By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Aaron Murray starts classes at the University of Georgia in about three weeks.
But he notched his biggest accomplishment to date this weekend by leading Tampa Plant to a Florida Class 4A state championship with a 34-14 victory against Tallahassee Lincoln at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
Murray, who returned to action after breaking his leg in October, completed 18 of 30 passes, including three for touchdowns as the Panthers completed a 14-1 season to win their second state title in three years.
After a DeAndre Queen scoring run in the opening quarter that gave Plant a 7-0 margin, the Panthers took control of the game in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns in that frame.
Murray hooked up with tight end Orson Charles, who made a grab and ran 72 yards for a score. If that play set up the Panthers pivotal second quarter, a Plant defensive play one series later all but took the steam out of Lincoln.
Leading 14-0 with Lincoln deep in its own territory, Plant linebacker Beau Hume intercepted a pass and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. That put the Panthers up by three touchdowns and set the tone for the win.
And even when Lincoln did manage two third quarter touchdowns to make things interesting, the Panthers responded with another Murray to Charles touchdown pass to put things out of reach.
Murray, who ended the game with 344 yards passing, finished his prep career with 84 touchdown passes, breaking the Hillsborough County record of 83. The record was previously held by former Tampa Jefferson quarterback Steven Garcia, now playing at the University of South Carolina.
Charles caught six passes on the day for 132 yards and two scores. Charles’ 21 touchdowns this season broke the school record of 20, set in 2006 by wideout Derek Winter.
And Hume was the defensive star of the game, collecting nine tackles and three sacks in addition to his interception.
