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By: Katherine Smith.jpg "Plant vs Alonso 2009")
The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 13, 2010
TAMPA - The Plant High School football team will be going deep into the heart of Texas this season. The Panthers will play at Abilene High the third week of the season, Plant coach Robert Weiner said.
The game was a long time in the making. After jumping through several hoops and getting permission from various groups, Plant's trip to Texas has finally been approved and will pit defending state champions from two high school football hotbeds.
ESPN had approached the Panthers about playing a national game this upcoming season earlier this year and it took some wrangling, but all the proper authorities, including the Hillsborough County school board and the FHSAA signed off on the game.
Plant and Abilene will play in the Eagles' home stadium Sept. 16. The sports cable company is footing the bill for the Panthers trip.
Like Plant, Abilene won the Texas 5A state championship last season. And like the Panthers, the Eagles lost a lot of seniors, but return quarterback Ronnell Sims and his cousin Herschel Sims, Abilene's leading rusher and an Oklahoma State commit.
Plant will be featured on ESPN twice this upcoming season. As the Tribune first reported, the Panthers' preseason game against Manatee will air on ESPN on Aug. 27
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.jpg "Plant Panthers Football Team")
