Tampa Plant Players Remain Hungry

After stepping down following a 2-6 season, <strong>Cyril Brockmeier</strong> departs a program that find itself in a very unfamiliar position. If you have followed the Plant Panthers over the past two decades, you will see a program that won four state titles and were a force in any event they attended. In this changing world of high school football, Plant still has the pieces to get things moving again – at a time when private and charter schools are getting a larger slice of the pie than ever before. But before everyone starts to push the panic button, let us all understand that this is still an attractive public school job – with the athletes still trying to rekindle some of the past successes. The Panthers are not that far removed from being a playoff race, and the hiring of a new head coach will only enhance how hard these athletes have worked in the off-season – with Interim Head Coach &amp; Offensive Coordinator <strong>Hank Brown </strong>and other coaches getting this program better. Just one look at last year’s roster will tell you that this was not what Plant teams of the past thrived on, but that appears to be changing. Class of 2022 rising seniors are primed to continue to elevate the program. Prospects such as <strong>E.J. Crawford </strong>(RB/DB, 5-10, 175), <strong>Peter Essad</strong> (WR/DB, 5-7. 160), <strong>J.P. Matos-Florentino</strong> (K/P, 5-10, 180 – 4.0 GPA), <strong>Tyler Girsch</strong> (FS/WR, 6-3, 177 – 4.07 GPA – 1450 SAT) and promising quarterback <strong>Jack Lennon </strong>(6-2, 180 – 3.63 GPA) have worked hard – in and out of the classroom. In addition, <strong>John Owens</strong> (TE/LB, 6-3, 200 – 3.99 GPA), <strong>Chris Perkins</strong> (RB, 5-9, 185 – 2.78 GPA), <strong>Nathan Powell</strong> (DB, 6-0, 180 – 3.56 GPA), <strong>Nicholas Powell</strong> (DB/LB, 6-1, 220 – 3.11 GPA), <strong>Daniel Timmer</strong> (OL/DL, 6-3, 295, 2.88 GPA – 1080 SAT) and versatile <strong>Gabe Tormin</strong> (FB/LB, 3.40 GPA – 1350 SAT) are all looking ahead to spring. <strong>UNDERCLASS DEPTH WILL HELP</strong> If you have followed this program for any length of time, you will see plenty of players on the sideline. Participation at this school has always been high – and the Class of 2023 will reflect that. Prospects like <strong>Devin Andrews</strong> (LB, 6-0, 185 – 3.83 GPA), <strong>Brady Berlin</strong> (WR, 6-1, 185 – 3.92 GPA), <strong>Jaden Davis </strong>(FS/DB/WR, 5-11, 145 – 3.32 GPA), <strong>A.J. Durham</strong> (WR, 5-6, 135 - .6 GPA),<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="126602" first="[player_tooltip player_id="126602" first="[player_tooltip player_id="126602" first="Luke" last=""]" last=""]" last=""] Gisclair</strong> (QB, 6-0, 175 – 3.83 GPA), <strong>Austin Hills</strong> (OL/DL, 6-5, 265 – 3.14 GPA), <strong>Jaquez Kindall</strong> (Athlete/RB/QB, 5-10, 175), <strong>Derek Owens II</strong> (RB/WR, 5-9, 155), Owen Owens (LB, 6-2, 200 – 3.58 GPA) and linebacker <strong>Nelson Smith</strong> (LB, 6-0, 185) are anxious to step up after a rough 2020 season. Like the Class of 2023, there are some special future standouts for the Panthers in the rising sophomore group, who had a rocky freshman season. Among those who will get a good look this spring include <strong>Joey Gilbert</strong> (OL/DL, 6-1, 200 – 4.05 GPA), <strong>Bryson Goodwin</strong> (WR, 6-0, 165 – 3.0 GPA), <strong>Talon Hughes</strong> (QB, 5-11, 185 – 3.86 GPA), <strong>Chase Jarrett</strong> (LB/SS/RB, 5-10, 160 – 3.98 GPA), <strong>Chris Lee</strong> (DB/RB, 5-7, 155 – 2.74 GPA), <strong>Trey O’Malley </strong>(QB, 6-0, 150 – 3.54 GPA) and receiver <strong>Cooper White</strong> (5-9, 150 – 3.87 GPA) <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>