If it seems like Tampa Plant has a "Game of the Year’’ practically every week, it may not be that much of a stretch.
Albeit a non-district game, Plant had its latest challenge against an unbeaten Riverview Spoto.
A scrappy, up-and-coming Class 3A program, Spoto entered its home game against against the Panthers with one of the best defenses in the Tampa Bay area. Spoto was 6-0 heading into the contest with a defense that had given up just 20 points all season and had pitched four shutouts.
And the Spartans played well against Plant – for a half. The Panthers scored 17 second-half points to break open a 10-7 halftime lead and go on to a 27-13 win.
Plant is used to the big stage and high-profile opponents. The Panthers' schedule this season has included Tampa Bay Tech, Tampa Hillsborough, Tampa Jefferson and Seffner Armwood before the Spoto contest.
The Panthers (5-1) were upset in the opener to Tech and had their game against Hillsborough canceled due to weather. Since then, the Panthers have dispatched five straight opponents, including former MaxPreps Tampa Bay No. 1 Seffner Armwood.
So this week? Another huge game. This time against Class 5A, District 5 foe Tampa Alonso (3-3). Both teams are 1-0 in league play and this contest is actually the de facto district championship game.
In other key games last week, Tampa Robinson (5-1) rebounded from its first loss of the season with a 33-7 win against St. Petersburg Catholic. Also, Tampa Catholic beat Clearwater Central Catholic 49-13, Tampa Freedom topped Valrico Bloomingdale 32-19, New Port Richey Mitchell defeated New Port Richey Gulf 28-7 and Clearwater Countryside beat Tarpon Springs 21-10.
Top performers
Despite Tampa Sickles’ 20-15 loss to Plant City, the Gryphons had two standout performances from quarterback John Melvin Hendrick and receiver Chris Nahat. Hendrick completed 14-of-21 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Nahat caught 10 of those balls for 185 yards and a touchdown.
The Tampa Catholic duo of Henry McCloud and Christian Green came up big, combining for five touchdowns in the Crusaders’ 49-13 win over CCC. Running back McCloud rushed for 99 yards and two scores and returned a kick 95 yards for a score. Quarterback Green also ran for 99 yards and scored twice.
Hudson quarterback Zack Wynn performed well in a loss, completing 30-of-48 passes for 321 yards.
Other outstanding quarterback performances were turned in by Tampa Jesuit’s Bobby Eveld and Land O’ Lakes’ Stevie Weatherford. Eveld completed 12-of-14 passes for 188 yards and four touchdowns in the first half of the Tigers’ 63-0 win against Dover Strawberry Crest.
Weatherford was 12-of-15 for 288 yards and five touchdowns in the Gators’ 56-6 win against Wesley Chapel.
Coming up
District doings take center stage this week on the gridiron as at least four key games likely will determine district champions. The top matchups are:
Riverview Spoto (6-1, 2-0) at Tampa Jefferson (4-1, 2-0) in Class 3A, District 8.
Tampa Hillsborough (5-1, 1-0) at Seffner Armwood (5-1, 1-0) in 4A-9.
Land O’ Lakes (6-0, 4-0) at Dade City Pasco (5-1, 4-0) in 3A-7
Tampa Alonso (3-3, 1-0) at Tampa Plant (5-1, 1-0)
Best of the Bay (
MaxPreps Tampa Bay Top 10)
1. Tampa Plant (5-1)
2. Seffner Armwood (5-1)
3. Tampa Hillsborough (5-1)
4. Tampa Bay Tech (5-1)
5. Tampa Catholic (5-0)
6. Plant City Durant (6-1)
7. Riverview Spoto (6-1)
8. Largo (5-1)
9. Tampa Jefferson (4-1)
10. New Port Richey Mitchell (7-0)
Best of the rest…Land O’ Lakes (6-0), Tampa Sickles (5-2), St. Petersburg (6-1), Dade City Pasco (5-1), Clearwater Countryside (6-1).
More than football
This week marks the beginning of the postseason for some of the other fall sports in the area. Golf and swimming district tournaments begin this week. The volleyball playoffs begin with district tournaments Oct. 26. And cross country begins its district meets Nov. 2.