Plant

By Mike Camunas
Published August 31, 2007

Multiple Choice

In 2007, Plant will:

A) See new quarterback Aaron Murray become one of the county's top passers

B) See RB/CB Lovell Jackson lead the county in all-purpose yards

C) Regress mightily

D) A and B

Answer: D is the most logical. Coach Bob Weiner has enough faith in Murray to accomplish A, but has even more confidence in option B since Jackson has plenty of playing experience. Weiner said Jackson is a dangerous threat because he can run the ball out of the backfield, line up as a receiver and, with the help of teammate Cornelius Gallon, make a formidable duo with kickoff returns. Jackson had 1,289 all-purpose yards in 2006, along with 13 touchdowns.

True-False

Murray will be just as good as reigning Mr. Football/Miami signee/local celebrity Robert Marve.

Answer: Is there middle ground here? According to Weiner, "the reason that Marve is the greatest quarterback in the city of Tampa is because he's the only quarterback in the city of Tampa since 1969 that's led his team to a state championship. That's not (Murray's) goal, and that's not my goal for him (to replace Marve)." Weiner says Murray "has all the tools and talent to be a great quarterback."

Yes or No

Will Plant be the team everybody wants to beat?

Answer: Darn straight. Each team the Panthers face wants bragging rights as the first team to topple the defending Class 4A champ. "You know you've arrived somewhere when you're the team everyone wants to beat," Weiner said. "But even with going 15-0 and the state championship, I like to think that our kids realize the 2007 team hasn't done anything yet."e_SClBEssay:

Armwood coach Sean Callahan on Plant:

"They're the best team in Hillsborough County. I mean, they lost Robert Marve, but they still return an incredible nucleus that Coach Weiner's building around. I understand they have a very good quarterback, and they've got a solid coaching staff."

Weiner on the Panthers:

"We talked about (winning a state title) before last season, and we're not not going to talk about it this season. That's our goal."

Mike Camunas, Times correspondent

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 15:22:43]