Plant came up short in its efforts to defend the championship titles it won at last year’s Heath Evans Invitational 7 on 7 Tournament and Linemen’s Challenge. In 7 on 7 play, Plant finished pool play undefeated, chalking up decisive wins over John I. Leonard and Blanche Ely. Plant spread the ball out, with all four quarterbacks (Aaron Banks, Kyle Groh, Kyle Ploucher and Colby Brown) getting playing time. Wesley Bullock, Cam Winter, KJ Walker, Alex Jackson, Tristan Cooper and Fletcher Barnes all caught touchdown passes in the morning pool-play wins. But, he afternoon was a different story. In bracket play, Plant fell to a determined Wellington team that dinked and dunked their way to 26 – 23 victory over the defending champs. Both offenses were firing on all cylinders and neither defense was able to come up with a stop. Wellington capitalized on the extra possession they got by virtue of winning the opening coin toss and walked away with the upset victory.

In the Linemen’s Challenge, Plant defensive end Mitchell Wright traded last year’s gold for this year’s silver. Wright fell victim to a slippery obstacle course and was unable to defend his first place finish in the same event last year. However, Wright managed to scoop up a second place finish in the tire flip. As a group, Plant’s linemen also finished second in the 5-Man Sled competition and second overall behind a strong Miramar squad, a flip-flop of last year’s overall results.

Plant is scheduled to return to the field this Saturday to participate in the Sling ‘n’ Shoot 7 on 7 tournament at USF.

Bob Barnes, BCP Contributor