This season Plant looked like a team minus the big name, sprinkled with a few hyped players and saturated with youth. Head Coach Robert Weiner went through a physical transformation and his staff changed to a degree. There was no quarterback with starting experience. The line backers were new faces and the playmakers had question marks.
Lets reiterate the answers the Panthers provided on the field:
- The Coach: As long as Robert Weiner is the head coach, the team will always take on his mentality. They will be well coached, tough and play with passion. The team has continuously improved each game because of their attention to detail, discipline and attitude.
- The QB: Rex Culpepper was handed the keys to the Plant offense and has progressed under Weiner’s teaching and produced under Weiner’s play calling. After a below average completion percentage in game one versus Lowndes (GA), Culpepper’s percentage has climbed and even hit .80 twice this season. (1683 yards, .634 comp, 18 pass TDs, 6 Ints).
- The Star: RB Patrick Brooks has developed into a star. Has carried the load for the Panthers on the ground all while rushing 126 times, 1293 yards, 10.3 yards per carry, 129.3 yards per game, 12 rushing TDs.
- The Defense: Former Jesuit head coach, James Harrell and Former Gaither defensive back coach, Ricky Reynolds joined the staff; After losing a number of key ingredients to a pretty good defensive mix the last few seasons, the Panthers have been as good as ever on that side of the ball. They have only allowed 106 points in 11 games. An average of 9.6 points to opponents each contest. After allowing 20 points in a loss to Lowndes the first game of the season, Plant has not given up more than 18 points in any game following. 8 of their 11 games, opponents have not been able to produce more than 10 points versus the Panther defense.
Speaking of defense, one player who has been crazy good for Coach Weiner’s defense, Scoop Bradshaw. The 5-11/175 2016 safety has been awesome this season. In 10 games recorded (Not including most recent), Bradshaw has 40 solo tackles, 85 total tackles which is good enough for second on the team. He has 18 tackles for loss as a safety and is averaging 8.5 tackles per game. Add on 3 sacks. The numbers show that Bradshaw is great in run support and an extension to the line backer crew at times. How about in coverage? Scoop has the speed, he covers ground and he is super athletic. His skill set has allowed him to grab 2 interceptions and 7 pass defended.
Plant will travel to undefeated Dr. Phillips on Friday for round 2 of the 2014 8A FHSAA playoffs. The Panthers own a 2-1 record the last three seasons (All Playoff Games).
2011 49-13 (W)
2012 24-7 (L)
And if you forgot how the game ended last season, CLASSIC OVERTIME GAME…..