Columbus vs. Plant could provide a sneak peak at the postseason

Posted Aug 25, 2011 by Katherine Smith

Updated Aug 25, 2011 at 12:39 PM

Two years ago, Plant opened the season with a Kickoff Classic loss to Bradenton Manatee and then exacted revenge with a Class 5A state championship game victory against the Hurricanes later that year.

The Panthers open this season with a game against Miami Columbus, a team, like Plant, expected to do big things in the new Class 8A. So could history repeat itself?

“None of has a crystal ball, but we’d certainly love to be one of the participants there,” Coach Robert Weiner said. “We like to put ourselves in situations early in the year that we know is of that caliber.
“Whether or not we get there or whether or not they get there, we know this is the best thing for us to get ready for the kind of caliber of football that we want to play.”

And how’s this for getting the team pumped up. The Panthers were recently treated to a pep talk from former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, the grandfather of quarterback Trey Holtz.

Weiner’s brought in guest speakers before, including Tony Dungy and Wild Bill Minahan, and he said Holtz didn’t disappoint with his spirited speech.