Preps

Dangerous on D

By JOE SMITH
Published November 23, 2007

For the first month of the season, Plant senior Chris Breit's practice routine was akin to kryptonite to a football fanatic. The stocky defensive end - and top tackler in last year's state title run - was limited to light jogging due to a stress fracture in his back; an injury that was thought to end his senior season before it even started.

"It felt like the end of the world," Breit said. "To miss my senior year ...it just crushed me."

But four weeks later, Breit caught a break; a neurosurgeon told him he was cleared to play, just in time for the Panthers' (10-1) midseason run. Plant hosts Jefferson (5-6) tonight in a region semifinal. 

"That was a huge jolt for us," Plant coach Robert Weiner said of Breit's return. "What Chris brings in leadership and toughness, it really gave us a shot in the arm."

Breit, at 6-foot, 215-pounder, originally was to move to linebacker. But it wasn't long before he slid back into his previous spot at defensive end - where he's relatively undersized, but rarely overmatched. "I'm just glad I got a second chance," Breit said. "God was really smiling over me."

Defensive dynamos

These defensive linemen are likely to be disruptive tonight; each has a specific duty in mind.

Kier Creech

Gaither, Sr., DL

Size: 5-10, 200 pounds

Stats: 67 tackles, five sacks, nine hurries

Skinny: The scrappy senior is one of the Cowboys' unsung stars up front, plugging gaps to make room for linebacker Mike Whitescarver (154 tackles, 11.5 sacks) to make plays. The Cowboys' retooled lines are big reasons they have one eight of nine.

Task: Disrupt Chamberlain's veer-option rushing attack, spearheaded by dual-threat quarterback Dontae Aycock.

Moses McCray

Hillsborough, Sr., DE

Size: 6-3, 285 pounds

Stats: 65 tackles, 3.5 sacks

Skinny: The Florida State commitment consistently battles double teams; he has become more technically precise as a pass rusher since transferring from Middleton in the offseason.

Task: Stuff the power running of Armwood's bruising back Eric Smith, who is finally healthy after battling an ankle injury.e_SClBMax Holloway

Max Holloway 

Jefferson, Sr., DE

Size: 6-3, 240 pounds

Stats: 84 tackles, 14 sacks

Skinny: The two-way lineman is relentless, blending strength and savvy to rack up 14 sacks. Holloway, whose father (Brian) played for New England, and brother (David) is on the Cardinals' practice squad, is a Boston College commitment.

Task: Put pressure on Plant junior quarterback Aaron Murray (47 TDs), who is one touchdown from tying a state record.

Dontavious Pyron

Chamberlain., Jr., DT

Size: 6-1, 280 pounds

Stats: 60 tackles, four sacks

Skinny: Defensive end Robert Charies may have double-digit sacks, but Pyron brings the speed and mean streak up the middle, sparking the Chiefs' stellar defensive front.

Task: Contain one of the county's most explosive runners, Gaither junior Jarvis Giles.

Ryne Giddins

Armwood, Sr., DE

Size: 6-4, 230 pounds

Stats: 88 tackles, 16 sacks

Skinny: The four-star end, who has offers from Florida and Miami, is a "cut above the rest," Plant coach Robert Weiner said; Giddins' speed and strength have him two sacks from tying the single-season school record (Sergio Joyner, 2005).

Task: Slow down a Hillsborough rushing attack that racked up more than 250 yards last week over Auburndale.

Marco Mendoza

Tampa Catholic, Sr., DE

Size: 6-2, 220 pounds

Stats: 57 tackles, 18 sacks

Skinny: The three-year starter bulked up in the offseason, putting on 20 pounds. The tall but tough lineman with an endless motor has become one of the state leaders in sacks

Task: Keep Clewiston's two standout tailbacks from breaking the big runs.

[Last modified November 22, 2007, 20:30:48]