The Plant High football team won its third state title in four years Friday night, beating Bradenton Manatee, 21-14, at Orlando's Citrus Bowl to cap a 13-1 season. One year after winning the Class 4A crown, the Panthers closed with 13 consecutive victories in bringing the 5A trophy to South Tampa. Plant led 21-0 at halftime, then held off Manatee's rally to become the first Hillsborough County football program to win three state championships in the playoff era. ...more

December 19, 2009

Panthers register first win over Leopards in reversal of previous meeting between the two teams. ...more

December 17, 2009

Plant coach Robert Weiner was in the early stages of celebrating his team's first state championship in 2006 when the armchair quarterbacks began peppering him with suggestions. ...more

December 17, 2009

The first meeting between Plant and Newsome on Nov. 7 ended after seven rounds of penalty kicks decided the final of the Wharton Lady Wildcat Invitational in favor of the Wolves. Both the Wolves (10-0-2) and Panthers (11-1-1) have remained undefeated since, setting up tonight's game at Newsome. ...more

December 17, 2009

Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said the time for ugly victories needs to end - and end now. ...more

December 16, 2009

The Class 5A state championship meeting with the Plant Panthers is more than just a game for Manatee High's Brion Carnes. ...more

December 16, 2009

Plant and Bradenton Manatee will play for the Class 5A state championship at Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl. ...more

December 15, 2009

Saints...26 Falcons...23 Dolphins...14 Jaguars...10 Packers...21 Bears...14 ...more

December 14, 2009

Despite his struggles last week, the Bucs believe Josh Freeman is ready for a tough New York defense. ...more

December 13, 2009

Jets RB Thomas Jones vs. Bucs rush defense The Bucs' yearlong struggle to stop the run seems to be at an end. Since going back to a one-gap, mostly Cover 2 scheme they have shaved a full yard off opponents' rushing average and are allowing a respectable 3.9 yards per carry. ...more

December 13, 2009