Plant (Tampa, Fla.) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), FridayPlant started the year nationally ranked before being blown out by Manatee (Bradenton) in a nationally televised preseason game and then stumbling out of the gate with a 3-2 record. But since, the Panthers have won nine straight and last week looked like the team that won back-to-back state titles (5A in 2009, 4A in 2008) when they clobbered previously unbeaten Lakeland, 48-6, in the 5A semifinals.
James Wilder Jr. – MaxPreps' No. 1-rated recruit and a Florida St. commit – had 216 yards and five touchdown runs to lead the way. His efforts were needed because Alabama-bound quarterback
Phillip Ely was unable to play against Lakeland due to a sore back.
Video of Plant vs. Countryside {VIDEO_2c9b5fda-e441-4a0f-8098-7e128f7de079,floatCenter}
Unlike its competitor in Friday's 5A championship game, St. Thomas Aquinas has ran past, over and around every opponent on its schedule this season. The fourth-ranked Raiders have won by an average score of 45-7 and beat then-undefeated and nationally ranked Manatee (Bradenton) by 24 points in last week's semifinals. Iowa recruit
Jacob Rudock threw for less than 150 yards against Manatee but has more than 2,500 yards and 34 touchdowns this season. His primary targets are Miami recruit
Phillip Dorsett (846 yards) and Florida State pledge
Rashad Greene (795). St. Thomas Aquinas has reached the state championship game in every season but one since 2004 and is playing for its third state title in four years.
Video of Rashad GreeneMitch Stephens: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Plant 27
Steve Montoya: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Plant 28
Stephen Spiewak: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Plant 21
Kevin Askeland: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Plant 18
Jamie DeMoney: St. Thomas Aquinas 32, Plant 21
MaxPreps Projection: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Plant 17
