Plant High Football Gets Send Off For State Title Game

Once again, the Plant High School football team will play under the big lights of the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Tonight, Dec. 17, the Panthers will take on Miami Miramar in their fourth straight state championship game with a chance to win their fourth title in six years. Prior to getting on the bus to head to Orlando on Saturday, the Panther faithful lined the parking lot at the high school to send the team off with a final show of support.

"There is nothing else they can do to prepare, they just have to let it all play out on the field now," said George Varino, father of Plant senior receiver Trey Varino. "I'm just going to tell to go out there and have fun. It's his last game so he just needs to enjoy it."

The success of the football team has helped cultivate a culture of winning throughout Plant High sports and with it comes a swagger amongst the players and confidence amongst the fans and parents like Peter Barli, father of defensive end Stone Barli.

"They've been here before, they know how to do this," Barli said. "They'll be in this game to the very end if they don't win it, but the fact that they are in this game is a testament to how talented this team is. I like their chances to come home with the trophy."

Another state championship only supports Plant's dominance and ability to evolve and grow with the changes to its lineup each season. The nationally ranked powerhouse already receives a good amount of attention from the press and college recruiters, but a little more never hurts.

"This just keeps moving them higher," says Greg Seaberg, father of Plant defensive lineman Zach Seaberg. "A win tonight will just move there profile up and will mean more more scouts, more scholarships, more opportunities. It will help these kids a lot."

Plant and Miramar square off at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Citrus Bowl. The game will be televised locally on FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports.

Stay tuned to Patch for complete coverage and photos from the game.