By the time Plant and Robinson kicked off their South Tampa rivalry game, most of the drama had played out. The lightning detection system finally relented, the waiting fans were allowed to file into their seats, the teams warmed up and prepared to play. And, notwithstanding the dark clouds that seemed to have Dad’s Stadium surrounded, the game began. Undramatically, the Panthers continued their domination over the Knights with a 28 – 7 victory to up their record to 1-0-1. Robinson dropped their second game of the young season and fell to 0-2.
Celebrating Military Appreciation Night, the Panthers took the opening kick off and appeared to have their air attack on high alert. Senior quarterback Colby Brown hit junior receiver Jordan Reed with a long pass, but the drive stalled and Plant was forced to punt. Robinson responded with an opening drive of short passes to move the ball into Plant territory. The drive came to an end when Wisconsin commit Austin Hudson picked off his first pass of the season.
Plant put together a tidy drive that culminated with a touchdown pass from Brown to junior Clarke Miller , who managed to out-leap the Knight defender in the back potion of the end zone. Brown then found senior linebacker/tight end Andrew Beck in just about the same spot of the end zone with the 2-point conversion and the Panthers took an 8-0 lead.
The two teams then traded unsuccessful drives and wasted opportunities to close out the opening quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, a snap over the head of Robinson’s punter rolled through the end zone and Plant was awarded a safety and led 10-0. However, Plant was unable to capitalize on the opportunity, as the ensuing kick was fumbled.
A few punts later, running backs Alex Jackson and Trey Gilbert combined to lead Plant’s ground attack. Jackson hit pay dirt with a 51-yard run and then added the 2-point conversion to give the Panthers an 18-0 lead. Robinson then used a converted fake punt to put them in field goal range, but a 44-yard field goal attempt in the waning minutes of the first half was partially deflected and the teams went into the locker room at half time with Plant leading 18-0.
The Panthers struck first in the second half. After forcing Robinson to punt, and operating behind sophomore QB Rex Culpepper (filling in for an injured Colby Brown), Plant moved the ball downfield. Fellow sophomore Trey Gilbert slashed through the hold created by Plant’s offensive line and raced 27 yards for a touchdown. John Houston’s extra point was good and Plant had themselves a 25-0 lead.
Robinson’s Brandon Peters showed that he is offer-worthy by returning the ensuing kick off 60 yards. The Panther defense was able to contain Knight running back Michael Duclos and when they went to the air, Plant was ready. Junior Derrick Baity, getting his first action of the young season, picked off his first pass of the season, as well.
Once again, the teams traded punts. Plant began the final drive of the 3rd quarter at its own 40 yard line. Culpepper twice hit senior Fletcher Barnes with 6-yard completions to move the sticks and at least four Plant running backs ran the ball on this drive. Eventually, a chop block penalty against the Panthers stalled the drive and Houston connected on a 40-yard field goal to open the 4th quarter.
The Knights got on the board a short while later when Robert Priester came down with QB Travis Forehand’s high, arching pass to cut the lead to 28-7. Behind almost 50 yards rushing from senior running back Jake Buxton, the Panthers were able to control the ball and run out the clock in the final several minutes of the game.
The Panthers return to action next Thursday night when they travel north on Dale Mabry to play Gaither.
– Robert Barnes