Signing Day Diary: Plant

Times staff writer Joe Smith will trek all around Hillsborough County for national signing day, catching the sights - and sounds - at cermonies at several schools on high school football's biggest day.

Stop Four: Plant

The joke was funny - and fitting.

Plant football coach Robert Weiner greeted the crowd of over 30 fans, friends and coaches at the Panthers fieldhouse Wednesday, introducing the five student athletes signing national letters of intent.

"We don't just have football scholarships," he said. "We've got a futbol scholarship."

Panthers sweeper Chelsea Hearne, who led the Panthers to the program's first undefeated regular season, signed a soccer scholarship with Gardner-Webb; she was flanked on her left by four Panther football players, a couple of which who have become, as Weiner said, "household names."

Plant senior tackle Rhonne Sanderson wore a tie with FSU logo as he realized a dream of playing for Bobby Bowden at Florida State. Panthers receiver Derek Winter donned a blue and orange striped tie, fitting for an Auburn signee, and had the best quip in his acceptance speech.

After Weiner glowed about Winter's accomplishments, calling him the "best player in the state of Florida," and the Picasso of the football" field, Winter paused - and smiled.

"I'd like to thank coach Weiner for talking me up a bit," Winter said. "I don't know if all that was true, but it was nice."

Winter then tried to squeeze his huge hair into his Auburn hat, drawing laughs from the crowd.

Nobody could top Lovell Jackson's style; the Panthers tailback/receiver wore yellow/baige pants akin to Panthers colors - and those of his future school - Wake Forest University.

The "less is more" award went to Plant senior lineman Tyler Evans, a Murray State signee, who gave the shortest acceptance speech. The man of few words was an unsung hero for the Panthers, Weiner said.

But one of the biggest surprises was senior receiver Kevin James, who found out Tuesday that his "preferred walk-on" spot was actually a full-ride scholarship to Bethune Cookman. James joins the alma mater of his father, Kevin Sr, who also served as a chaplain for the school.

So who was happier for the walk-on turned into scholarship money?

"Me, probably," Kevin Sr said with a chuckle.

The fieldhouse had plenty of personal touches, with signs posted everywhere about "One Heartbeat" and "Always a Link." A sign saying "Congratulations Panthers" was signed by everyone from band members to Dancero dancers.

There was catered food - pita-style sandwiches and cookies galore - and a big screen showing highlights of each one of the athletes; not to mention nearly a half dozen TV and print cameras.

Joked Panthers volleyball star Kellie Catanach: "My (ceremony) wasn't like this."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Times photos by Carrie Pratt. From top, Plant's Lovell Jackson celebrates his signing, with senior Derek Winter trying to squeeze into his Auburn hat.