Preps

Football: They've caught on

After their state title run, Plant receivers Cornelius Gallon and Derek Winter remain valuable weapons.

By JOE SMITH
Published October 12, 2007

TAMPA - Five days after Plant's magical run to the state championship concluded, the Panthers' big three started the sequel. ¶ Junior quarterback Aaron Murray met with senior receivers Cornelius Gallon and Derek Winter at 5:30 a.m. every weekday from January through May, perfecting their passing attack.

Winter (90) and Gallon (63) had combined for 153 catches and nearly 2,000 yards their junior year. So why the need to spiff up?

"We understood, once we won it all, everyone would be gunning for us," Gallon said. "Everyone wanted a piece of Plant. And we had to step it up."

Mission accomplished. Through five games, Winter and Gallon have combined for 51 catches and 1,058 yards. The dynamic duo are arguably the best set of split ends in the Sunshine State.

There's Winter, known for his soft hands and savvy - not to mention sarcasm and Sideshow Bob-sized hair. He makes route-running an art, taking every cut with precision.

There's Gallon, known for acrobatic catches and electrifying runs. He scores from several positions (kick returns, cornerback, receiver and tailback), making catches "that make you say, 'Wow,'" Murray said.

Murray, the state's leading passer (1,503 yards, 17 TDs, 0 INTs), said he feels "blessed" to have both in the Panthers' shotgun-heavy, four-or-five-receiver-set formations.

Has their pre-school practice made perfect?

"Their passing game is as good as I've seen in Hillsborough County," said Billy Turner, in his 28th season with Chamberlain and 48th overall. "I don't think I've ever seen one better."

Derek Winter

Nickname: D-Money

Size: 6-2, 195

Stats: 27 catches, 548 yards, five TDs

Rank in state: 5th

Lines up: outside

MO: great hands, great routes

Go-to route: sideline

Career catch: 4-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left to beat Ponte Vedra Beach Nease to win 2006 state championship

Scholarship offers: USF, Army

Did you know?: Winter spent five days this past summer as camp counselor for a Muscular Dystrophy Association-sponsored camp.

Cornelius Gallon

Nickname: Scooby

Size: 5-10, 185

Stats: 24 catches, 521 yards, 10 TDs

Rank in state: 6th

Lines up: slot

MO: playmaker with dazzling moves, acrobatic catches

Go-to route: post

Career catch: Put Plant on map with winning, diving 32-yard touchdown vs. Jefferson in 2005, giving Panthers district title.

Scholarship offers: Central Michigan, Temple

Did you know? Gallon points to the sky after every score, honoring his late friend, former Jefferson linebacker C.J. Mills, who was shot and killed in his driveway in April.

By the numbers

1,503 Passing yards for Plant in five games, best in the state

19.3 Yards per catch for Cornelius Gallon

153 Combined catches for Winter (90) and Gallon (63) last season

8 Touchdowns for Gallon the past three games

What they are saying

"I haven't seen either one of them drop a pass in two years. They both can go play anywhere in (Division I)."

Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia

"Through all my years of coaching, I've seen faster receivers, I've seen taller receivers. But I really believe Derek Winter is the best receiver I've seen."

Armwood coach Sean Callahan

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 22:15:10]