Plant edges Armwood for UCF 7-on-7 crown

Posted Jun 2, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Jun 2, 2012 at 09:23 PM

Despite missing nearly two dozen players because of SAT testing, Plant High found a way to win Saturday’s championship at the UCF 7-on-7 tournament in Orlando.

Oddly enough, the title game was between two county rivals: Plant, last season’s Class 6A champion, and Armwood, the defending 8A champion. Led by quarterback Kyle Groh—one of several candidates for the starting job under center this fall for the Panthers—Plant prevailed 21-13.

“Kyle was outstanding all day but I think it says a lot about our program to come in without so many of our guys and still be able to win a tournament this competitive,’’ said Plant head coach Robert Weiner. ‘‘It shows we have a lot of depth and, more importantly, character. They somehow found a way to win.’‘

Weiner said the win showcased several of the Panthers hoping to make an impact this fall as they try to win a fifth state title for the school’s football program in the last seven years. Besides Groh, some of those turning in strong performances Saturday were rising senior Bernard Rogers, Wesley Bullock, Mitchell Wright and Mazzi Wilkins.

Plant went 3-1 in pool play, with its lone loss coming to Orlando Freedom. In the semifinals, the Panthers beat Chamberlain.

While it was no surprise to see Plant and Armwood in the championship game, the fact Chamberlain made it to the semis was. But first-year Chiefs coach D.J. Majo says his squad has the chance to be much better than last year’s 1-9 team if it continues to make progress.

“We showed some good things today,’’ Mayo said. ‘‘We didn’t beat Plant. But we were there playing them in the semifinals and came down to a fourth-and-goal. We’re moving in the right direction.’‘

Mayo said some of his standouts Saturday were Ronnie Scott, Terrell Scott, James Martin, JaMarcus Russ and, of course, running back Xavier Johnson.