Plant 48, Alonso 6, Final

Plant coach Robert Weiner has been waiting for the "lights" to come on for his team.

They came on Thursday night and shined brightly in a 48-6 running-clock victory against Alonso (5-2, 1-1) at Dad's Stadium.

The win, coupled with Bloomingdale's loss to Wharton, clinched the Class 8A-District 6 title for the Panthers (7-0, 2-0), their seventh-straight district championship.

"We've played a lot of night games, but we hadn't metaphorically turned on the lights yet," Weiner said. "I think we upped our intensity a notch. We were able to play in some situations that we were much more successful in responding."

It's the second loss in a row for Alonso, but the Ravens aren't out of the playoff hunt. A victory against Wharton in two weeks would secure the 8A-6 runner-up position and a postseason spot for the Ravens.

Plant got on the board early and often behind a strong running game, led by junior back Wesley Bullock's 129 rushing yards, and a passing attack, led by senior quarterback James Few (15 of 19 for 275 yards, two touchdowns). En route to a 28-6 halftime lead, Plant accumulated 326 yards of total offense. They finished with 504 offensive yards.

Alonso, hampered by four turnovers and 10 penalties, including four personal fouls, managed only 44 rushing yards and 117 passing.

After Plant scored on two of its first three possessions in the first quarter, including Bullock's 34-yard run, Alonso responded with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Hawkins to Brandon Holloway. Two series later, Plant capitalized on one of the Ravens' personal fouls and scored its third TD, a Tate Rogers one-yard run, to go up 21-6.

The Panthers recovered a fumble on Alonso's ensuing possession and turned it into another touchdown for a 28-6 halftime lead.

Plant opened the third quarter with an interception by senior defensive back Keenan Stalls on the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter and converted that turnover for yet another touchdown.

Alonso fumbled the ball on the next series, which was followed by Few connecting with Paris Bostic for a 72-yard touchdown reception to give the Panthers a 35-point lead, good enough for a running clock.

"It's the kind of energy I want to see the entire game," Weiner said, "and that's what we haven't had the last couple of weeks."

 
P-Bullock 34 run (Van Aman kick)
P-Crawford 14 run (Van Aman kick)
A-Holloway 65 pass from Hawkins (kick failed)
P-Rogers 1 run (Van Aman kick)
P-Few 1 run (Van Aman kick)
P-Jackson 7 pass from Few (Van Aman kick)
P-Bostic 72 pass from Few (kick failed)
P-Banks 6 run (W. Few kick)