Panthers defense roaring again

Posted Oct 5, 2009 by Katherine Smith

Updated Oct 7, 2009 at 04:28 PM

Armwood entered Friday’s game against Plant averaging five offensive touchdowns a game. But in their 17-7 loss to the Panthers, the Hawks offense failed to get in the end zone.

Armwood’s dominated so long, you have to go back eight years for the last time their offense failed to score a touchdown. In 2001, Armwood was blanked 63-0 by Jefferson. Against Plant Friday night, the Hawks offense had their chances, but the Panthers defense held strong, snapping the Hawks 102-consecutive game streak with at least one offensive touchdown.

Much like they did last year en route to its second state championship, Plant’s defense deserves a lot of credit. They were a maligned unit at the beginning of the season as they struggled to replace the entire starting defensive line from the previous season and gave up 49 points to Bradenton Manatee in the Kickoff Classic.

A couple of things have changed for Plant’s defense since then. They got back some starters, middle linebacker Mike Mirabella, defensive back Eric Dungy and defensive lineman Joe Pappas, from injuries. And they’ve played with a chip on their shoulder since the loss to Manatee, which showed up big against the Hawks.

“The game Friday night, under the circumstances and against a team that’s got as many explosive players as Armwood does, in all of our years of coaching, that was really one of the most memorable defensive efforts,” Plant coach Robert Weiner said. “I’m really proud of our defensive staff. We were down in the dumps their after the first week, but now we’re playing some super, super defense.”