Southside Football Rivalry Erupts Tonight As Robinson, Plant Meet

The Robinson-Plant football rivalry needs no introduction. The two teams are in different classes, different districts but have one thing in common: They battle for south Tampa bragging rights to end every regular season and have for the last decade.

The teams will do so again on Thursday night, Nov. 10, as Plant hosts Robinson at 7:30 pm. at Dad's Stadium.

The Panthers won last year's game 40-21 and are coming off a 53-7 destruction of district foe Bloomingdale. The Panthers have owned the rivalry in recent history. Plant has outscored Robinson 264-82 since 2005. The Knights won 19-10 back in 2004.

However, this is a different year for Robinson, if not a new era. The Knights are riding a six-game win streak and have some key elements in place behind a tremendous offensive line. They have dismantled their lowly opponents, including a 44-0 romp of Middleton last week, and got the job done against tougher opponents — a 20-13 win over Lakewood on Oct. 28 comes to mind.

The Knights' only blemish on the season so far is a 21-7 loss to Jesuit back in September.

The Panthers beat Jesuit 34-20 in their regular season opener, thus, Plant has to be the favorite going in. However, with playoff spots already aligned, there is a chance the Panthers could get caught looking past the Knights.

Look for the Knights to jump out early and try to keep pace with the Plant offense.

Follow reporter Andy Warrener on Twitter (@jawarrener) for live updates from the game.

IF YOU GO

Who/what: Robinson at Plant, High school football
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10
Where: , 2415 S. Himes Ave., Tampa