There are certain dates on the calendar that require more attention that others. It could be your anniversary, a birthday, or your favorite holiday. Growing up it was the 3rd Saturday in October that signified Florida State vs. Miami while the last Saturday in October reserved for the largest outdoor cocktail party aka Florida/Georgia. On the preps level and in Hillsborough County particular, there’s always going to be one date on the schedule that gets more attention than Christmas, New Years Eve, and Easter rolled into one. For the past decade it seems to become appointment viewing for the State of Florida and even the country. Naturally, it’s Armwood vs. Plant. 

The best part about this rivalry is, well, everything. The coaches, the players, and the fans. The game is a chance for these two teams who by all accounts use the regular season as merely a tune-up for the real season that begins in Week 12 as a litmus test and an opportunity to get things right before the “great push”. Let’s face it, for these two programs winning is so entrenched in their cultures that anything less than an appearance in the final game of the season in Orlando is considered an abject failure unto itself. On the field, it’s all about the rings. Some teams celebrate district championships and one or two wins in the postseason as if they have finally arrived. A Plant or Armwood season that ends in the 2nd or 3rd Round is simply not acceptable to either and quite frankly downright awkward.

There’s a million-and-one angles you can write about a game like this. There’s the angle of Plant seeking revenge for last year’s shutout. The absence of the names like Wilder, Ely, and Posada for the Panthers. There’s the angle that it’s Armwood that possesses the bulk of the firepower with it’s road graders up front, its marquis thoroughbred lined up behind the QB in the backfield and its historically effective defense. There’s even the counterpoint that none of that means a dang thing and that it’s still Plant and don’t believe the game of possum that’s being played. In the end, it’s the hunter that becomes the hunted and these are the games that Coach Weiner and his Staff live for.

I see it as an convergence of all of those things and then some. I’m always looking for analogies for the greatest leaders of today to the greatest leaders of the past. Being a history buff, and in particular a military history buff I liken these two coaches to a delicate balance of Patton and MacArthur. Not for their personal backgrounds, but for their effectiveness in leading men (or in this case turning boys into men) and their willingness to sacrifice being the most popular figure for the most successful. In the end, there is no glory in losing to Coach Cal or Coach Weiner. It’s about the end result. You may think this is a little much for “just a game”, but Patton and MacArthur took ordinary people and made them experience extraordinary things. There’s nothing more appropriate than that is there? These are the ‘Jimmy’s and Joe’s’ that these coaches are referring to along with the X’s and O’s correct?

Then there’s the players. The famous quote from Shakespeare’s Henry V that was then made even more relevant by Easy Company from the Miniseries “Band of Brothers” really applies to the elements that will be carrying out the plans of the two Generals. If you’re not familiar with it, then here it is:

“From this day to the ending of the world…we in it shall be remembered…we band of brothers.”

I have yet to see to teams that are closer to one another as teammates, yet in such diametrical ways. If Plant’s team chemistry is the Ying, then Armwood’s team chemistry is Yang. The beauty of each is that they’re are bound by the code of brotherhood. They’re their own fraternity. They represent their own shield. It’s what’s needed when faced with the adversity many of these kids have faced in their lives off the field. For every success these two schools represent on, there’s a story about them personally or a family member that serves as a reminder that for all of the romanticism and hyperbole that surrounding this event, it’s just one aspect of life that they must face and conquer.

Both rosters are chocked full of players with chips on their shoulders for various reasons. Armwood wants to pillage, plunder, and set ablaze to the 6A Classification as consequence for their untimely defeat at the hands of Lincoln in the State Finals. Although firmly entrenched in the brotherhood, the current Plant team wants to create its own identity without the help of 4 and 5-Star recruits. Since last year it was impossible to downplay the talent level of each, (especially the exposure the Panthers received), this year seems to have been a breath of fresh air in South Tampa.

So how does it all come together then? What happens tonight? You’re probably saying that’s my job. You’re probably ready to throw something at the screen since there’s not a whole lot of “breaking down” going on in this piece. Well, if you came for some sort of intricate breakdown of Armwood’s front 7 or how Plant accounts for Alvin Bailey when in the shotgun versus split wide then I might I suggest you do your own homework. That’s for the so-called “experts.” I’ll give you this. If you think you know for sure what’s going to happen tonight, then might I suggest you call the back line at 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. and offer up some suggestions. Maybe you should purchase a lottery ticket once your done talking to Bo and his cronies. Last I checked, my crystal ball needed polishing.

Here’s what I do see however. To borrow a line from “The Art of War” when discussing the laying of plans, Sun Tzu says that “All war is based on deception.” Our entire foundation as a country was built on wars foreign and domestic from the Revolutionary War (Crossing the Delaware), to the Civil War (The Battle for Big and Little Round Top at Gettysburg) or the entrenchment around Bastogne where the 101st Airborne gave the greatest example of human resolve (in my humble opinion) that has been given to us as a society.

What I’m trying to say is that these two teams; these two programs that are characterized by often the same adjectives, the same goals, the same everything must find a way to pull something that wasn’t expected. Just as appropriate is the saying that, “If you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” The current version of these two teams could play 100 times and by the 10th, one will have figured out how to beat the other without so much as a personal change. I truly believe that. I scoff at those that think this is some sort of cake walk for the Hawks. I laugh at those that think this game is decided by the Panthers beating Armwood at their own game.

Games like this are decided by individuals that decide it’s time. It’s decided by kids that have realized this is the reason why they’re playing at programs like this and that this is their stage. Last year, it was Leon McQuay and his 3 INT’s. This year??? My guess is take a good, long look at the Generals and their staffs. Who adjusts? Who’s the first to blink without showing the sign of weakness? It won’t be easy for either. This is why journalists are better at reacting instead of predicting. No one can predict a game such as this, but alas it’s time. It’s time for this person to make the necessary choices to fulfill the assignment.

I’ve seen one power poll with Armwood as a 4-point favorite. I’ve seen another with Plant as a 2-point favorite. I’ve seen the picks on the board. It’s almost like Republicans and Democrats toting the party lines. Although neither remotely represent political entities, they are as polarizing among the people as the sun is hot and water is wet. There’s really no rhyme or reason to take the Panthers over Armwood other than using stats as a comfort. Choosing between these two is truly like choosing between my favorite foods. It comes down to what I’m in the mood for. So as the rain starts to fall predawn as I write, so does the chances of making everyone happy. Most will not like that I’m taking the Panthers in a 14-13 thriller. What they will like is to prove to me tomorrow morning that I’m a buffoon and should immediately find another line of work.

Just remember these three words from the man whom my father named me after (hence the name Douglas). “I shall return.”  Well, so shall Plant and Armwood. Back to Orlando that is.

Prediction: Plant 14  Armwood 13