Plant and Robinson Cruise Through Football Quarterfinals

PLANT:

The Panthers weathered an early storm from Orlando Boone on Friday night to pull away in the second half for a 54-21 regional quarterfinal playoff win, as the St. Petersburg Times reports.

Boone actually outscored the Panthers 14-13 in the first quarter. However, it was off to the races after that.

Plant scored three touchdowns in the second quarter, two of them passes to senior receiver Austin Aikens.

"Austin Aikens had four touchdown catches in the first half. That really opened it up for us," Panthers head coach Robert Weiner told Patch.

The Panthers took a 34-21 lead into halftime, but senior athlete Antonio Crawford broke a 70-yard touchdown run to start the third quarter and Plant started to pull away.

"We were able to play well after giving up some a couple of big plays for scores," said Weiner.

Boone had a 55-yard play and an 85-yard play in the first half, but Plant's defense eliminated the big plays in the second half.

Plant advances to face Orlando Dr. Phillips next week.

ROBINSON:

The Knights, facing a much tougher road task, took care of business in Orlando against Bishop Moore 30-10, the St. Petersburg Times reports.

"We had a pick-six at the end of the game that made it look more lopsided than it was," Knights head coach Mike DePue told Patch. "They gave us all we could handle."

DePue cites the turnover battle, which went 4-2 in favor of Robinson, as a key to the Knights earning another shot at rival Jesuit.

"We had three turnovers in particular that changed the complexion of the game," said DePue.

DePue called out senior receiver Byron Pringle, junior running back Martin Ruiz and freshman running back Michael Duclos for having standout games. Pringle took a short, crossing route 76 yards for a touchdown to start the game, and Ruiz broke a 33-yard touchdown on the ground.

Jesuit (11-1) beat Port Orange 42-14 and will host Robinson (10-2) in the regional semifinals next Friday.