#1 PLANT (3-1) at #2 ARMWOOD (3-0)

When: Friday September 25th, 7:30 p.m.

Where: ARMWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, SEFFNER (12000 US-92)

TV: BHSN (Channel 47 and HD 1147)

Coaches: PLANT – ROBERT WEINER (13th Year at Plant, 125-25-1); SEAN CALLAHAN –(26th Year at Armwood, 211-101)

About the match-up:
One of the most highly anticipated games all year, every year is Plant versus Armwood. The game is the gold standard for rivalries in Tampa Bay. The top-ranked Panthers only blemish this year came in their season opener against the 6th best team in the country, Colquitt County out of Georgia. The Panthers are rotating quarterbacks after losing three-star QB Rex Culpepper to an ACL tear. Junior QB Kyle Trina, who relies more on his arm, and running QB Dane Frantzen, will split the reps. After a transition from linebacker, RB Tykese Keaton-Baldwin is the team’s leading rusher with 251 yards through four games. Keaton-Baldwin is also Plant’s second-leading receiver behind Whop Philyor. The Panthers defensive trailblazer is Army commit MLB Joe Ryan. He leads the team with 42 tackles. Bolstering the Plant defense with 27 tackles (19 solo) is two-star Syracuse commit DB Scoop Bradshaw.

Undefeated Armwood is currently ranked 2nd in the BHSN Top 20 to Plant. Head coach Sean Callahan says the 2014 Class 6A state-runners up are “in transition.” Junior QB Darrian “Pickles” McNeal takes over under center after losing Noah Johnson to graduation. The two-star recruit has been offered as a receiver by Boston College. The Hawks’ top rusher is sophomore Brian Snead, who leads the team with 273 yards and seven touchdowns. RB Jerome Ford brings “next gear” speed to the ground game. Senior WR Trevor Laurent (193 yards, 3 TD) and WR Eric Collins Jr. (100 yards, TD) spearhead the aerial attack. The offensive line returns four of five starters. Armwood is historically known for its defense (23 points in 10 regular season games in 2014). ILB Kyheem Campbell (25 tackles, four sacks) and three- year starter ILB Justin Manning (22 tackles) lead a group that lost the top 2014 recruit in the nation DE Byron Cowart and Vanderbilt freshman LB Jordan Griffin. Senior OLB Dedarallo Blue, switching from CB, has 18 tackles through three games.

Three and out:
1. Plant (2006, 2008, 2009&2011) and Armwood (2003, 2004,&2011) have won a combined seven state titles in the last 12 years

2. Robert Weiner is the second winningest coach in the Plant history behind Roland Acosta (1973-94, 155 wins)

3. Armwood’s played in the state final, four out of the last five years.