Plant Football Faces Duncan Fletcher with Shot at Returning to State Finals

Tell the doubters to hold their breath — at least until about 11:30 p.m. Friday night.

The Panthers stand on the precipice of their fourth consecutive state finals appearance.

The knocks on this year's team were:

• How will they replace workhorse running back James Wilder Jr.?
• How can they win without good leadership from the quarterback position with the departure of Phillip Ely?

Answer No. 1: Enter junior Wes Bullock. While roughly half the size of Wilder, Bullock has all the heart and drive. Wilder gained more than 1,600 yards to Bullock's 1,000. However, it took Wilder 214 touches to Bullock's 142. Their yards per carry averages are very close: Wilder 7.54, Bullock 7.02.

Bullock is not by himself, either. Senior athlete Antonio Crawford has contributed more than 500 yards and averages better than 10 yards per carry, and junior backup quarterback Aaron Banks has contributed almost 300 yards so far. And junior defensive back Paris Bostick is coming up to speed following an ankle injury. The averages are spot on. Last year, Plant averaged 205.7 passing yards per game and 198.8 yards rushing per game. This season, they average 212.2 passing and 196.9 rushing.

Answer No. 2: Enter senior James Few. Maybe the biggest question mark at the beginning of the season, Few has earned a reputation as one of the most resilient players on the team and the bona fide starter. After a on Oct. 28, head coach Robert Weiner marked Few's full emergence.

"Maybe the best thing to come out of it is we found our trigger guy," said Weiner.

Few held tough in the game and even completed a left-handed pass in the third quarter. As far as numbers go, Few already has thrown more touchdowns (29) than Ely (26), and Few could potentially have two more games. He has a better completion percentage (66.2 percent to Ely's 62.7 percent) and better quarterback rating (117) than Ely's (102).

The Panthers can't win a defensive, low-scoring game?

Try a Sept. 17 .

The Panthers can't play catch-up and win?

How about a Dec. 2 come-from-behind, overtime ?

All that stands in the Panthers' way is a Fletcher team (10-2) that is largely an unknown. St. Petersburg Times reporter Eduardo A. Encina did a little digging and uncovered some interesting things about the Neptune Beach team.

Should the Panthers get through Friday, an epic contest will await them in the final.

Miramar, currently ranked No. 2 in the state is the team that handed St. Thomas Aquinas its first loss in eons, plays Christopher Coulmbus in the other semifinal. You may remember Columbus coming in for the preseason game on Aug. 26 and whipping the Panthers' tails, 35-7.

Is Plant a much better team than it was in August?

You bet.

Is Columbus a better team than it was in August?

Probably so.

IF YOU GO:

What: Plant Panthers vs. Fletcher Senators, Class 8A state semifinals

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9

Where: Dad's Stadium - Plant High School, 2415 South Himes Ave., Tampa