Brandon 48, Plant City 36, Final

There was utter disbelief at Raider Stadium on Friday night.

Plant City, ranked by one poll as the 25th best team in Florida, was riding an undefeated record into a matchup against Brandon, a team that owned just three wins through the ninth week of the season. With a win, the Raiders would clinch the Class 7A District 8 championship.
   
The Eagles, however, had other plans.

Brandon stunned Plant City, 48-36, forcing a three-way tie for first place in the district. Though they've lost five games, the Eagles had only one district loss.

"All week, we focused on getting the ball off, our passes (and) runs, so beating an 8-0 team and we're like 3-5…I love my team and I love what we did tonight," said Brandon quarterback Alan Knippel.

Knippel finished the game a perfect 10-of-10 for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

"We came together for the first time and beat a very talented team," Knippel said.

Brandon (4-4, 3-1) led 35-0 midway through the third quarter when Plant City senior quarterback Bennie Coney single handedly led his team back into the game. Coney, who finished with 351 passing yards and five touchdown passes along with three sacks and two interceptions, helped Plant City (8-1, 3-1) outscore the Eagles 36-13 in the second half.

"For us, it was a must win," Brandon coach John Lima said. "We had to win this one to have a chance to win district and then we needed some help depending on what happens (Friday). We put ourselves in a position to possibly be first and we needed help from other people, but I think it guarantees us either a first or second spot for now and then next week we have to play East Bay."

Brandon senior running back Tyrell Garner did everything possible to help his team win, rushing for 123 yards with two touchdowns, throwing a touchdown pass and intercepting a pass on defense.

"We worked hard for it and we wanted it, so we came out for it" Garner said.

Cyrus Dooley added 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Brandon while Johhny Guyton had two receiving touchdowns. Brandon lost three fumbles on the night. Joe Davis led all Plant City receivers with 93 yards and a touchdown.

Plant City hosts Newsome next week in a must-win situation.

"I believe we can make the playoffs," Knippel said. "I have faith in my team that no matter what, we'll do good."

"I love this team, so we're going to fight to the end," Garner said.

 
B – Dooley 3 run (Cope kick)
B – Garner 23 run (Cope kick)
B – Garner 3 run (Cope kick)
B – Guyton 37 pass from Garner (Cope)
B – Laidler 10 pass from Knippel (Cope kick)
P – Wiggins 5 pass from Coney (Roberts kick)
B -- Dooley 55 run (kick failed)
P – Galloway 10 pass from Coney (Roberts kick)
P – Davis 9 pass from Coney (Galloway pass from Coney)
B – Guyton 5 pass from Knippel (Cope kick)
P – Gonzalez 59 pass from Coney (Coney run)
P – Forte 3 pass from Coney (pass failed)