards), the Vikings were able to sustain drives in the second half.

But Plant's quick-strike offense proved to be too much for Northeast.

Brinson served notice to the Plant defense early on when he picked up a good chunk of his yardage on the Vikings' third play of the game. With less than a minute off the clock, Brinson sprinted up the middle untouched for a 60-yard touchdown for a 6-0 lead.

It turned out to be the Vikings' only lead.

"We have too many guys who can do too many things for us to panic when we get down," Weiner said. "We certainly didn't like to get down. To their credit, they came ready to play. They moved us around a lot when they had the ball."

Later in the third quarter, Brinson, who was nursing sore ribs, was kicked after a run and left the game momentarily. He returned later in the game, but wasn't as effective.

Northeast6600-12Plant297130-49 NE-Brinson 60 run (kick failed)

P-Harrell 85 kickoff return (Marvel kick)

P-Jackson 16 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-Jackson 50 pass from Murray (Winter run)

P-Winter 53 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

NE-Tisdale 12 run (run failed)

P-James 30 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-Winter 14 pass from Murray (Marvel kick)

P-James 37 pass from Murray (Rhodes kick)

TEAM STATISTICS NE PlantFirst downs 14 14Rushing 48-257 11-44Passing 1-7-1 16-26-364Total yards 258 405Interceptions by 0 1Sacks by 2 1Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1Penalties-yards 8-61 13-109