MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 14 Plant

There’s no Aaron Murray on this year’s Plant squad. Nor is there a James Wilder.

Ironically, the team that Plant (Tampa, Fla.) fields this fall could be its most talented squad top-to-bottom in recent years. Its size, speed and depth set this team apart from Plant teams of years past.

MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 High School Football Early Contenders

Offensively, it begins on the line for the Panthers, who return three starters in Richy Klepal, Richard Bush and Ray Raulerson. Klepal is one of the top 2013 linemen in the state, while Bush and Raulerson will be heavily pursued 2014 recruits.

Dynamic running back Wesley Bullock returns after rushing for 1,308 yards last fall. Though he’s only 5-foot-6, he’s a very physical runner and pound for pound one of the best that Plant has had. Star safety Paris Bostick and sophomore Patrick Brooks will also get carries in coach Robert Weiner’s offense.



Senior Aaron Banks, a dual-threat signal-caller, is the favorite to take over for the departed James Few. Colby Brown, a transfer from Olympia, is not far behind him.

On the outside, Plant returns Dereck Mann and Alex Jackson. It lost star receiver Austin Roberts, who transferred to Carmel (Ind.), but it gained University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.) standout Tristan Cooper.

Defensively, three starters return up front, including Mitchell Wright, Zach Seaberg and Quinn Metoyer.

The linebackers, though inexperienced, will have great size. The secondary, with Bostick, Mazzi Wilkins and Reeves Rogers, will be critical in replacing Drew Madhu and Antonio Crawford, who roamed the secondary last year for Plant.

Local look: “At the beginning of last season, which would end with the Panthers claiming their fourth state title in six years, head coach Robert Weiner didn't know what to expect, but he did know one thing: they would be even better in 2012. At this point, there's no reason to think Plant can't be better. The offensive and defensive lines are anchored with Division-I talent, plenty of skill players return, and finding a quarterback has never been an issue for Plant. Weiner and his staff also have a knack for getting their teams to improve throughout the season, so don't be surprised at all to see the Panthers hoisting yet another championship trophy this December."
- Laura Keeley, Tampa Bay Times

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Size: Class 8A




Enrollment: 2,220 (approx.)


2010 finish: 14-1, Class 8A state champions


Head coach: Robert Weiner


Career record: 91-18


Years at school: 8


Notable players coached:
QB Aaron Murray (Georgia)



QB Phillip Ely (Alabama)

TE Orson Charles (Georgia, NFL)

RB James Wilder (Florida State)

 
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No. of returning starters: 6 (offense), 6 (defense)

Key losses:
DB Drew Madhu



DB Antonio Crawford

QB James Few

WR Austin Roberts (transfer)

Key returners:
DB Paris Bostick

OL Richy Klepal

OL Richard Bush



RB Wesley Bullock

Key newcomers:
WR Tristan Cooper (transfer)

RB Patrick Brooks

LB Andrew Beck

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Toughest game: John Curtis (River Ridge, La.). This could easily go to Armwood, the team’s local rival, but an early season matchup with John Curtis will be an excellent test for Plant as it battles the No. 6 team in the nation. Curtis is loaded with skill players and, like Plant, is disciplined and well-coached.

Question mark: Is this the year Plant will get past Armwood? Armwood has had Plant’s number in recent years, and handed Plant its only loss last season (a 21-0 shutout.) Armwood graduated a bounty of seniors and has had an offseason littered with drama. But its defense will still give Plant fits.



Local outlook: Usually, Plant and Armwood are clearly the top two teams in the area. In 2010, East Lake may emerge as the top team in Tampa. Loaded with young skill players and a great quarterback in Pete Dinovo, if East Lake can improve its line play, it could make a run at a state title.

Overall outlook: Plant has great community support and one of the top coaching staffs in the state. This fall, it also has a wealth of experience and talent. Plant improves dramatically throughout the season, and is very tough to beat in the playoffs. If it can endure its regular season schedule unscathed, it could be vying for a No. 1 spot nationally.

Coach quote: “We see we have a lot of talent on paper, a lot of guys with great talent, but that whole chemistry thing. It really doesn’t come to a head until you start getting into the second or third week of the season. We notoriously have started slow, because we normally graduate a lot of guys. But we have a lot of guys back in key areas."
- Assistant coach Bo Puckett

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