Plant loves playing the role of road warriors

Posted Dec 8, 2009 by Katherine Smith

Updated Dec 8, 2009 at 03:26 PM

Nothing like a victory at Armwood’s Lyle Flagg Stadium to boost a team’s confidence.

When Plant defeated the Hawks earlier this season, it did more than snap Armwood’s 43-game home game winning streak. It provided the Panthers with a road map of sorts on how they can be successful away from home.

“It definitely helped our road confidence because it hadn’t been done in so many years,” Plant linebacker Mike Mirabella said. “Since we did it, we think we can go anywhere and do it.”

If Plant wants to play in its second-consecutive state championship game, they’ll have to win this Friday on the road in one of the most intimidating venues in high school football. Lakeland’s Bryant Stadium has a rich tradition, along with a lot of fanfare.

One of the pluses for Plant is the impressive road record they’ve put up the past five seasons. Following Head coach Robert Weiner’s first year in 2004 when Plant was 2-3 on the road, the Panthers have compiled an away record of 28-3. All three losses were at Armwood.

Two of those away victories were in the Class 4A state championship games – in Miami in 2006 and Orlando in 2008.