On Friday, South Tampa will be jam packed with Plant Panther faithful and Jesuit supporters. The fight between the cats will be played between the lines on Friday, but this war has plenty of battles in their history.

Plant has dominated the series. During the years of 1933 and 1988, Plant won 14 straight contests between the two programs. In 1933 and 1934, Plant took down Jesuit, which was known as Tampa College, by a combined score of 58-0. Then posting 7 shutouts in the next 10 contests starting in 1945 after Tampa College became Jesuit.

There were a number of breaks in the series. All seeing Plant as the more dominant team. But Jesuit eventually took down the Panthers 1993 and 1994 under head coach Dominick Ciao who led the Tigers to a 9-2 season and a Horizon Bowl win versus Brandon winning 10-6. In 1994, Dominick Ciao led Jesuit to a 9-2 record and entering the playoffs as the district runner-up. Plant in 1993 was 1-9 under legendary coach, Roland Acosta. Backing that up with another lose to Jesuit and an overall 3-7 record in 1994.

This year the Plant Panthers are lead by State Champion ship coach, Robert Weiner, whose accomplishments are well documented. Jesuit will take field under second year head Jesuit football coach James Harrell, who guided the Tigers to an 11-1 season and district championship; best season at Jesuit since 2002 (2002 11-2 HC Dominick Ciao District Champions).

Plant leads the all-time series 14-2 but Jesuit has won the last 2 games including the victory in 1994 which was Coach Roland Acosta’s final game. Below is the series between Jesuit and Plant.

Jesuit known as Tampa College
1933 Plant 25-0
1934 Plant 33-0

Jesuit as Jesuit
1945 Plant 14-7
1946 Plant 27-0
1947 Plant 20-0
1954 Plant 54-0
1955 Plant 47-13
1962 Plant 35-0
1963 Plant 6-0
1977 Plant 28-0
1985 Plant 20-13
1986 Plant 21-0
1987 Plant 10-7
1988 Plant 21-7
1993 Jesuit 31-13
1994 Jesuit 23-14