Chris Girandola
Plant advanced to the state finals for the fourth consecutive year with a 26-7 victory over Neptune Beach Fletcher in Friday night’s Class 8A semifinals thanks to an impressive kicking game, steady quarterbacking and a defense that came up with timely plays to secure the win. The Panthers will face Miramar Saturday at 7:30 pm in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
GRANT VAN AMAN: A week after missing a 49-yard field goal that would have beaten East Lake in regulation, the senior kicker was brilliant — and key — for the Panthers, converting kicks of 42, 30, 45 and 47 yards. Van Aman was booting kicks from over 50 yards during pregame and halftime and there was one point in the third quarter when the Panthers had the ball on Fletcher’s 36-yard line and I thought Plant coach Robert Weiner would send Van Aman out there. But he didn’t, considering the Panthers had a substantial lead by then. I asked Van Aman following the game if he has any offers, but he does not. He has received interest from several Ivy League schools, but the accuracy and length he showed on his kicks should attract FBS programs. Alabama and Boise State could have used a kicker like Van Aman this season.
ANTONIO CRAWFORD: Crawford admittedly had a mediocre first half. There were moments when he let a few wide receivers get open in the flat and the Georgia Tech-signee knew he had to fix his mistakes. “I told myself at halftime to clean up my act or else I’d get beat and hurt the team.” Alas, Crawford did and he showed in the second half why he has been an elite athlete throughout his career at Plant. He broke up a few passes before coming up with a timely interception around the Plant 40-yard line with Fletcher driving and trailing 12-0. Crawford zig-zagged his way downfield and almost scored before being knocked out-of-bounds on the 1-yard line. A play later, Mike Tate scored on a run for his first touchdown of the season. Later, with Plant leading 26-7, Crawford teamed up with Drew Madlu to hit a Fletcher receiver in the end zone to knock the ball away. “I knew I had to make something happen and come up with a play in the second half. Grant was doing everything for us on offense and I just wanted to make that play that helped the team go to the state finals again.”
JAMES FEW: Few was steady and efficient, but more importantly, mistake-free. He completed 9-of-15 passes for 62 yards in the first half to help set up three of Van Aman’s field goals. He then put the Panthers into Fletcher territory on Plant’s first possession of the second half that led to Van Aman’s fourth field goal of the game. He finished the game 12-of-20 for 101 yards.
WELSEY BULLOCK: Bullock was amazing coming out of the backfield, rushing for 147 yards on just 12 carries. The 5-foot-6 junior was Wes Welker-like, finding holes here and scooting past defenders all night. His size might be holding back offers, but this spring and summer should begin seeing heavy interest from college coaches.