Stop me if you’ve heard this one. The Plant Panthers are State Champions. Hillsborough County finished Saturday with a clean sweep as Plant finished off the Miramar Patriots in dominating fashion 30-21 holding the Patriots to -4 yards of rushing and keeping the Miramar Offense to 0-for-10 on 3rd Down Conversions. From start to finish, the night belonged to the Panthers even when things got a little hot under the collar. One thing (actually two things) that we learned tonight is don’t back a wounded animal into a corner and don’t tug on superman’s cape.
One word to describe the night (and the season for that matter) is comprehensive. From the game plan to the execution, all the way to the marching bands, it was a night painted in black and gold. The Panthers took the ball from the opening kickoff and went 6 plays 63 yards ending with a man-sized run from one of the smallest guys on the field in Wesley Bullock.
Apparently Matt Johnson and John Few are pretty good at what they do. Of course to a Plant Fan, that’s the biggest understatement of the year. It’s also a pretty big understatement that the state of Hillsborough County Football is shining brighter than sun and along with Matt Thompson down the road in Seffner the motto of the “Big County” is defense wins championships. Period. The athletes may com e and go, but the coaching lasts. Want to know why they’re successful? Aside from some pretty damn good players, try consistency at the coaching position.
It’s one thing to consistently win, but to consistently play for titles (Bob Weiner now has his 4th in the last 6 years in 3 different classifications, Sean Callahan now has his 3rd.) is a whole different ball of wax. In case you’re counting at home, that’s seven titles in the last eight years between the two schools. Add the fact that Hillsborough County once again had teams either one game from Orlando or in the regional finals and it’s time to start legitimately putting Hillsborough County into the conversations about where the top talent in Florida is coming from.
Let’s even widen the scope and look at the Tampa Bay Area. Look at Pasco and Lakeland. Take a look at the Admiral Farragut’s (title game not withstanding) and especially across the Skyway Bridge into Bradenton. There are now currently 3 state champions residing less than 40 minutes from Downtown Tampa. There used to be a time when the college coaches recruiting the Bay only went to a handful of schools. Now? They need to be here for 4 and 5 days at a time and have to make multiple trips at that.
Do “we” have a long way to go? Yes and no. Plant and Armwood do what they do, which is compete for and win rings. That’s just two programs though. When Hillsborough County gets to the point where teams beyond just the two that played this weekend are winning jewelry then it’s officially time to change out the trophy on the mantle for best in the state. It takes a special kind of team to play (and beat) Dade and Broward County teams. More so Dade than Broward, but we’re getting there folks. Plant and Armwood proved that the teams from the south aren’t gods. Their kids are just like ours. They can be beaten as badly as the rest of them.
Said it before and I’ll say it again. This county needs these two programs. They’re making everybody look good and bad. It’s the nature of the beast. Step your game up Hillsborough. The rest of the state is on notice. Trust me. I sat and listened to people ask exponential questions about you. They’re nervous. It’s time for someone (in addition to) Armwood and Plant to get jewelry.