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Sports

Plant High Football Rocks Miramar 31-20 For 8A State Crown

The Panthers captured the Class 8A state championship Saturday in Orlando.

ORLANDO — The Plant High Panthers are state champs once more.

Plant dug out a blistering 31-20 win Saturday night against a resilient Miramar squad in the Class 8A state championship at the Citrus Bowl.

The Panthers led 24-7 at the half but were staring at a slim 24-20 lead when they turned the ball over at the Miramar 1-yard line. The Panther defense answered the bell and nearly had back-to-back sacks for safeties until junior linebacker Mitchell Wright knocked the ball of the Miramar's quarterback's hands, and senior linebacker Tate Rodgers jumped on it in the end zone to lock the score in at 31-20.

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The Panthers now have captured three state titles in the last four years.

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