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Steinbrenner win caps an agonizing week for Plant

Sunday Morning Quarterback: The Warriors remain unbeaten and end the Panthers’ district dominance after 14 seasons.
 
The Steinbrenner defense had Plant completely wrapped up all night Friday, holding the Panthers scoreless.
The Steinbrenner defense had Plant completely wrapped up all night Friday, holding the Panthers scoreless. [ SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times ]
Published Oct. 6, 2019

Highlights from Week 7 of football in Tampa Bay.

Team of the Week: Steinbrenner

Four years ago, Steinbrenner had the greatest season in school history. The Warriors went 9-2 and made their first — and only — playoff appearance. The program has not been back to the postseason since.

Part of that was expected. The roster was filled with youngsters. Now, all of those players are veterans.

Steinbrenner has 30 seniors, most of whom start. Besides experience, the Warriors also have momentum. After starting 2-5 last season, Steinbrenner went on to win four straight, including a bowl victory over East Lake. The Warriors followed that up with an impressive win over Sickles in the spring jamboree. They started this season 5-0.

Related: RELATED: Plant High football coach Robert Weiner suspended six weeks

On Friday, Steinbrenner kept its win streak going by ending a longtime one Plant had in district play.

The Warriors built a 42-point halftime lead and cruised to a 49-0 victory that ended Plant’s 14-year unbeaten streak in district games.

Dating to last season, Steinbrenner has won 10 straight, the longest streak in the area. If the Warriors can win their remaining four games, they will not only claim their first district title but have their first undefeated regular season.

“This group of guys hasn’t lost in about a year,” coach Andres Perez said. “They’ve just gotten after it. They’re fun to be around.”

Related: RELATED: Steinbrenner ends Plant’s district dominance

Player of the Week: Chris Phillips, Boca Ciega

Boca Ciega's Chris Phillips needed only nine carries to inflict plenty of damage against Countryside. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]

There are good nights, and then there are career nights. Phillips, a junior, had a career night against Countryside. He gained 338 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 62-20 win. And he did all that while touching the ball just nine times. That’s 37.5 yards per carry.

A high ankle sprain bothered Phillips much of the first half of the season. He is clearly healthy now. A varsity player since his freshman year, he had never surpassed 200 yards rushing in a game. He blew that away Friday night.

Phillips had 527 rushing yards prior to facing Countryside. He is now closing in on 1,000. The Pirates have games against Northeast, Dixie Hollins and Clearwater to finish the regular season.

Related: RELATED: There's no stopping Boca Ciega's Chris Phillips

Coach of the Week: Jake Coulson, Bloomingdale

Jake Coulson's first year as Bloomingdale head coach couldn't go much better. [ SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times ]

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The Bulls were prepared for Tampa Bay Tech in their 26-14 win.They scored two quick touchdowns on offense, one of which came after the special teams forced a fumble. They inserted a punt block play late in the third quarter, which worked to perfection and resulted in a touchdown.

But most of all, they played defense. Bloomingdale shut out the Titans in the first half. The only costly mistake was when they lost containment on quarterback David Wright, who scored on a 25-yard run.

The Bulls had seven sacks and allowed 51 rushing yards. They gave up 14 points to a team that was averaging 35 per game. And for the second straight season, they handed TBT its first loss.

“Hats off to our kids,” said Coulson, who is in his first season as Bulls head coach. “They play hard on defense. They love it. I got here last year and that’s where we set the bar. We haven’t come off that.”

Related: RELATED: Blocked punt turns the tide for Bloomingdale

Extra points

• Tampa Bay Tech (5-1), Cambridge Christian (6-1) and Berkeley Prep (5-1) all suffered their first losses. But there are four teams still undefeated: Springstead (6-0), Lakewood (7-0), Steinbrenner (6-0) and Gaither (6-0).

Related: RELATED: Gaither ends scoreless skid against Chamberlain

• Lakewood’s 38-0 win over Sebring was its fifth shutout in seven games.

• Clearwater quarterback Rent Montie, who threw for 242 yards in a comeback win over Pinellas Park, became the Tornadoes’ career leader in passing yards with 4,152.

Related: RELATED: Clearwater scores 38 unanswered points to prevail

• Lennard’s Tino Hunt had the longest run in school history, a 86-yarder for a touchdown that helped seal a 15-0 victory over Durant. Hunt finished with 158 yards rushing and scored both of the Longhorns’ touchdowns.

Related: RELATED: Lennard regains footing after two district losses

• Jesuit not only won its third straight game but snapped a three-game losing streak to rival Clearwater Central Catholic. The Tigers were dominant, too, beating the Marauders 42-19.

Related: RELATED: Jesuit ends recent skid against Clearwater Central Catholic

• Springstead’s Adrian Cabrera returned from injury and scored the winner in double overtime against rival Hernando. The 19-16 victory keeps the Eagles undefeated.

Related: RELATED: Springstead-Hernando rivalry doesn’t disappoint

• After starting 0-3, Seffner Christian has won three straight, including a victory over previously undefeated Cambridge Christian. The Crusaders’ turnaround is due in part to the return of quarterback Isaiah Knowles. The Navy commit missed the first four games with an injury.

Related: RELATED: Seffner Christian upsets state-ranked Cambridge Christian

• Armwood five-star receiver Agiye Hall returned to the lineup from a three-week suspension and made an immediate impact. He scored on a 27-yard pass from Cam’Ron Ransom and a 14-yard pass from Hunter Helton to help the Hawks beat Plant City 35-0.

Related: RELATED: Armwood’s staunch defense helps negate any mistakes