There’s a thin line between love and hate and even though they are high school football programs, it is possible to conger such feelings for either Armwood or Plant. Need a lightning rod or an ice-breaker at a social function? Talk about Armwood and Plant Football. Need a divisive topic on the message boards? Talk Armwood and Plant Football. It’s my opinion that these two programs are the reason why Hillsborough County Football has risen to the level that it has and other programs and staffs know it.
Teams know that if they want to get the publicity in this county and the state that you’ve got to go to Lyle Flagg or Dad’s Stadium in order to get your respect you want. The Jefferson’s, the Hillsborough’s, the Robinson’s may all have the tradition that dates back decades, but the only traditions that matter nowadays are the ones that end in jewelry with diamonds set in the bezzle with the title “State Champions.”
The two teams are making a combined 10th appearance since 2003 with Plant making their 4th consecutive appearance in the finals. Although the Hawks haven’t won since their back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004 with their BMW Offense, the boys from Seffner are poised to avenge their shocker against Lincoln from last season while Plant is trying to get rid of the sour taste of St. Thomas Aquinas.
It’s not going to be easy since Armwood is facing the defending 6A State Champions Miami Central who are undefeated, but this is a completely different Central Rockets squad. The one constant is that the Rockets will run the ball. Last year it was Devonta Freeman, this year it’s Joseph Yearby. The Panthers are taking on Miramar who is quite frankly playing the best ball in the entire state. The Patriots won the 8A Title in 2009 against DeLand, but that was admittedly a team that came from nowhere to be the Cinderella. This year, it’s a ring or bust.
There are literally over 100 different previews from every outlet imaginable regarding today’s tilts so there’s nothing I’m going to say that you haven’t already heard or read, so let me make it so simple that even a caveman could break this down. For Armwood? Play defense. Don’t get cute and surgically strike in opportunistic fashion with Alvin Bailey. Armwood scores on defense like they did last week, that’s the difference in the game for me. I also got a “Feely” that a FG will come in just the “Nick” of time as well.
This isn’t Jeffrey Godfrey or Rakeem Cato at QB. The Rockets are young, and they’re going to make mistakes. Just make sure the number of mistakes that you make don’t come back to haunt you like they did last year. Accept that things will be tough, but suck it up and make it happen.
For Plant? Score on special teams and create short fields. Just like Armwood, your defense will win you your ring if you so choose to take it from a team that quite frankly (as written on their site and twitter feed) doesn’t think you have a snowballs chance in hell to beat them. If the Panthers can keep this within a TD going into the 4th, guaranteed somebody’s sphincters will get tight and the first one to make the mistake at that point may be the last one ending up in a one-way ticket back to Miramar or South Tampa sans jewelry.
So there it is. Your expert analysis. That’s why they pay me the big bucks folks, but seriously these two games come down the “want to”. Everybody’s good at this stage or else they wouldn’t be in the state championship. Armwood and Plant don’t need any extra motivation or focus. It’s business AND personal for each squad. The business of winning meets the personal goal of being a champion. Good luck to both, and may your best BE the best. Go get that jewelry.