TOP PERFORMERS: ‘Winning Days’ Return To Plant

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From 2005 through 2018, Tampa Plant's football team was one of the best in Florida and among the elite nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With head coach <strong>Robert Weiner</strong> running the show, the Panthers were 166-25 with district, region, and state titles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Weiner left to coach at the collegiate, things started to fall off – until <strong>Hank Brown</strong> was elevated to the head position three years ago, and just like that, this program has returned as one of the top programs in 4M and in the state of Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown has been the Head Coach of Plant since April 2021, following a long tenure serving in various coaching capacities. Brown first joined the Plant coaching staff in 2004 and has served as Varsity Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line and Linebackers Coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broward and Panthers have compiled at 26-9 record and have reached the state semifinals for the first time in nearly six years with a 20-14 road with over Riverview Sumner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers will travel to Miami to play defending state champion Christopher Columbus – thanks to that win last Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the victory over the Stingrays, there were a number of standouts. Among those on defense included LB <strong>Alex Tate</strong> 18 tackles (8 solo, 6 assists, 4 sacks, 3 quarterback pressures, 4 quarterback hits, 1 pass breakup), DT <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829340' first='Ty' last='Conze']</strong> 9 tackles (3 solo, 2 assists, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, &amp; 1 QB Hit).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the offensive side of the ball, QB <strong>J.C. Mirasola </strong>(8/8 175yds Long 55 1 TD 1 2pt &amp; 10 rushes 65yds Long 21) athletic junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826467' first='Waltez' last='Clark']</strong> (9 rushes 52 yards, 1 reception 55 yards, 1 TD, 1 Tackle and 1 kickoff return for 40yds) and kicker <strong>Camilo Nanfra</strong> (2-2 field goals – 34 yards &amp; 43 yards).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Region Finals top performances:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 2 team in the nation, <strong>Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna's </strong>production in the last 20 quarters of football - 5 Shutouts, 298-0!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 S <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Bryce' last='Fitzgerald']</strong>, Miami Christopher Columbus had 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery in a Region Final win against Davie Western.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826642' first='Tramell' last='Jones Jr.']</strong> (13 of 25, 266 yards, three touchdowns) found <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223277' first='Ethan' last='Sherman']</strong> with the game-winning touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter and Jacksonville Mandarin beat Sanford Seminole on the road in a Region Final. Cornerback <strong>A.J. Belgrave-Shorter</strong>, <strong>Josiah Watkins</strong> and <strong>Jaime Ffrench</strong> and <strong>Tiant Wyche Jr.</strong> all contributed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Venice 2024 QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275843' first='Jadyn' last='Glasser']</strong>, was 17 of 19 for 361 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 rushing score in a Region Finals win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1315725' first='Chase' last='Collier'] </strong>caught two touchdown passes from <strong>D.J. Moore </strong>to help Jacksonville Bolles beat Orlando Bishop Moore. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1206198' first='Naeem' last='Burroughs']</strong> and <strong>Jacob Campen</strong> also stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404228' first='Darnell' last='Rogers']</strong> ran for two first-quarter touchdowns and Jacksonville Trinity Christian rolled to a Region Final win. <strong>Cameron Anderson </strong>also ran for a long score. In his final home game, LSU-committed quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740756' first='Colin' last='Hurley']</strong> threw touchdown passes to <strong>Jayke Jones</strong> and <strong>Lenox Hires</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 DL, <strong>Kemari Scurry</strong>, Madison County had 7 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 5 QB hurries and I tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Florida commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='940634' first='Myles' last='Graham']</strong> scored three second half touchdowns to keep Gainesville Buchholz unbeaten. <strong>Quinton Cutler</strong> also ran for touchdowns of 40 and 85 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119800' first='Duke' last='Lewis']</strong> returned a fumble for a touchdown off a <strong>Torin Brazell </strong>strip and Starke Bradford County remained unbeaten with a Region Final victory. <strong>JyQuez Cason</strong> added touchdown runs of 37 and 6 yards, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828990' first='Jeremiah' last='McKenzie']</strong> scored.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down 24-10 in the second half, Tampa Gaither relied on the running of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241226' first='Elija' last='Mason']</strong> to get back into the game. He put the Cowboys in position to score on a 32-yard touchdown pass from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827414' first='Jayce' last='Nixon']</strong> to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1247537' first='Darryon' last='Williams']</strong> and the Cowboys went on to an overtime win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second time in the past three seasons, Tampa Berkeley Prep are headed to the state semifinals. They did it by using the running tandem of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826589' first='Dallas' last='Golden']</strong> and <strong>Joseph Troupe</strong> provided the bulk of the yards – and the points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In September, Clearwater Central Catholic escaped with a 29-28 victory over Tampa Carrollwood Day. On Friday,<strong> Eduardo Cosenza</strong> hit a 23-yard field goal in the final seven seconds and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='827366' first='Jershaun' last='Newton']</strong> threw for two scores and ran for another in a thrilling 45-41 win. <strong>Keo Jenkins</strong> also added three touchdowns on the ground.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='829406' first='Jordan' last='Magwood']</strong> threw for four touchdown passes – two each to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404076' first='Bredell' last='Richardson'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404160' first='Izaiah' last='Williams']</strong> as Tampa Carrollwood Day fell short.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second time this season, Miami Norland sophomore kicker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133500' first='Noah' last='Sidan']</strong> helped the Vikings upend four-time defending state champion Miami Central. On Friday in the Region Final, he booted a 27-yarder in overtime to keep his team unbeaten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into Friday's 1M Region 4 Final, very few people felt that head coach <strong>Jorge Zagales</strong> and his Miami Archbishop Carroll had any chance to win. With no time left, Bulldog's kicker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831290' first='Ethan' last='Silva']</strong> booted the game-winner from 29 yards out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the loss to Archbishop Carroll, Miami True North Classical Academy freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377390' first='Zac' last='Katz']</strong> ended a record-breaking year by going 21 of 24 for 254 yards and 4 scores. He also rushed for 57 yards on 7 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tallahassee North Florida Christian senior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404583' first='J.P.' last='Pickles']</strong>, who led the Eagles' offense to over 3,400 yards and 39 touchdowns, stepped up, scoring a late rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, and throwing a 60-yard touchdown to <strong>Zeke Ackerman</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plantation American Heritage remained one of the top teams in the state as they beat district rival Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons for the second time this year as junior RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826450' first='Byron' last='Louis'] </strong>scored 5 times and ran for 303 yards for the Patriots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ocala Trinity Catholic advanced to its second straight state semifinal as junior QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606162' first='Preston' last='Wright']</strong> was 13 of 24 for 270 yards and a score. He found 4 different receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by <strong>Ethan Crossan's</strong> 154 yards of passing and a defense primed to stop of one the area's best running backs, the defending state champion Naples First Baptist captured Region 1S-4 championship. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='927717' first='Jayden' last='Petit']</strong> went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season with his 55 yards to reach 1,047. <strong>Sam Sparacio</strong> also rushed for 62 yards for the Lions, who won their seventh straight. Sparacio also had a touchdown run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kelby Tyre's</strong> 96-yard kickoff return with :7 seconds left lifted Fort Myers Dunbar to a stunning win against Naples.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMPA PLANT FOOTBALL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> https://prepredzone.com/florida/</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: <strong><a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/kemariscurry"><br><br></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/kemariscurry">&nbsp;</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/kemariscurry">&nbsp;</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/kemariscurry">&nbsp;</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->