By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
If their summer vacation is any indication, it may be a great fall for Tampa Plant’s football squad.
The Panthers wrapped up their seven-on-seven summer tournament schedule with a state and national championship. Facing teams from South Carolina, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, Georgia and California, Plant won six games over two days at Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., July 17-18.
Plant rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit against Henry County (Ga.) to storm back with 23 unanswered second half points to win 30-14 in the national title game. In the semifinal contest, Plant topped a highly-regarded Mater Dei High (Calif.) squad 32-13. Panther linebacker Mike Mirabella had three interceptions in the game en route to earning all-tournament honors.
Other Panthers named all-tournament included wide receivers Orson Charles and Nathan Marvel and defensive back Javonte Martin. Plant quarterback Aaron Murray, a University of Georgia verbal commitment, was named tournament MVP.
While winning the Sling & Shoot 7-on-7 tournament in Tampa during the early part of July, the Panthers did not lose a game over two days in the state tournament that featured 46 teams. Plant defeated Atlantic 34-33 in overtime of the state final as Murray found Marvel in the end zone for a two-point conversion.
The games are made up of two 25-minute halves, featuring seven offensive players against seven defensive players. No pads are worn in the games, which highlight teams’ skill position players (quarterbacks, receivers, defensive backs).
Football: SPC's Postseason Ban Lifted
The Florida High School Athletic Association lifted the St. Petersburg Catholic's ban earlier this summer. The ban, which had been in place since May 2006, will allow the team to compete for a playoff spot in Class 2A, District 5.
The FHSAA instituted the ban after finding SPC’s program guilty of recruiting violations and illegal practices. The school also received a $13,000 fine. SPC’s appeal of the fine resulted in the ban, which was supposed to be in effect for one more year, being lifted.
College Commitments/Signings
Sir Chauncey Holloway may not be playing high school football this fall but his past efforts were enough to gain a college scholarship offer. Holloway, a 5-foot-9, 190-pound running back, was deemed ineligible this upcoming season for violating a school transfer bylaw.
Holloway, who transferred from Plant City to Seffner Armwood with the hopes of playing for the Hawks this fall, has committed to Liberty, a Division I-AA school in Tennessee. Holloway rushed for 972 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior in 2007.
Switching to baseball, Tampa Plant catcher Jared Womack will play at Oklahoma State. Womack originally committed to High Point but was granted a release so he could accept an offer from the Cowboys.
Also, Valrico Bloomingdale goalkeeper Christina Coca has committed to Saint Leo University in Florida. Coca, a senior this fall, has been a starter for the Bulls since her freshman year. Coca posted seven shutouts as a keeper last year.
All-Star Invites
Standout defensive linemen Demonte McAllister and Ryne Giddins and linebacker Petey Smith have already been invited to take part in postseason all-star football games.
McAllister, of Tampa Alonso, has received an invite to play in the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando on Jan. 4, 2009. Smith, of Seffner Armwood, received an invite for the Under Armour game in April.
Smith’s Armwood teammate Giddins, meanwhile, will participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, widely considered the most prestigious of the high school all-star games. The game is scheduled for Jan. 3 at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.