Plant wins national title...is state crown next?

Plant High captured a national seven-on-seven football championship this evening, rallying for a 30-14 triumph against Henry (Ga.) County in the finals of the inaugural Nike "7 On" tournament in Beaverton, Ore.

Tonight's win was the sixth in two days for Plant, which won three contests each day. The Panthers allowed 89 total points in the event, one less than they totaled the first day.

The Panthers, trailing 14-7 at halftime of the final, got an interception from Hunter Baldwin on the first play of the second half to begin a spurt of 23 unanswered points.

Senior quarterback Aaron Murray, a University of Georgia commitment, was named tournament MVP. In the semifinals, a 32-13 triumph against California's Mater Dei High, Murray outperformed USC commitment Matt Barkley, and linebacker Mike Mirabella had three interceptions.

Other Panthers named to the all-tournament team were Mirabella, tight end Orson Charles, receiver Nathan Marvel and defensive back Javonte Martin.

Now, for the big question: Will this summer championship translate into an autumn playoff run?

You tell us.

JOEY KNIGHT, Times Staff Writer

Comments

Congrats to Plant, but lets be HONEST here- 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 are two ENTIRELY different games. Finess football vs. Physical football- Armwood proved last year TWICE that physical football (without turning over the ball) wins out every time!

National Champions in 7 on 7 is terrific, but its not even close to how great the Hawks will feel again this year as STATE CHAMPIONS!

[BB]

Congrats Plant, what a great honor. I agree w/ 10:07 that the game is totally different when the bullets are flying! The game is won in the trenches, if Plant's o-line(only 1 returning starter)can block and the d-line tackle, it will come down to Plant vs Armwood to go to States!

[Panther Fan]

If Armwood had won the tournaments we would have heard about it over and over and over… Plant is great, Armwood is great too. Armwood won the district last year, Plant won the year before, we’ll see how it goes this year. I know that both teams will play as hard as they can. For now Plant’s the Champs where’s Armwood? Oh yeah… they’re trolling message boards and trash talking news reports. Keep it on the field. You guys are better than that. GO PLANT!

[mack]

this was not the national chamionship...these 8 teams were chosen to play,they did not win there way into the tournament.plant is not the best in florida...as for state title in 11 on 11 ARMWOOD...is by far the best in town

[John B]

I agree with 10:07 and BB- The game is won in the trenches! The Plant QB was running for his life last year and when he did get caught they planted him like a carrot. Will this game be on tv this year?

Didn't Plant get beat by Pahokee, who got beat by Booker T Washington in the game to go to the National Campionship? So that's two Florida teams who are better than the "National Champs".

And who really thinks that Plant doesn't get enough press?

Does anyone think that Plant gets better when you add in offensive and defensive linemen?

Why does the media perpetuate this stuff?

Where Pahooke and Booker T even invited to the tournament? I think after there brawl they probably were not there. Both teams would beat Plant badly.

[fan of Panther Fan]

I am glad someone is telling these trolls what the business is! Thank you for covering this event.

Plant and Pahokee played a pretty close game. The teams are very even in these types of events. Those 3 are clearly your best 7 on 7 squads (BTW, Pahokee, and Plant).

Plant's O line will be young but probably more physically talented than in the past. This is high school ball, anything can happen.

One thing is for sure, Plant, Armwood, Chamberlain, and Hillsborough will be among the best teams in the state this year.

I see you guys are ripping helmet avatars from MG's helmet site. Good choice.

Are you serious...Plant Offensive Line is atrocious...

Plant needs to get physical and stop worrying about touch football all summer..

Watch Plant wins no tourneys and no invites next year when Murray leaves..LOL

I love the people who hate on Plant...Please keep hating. It keeps them going.

Plant's new receiver Allen Sampson is gonna be a great addition to the team.

[Pat]

This will be the only tournament Plant will win this year.

ARMWOOD ARMWOOD ARMWOOD

[Armwood Sucks]

I guess we know why nobody likes the classless scum that is Armwood

[Panther]

Armwood,
You keep on talking about how hard you guys are playing this year and how you guys are, obviously, the BEST team on the face of the universe.
If so, shouldn't you have something better to do then be on the TBO and SPT message boards trash talking a team that DID get invited to tourneys?
I'm sure if you did get invited to one you wouldn't be talking so much crap about them.

Yes, 7 on 7 and 11 on 11 are completey=different games. But, if Plant was a team that wasn't worth your time Armwood then you obviously wouldn't be on the message boards talking so much crap about a so called "weak" team.

First game of the regular season,
Plant Vs. Armwood @ Plant.
We'll see what happens then.

[Panther99]

And, when is the last time armwood won a state championship...

And when is the last time that Plant did?

It doesn't matter HOW MANY you won.
I think it matters when the last one you won was.

[It's On! Panthers vs Hawks]

Its a new year people.

Aug 28th is going to be a big football game to watch.

[Panther Fan]

Just a couple of Armwood hacks that are posting under several names. You "girls" Matilda, Pat and the rest are representing "the 'Wood" very nicely and once again demonstrating a total lack of class and jealousy.

Keep it going ladies... It's just fuel for the fire.

GO PANTHERS! GO PLANT! CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!

All teams with highly regarded QBs and Wrs get invited to big 7 on 7 tourneys. Thast why Henry Co was their,they have a highly ranked WR...

Nothing to do with Plant,Murray just a great QB. If Murray pplayed at Tampa Bay Tech,they would get invited

[Pat]

Sorry but I am not representing Armwood. I do not have any kids and am not a girl. I enjoy watching football in general. I like to hear about other teams in the area...not just Plant. I do know the stats with Plant and Armwood and I know that Plant has beaten Armwood 2 times in 20 years....

....and that Armwood has a loosing record aginst Gaither, and more piontless stats Pat?

[Jack W.]

Helps prove somthing most non biased fans already knew. Plant will be one of the best teams in the state this year.
That's not saying Armwood won't be on of the best, that's a given.
Can't wait for 9/5! Alot of good matchups and rivalry games that night.

[LW]

What knowledge do you have 10:31 about Plant's atrocious O-Line? I know for a fact, yes they are young, but if any coach in the state or nation can make chicken salad out of chicken scraps it's Coach Love! This line will get better and better, and come play-off time they will be jellin! If you know anything about football, this is one area of the team that HAS to play together well, one guy screws up/they all look bad. This takes time, but it will happen! Armwood will be a great measuring stick of where they're at!

TE - Riverview
WR - Gaither
RB - Robinson
DB/WR - Indianapolis

Don't have a dog in this fight but:

Last year Plant vs. Armwood over 8 quarters was 62-14
Each year is different. That D-line for Armwood is gone!

Don't think Armwood has played Gaither in about 14 years.

This thread is about Plant's win in 7 on 7

[Hillsborough county fan]

Don't have a dog in this race either but all I know is that there are 7 other teams in Oregon talking about how good Tampa football is. That is good for everyone around here. Nice job Plant.

Armwood sucks. Boring team that recruits more than any other team in the state. Their time is over.

By the way losers, Plant has been playing winning football for 80 years. Get a life. Wooh, Armwood had a few good teams since about 2001 (check that guys, thats 7 years). Big deal.

plant has a two way lineman austin clark that is unbelievable and will surprise many people

[Plant is a Joke]

First of all, Austin Clark is not as good as you think he is. Second of all, Coach Love coaches peewee football for the Seahawks the past couple of years, and his teams have gone something like 3-20 the past three years.(GREAT COACHING) Plants oline will not come together, it takes time and experience for an oline to be good, neither of which Plants oline will have. They will be thrown to the dogs against armwood. Murray will not be as good without Winter, and Dungy will not have an impact for one simple reason, the speed of Florida DBS.

ya ur right he only had like 30 tackles combined between the 2 armwood games. Coach Love is the best Oline coach in the county...hes probably not coaching the best talent but he does make them into something pretty good...enough talk....watch the first game and u will see 54

[u r a joke]

i agree clark is a very good player who will make a significant impact on plant's chance of winning the 1st game and an eventual state title...but u need to leave dungy alone,he is a good player but an even better kid who will do well this season

hey 8:55 pm look I can do this also:

RB-Plant City
DB-Hillsborough
DT-Tech
LB-Tech

what is your point?

Which school is that?

Here's one for Hillsborough:
QB-Tech
WR-Armwood
RB-Armwood
DB-Middleton
DL-Middleton

who are we doing next?

[LW]

To: Plant is a joke. First of all before you open your fat hole of a mouth, know your info, b/c your only making more of an idiot of yourself. Coach Love "volunteers" w/ his son's team the RAIDERS, who has made it to the superbowl the last 5 years and whoops up on the Seahawks. That's what cracks me up on these blogs, it's bitter/jealous people like you that think they know it all, in fact you know NOTHING!!!!

[LW]

I guess that's why your up @ 3:45 am, no life/ no peace in your heart!

[JM]

Hey Plant is a Joke, you wouldn't think Clark was a joke when he's ripping your head off and spittng down your neck! Before you even judge talent geek, get off the couch!

[Jack W.]

You guys are actually arguing over who is better? You guys want to know whos better? THEN WATCH THE GAME! None of you can prove ANYTHING! It's a brand new season, we will find out who's better in the first game of the year. Now 'till then, talk about somthing that could actually be proved TODAY. Like who has the best unis or somthing.
But really, stop fighting over who is better, and let the players prove who is better in a month from now

to plant is a joke, coach love would crush u and i bet his kids or his wife could even kick ur butt! Cowards say negative things about people because they do not have to put their real names on here. U do not know austin clark or coach sean love so do not say negative things about them. I wish u would put ur real name on here as those two r both crazy and could easily kill u!

hahaha 7:52 I agree

i would love to see austin clark and coach love fight anyone, they would tear someone apart

plant has the best uniforms.....would love to see petey smith and callahan vs austin clark and coach love!!! the gap in callahans teeth will only get wider

CHEATERS ARE CHEATERS HOW MANY OF US PARENTS CAN TAKE THIS STAND UP FOR OUR KIDS THEY WANT TO PLAY TO. DOES COACH NEED A ALL STAR TEAM.