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Unbeaten Wharton sets sights on toppling Plant

 
Senior Michael Keil caught a touchdown in his first game at receiver last week against Freedom. He works out of the slot.
Senior Michael Keil caught a touchdown in his first game at receiver last week against Freedom. He works out of the slot.
Published Oct. 1, 2015

TAMPA — History has not been on the side of Wharton High's football program.

That's not to say the Wildcats haven't made great strides. Wharton opened its doors in 1997 and reached a state final under Richard "Batman" Wood in 2002. Current coach David Mitchell has guided the Wildcats to the playoffs six times since. But when it comes to Plant, history has repeated itself far too often.

"We need to come out fast and keep our foot on the gas pedal," senior quarterback Bryce Martin said. "They're a team we badly want to beat. And we're hungry."

The Wildcats (5-0) will attempt to beat Plant for the first time in school history at 7:30 p.m. Friday and get a leg up in Class 7A, District 6 when the Panthers make their way up to New Tampa.

"They're coached very well and play good assignment football on both sides of the ball," Mitchell said. "They have a good history of winning over there, but we have to meet the challenge head on and let the chips fall where they may."

Since the teams joined 8A-6 (both teams moved down a classification this year) in 2011, it has been all Plant. The Panthers (3-2) have outscored the Wildcats by a combined 142-39, including a 32-0 thumping last season.

Last year's loss, however, was closer than the scored indicated. Wharton shut out the Panthers through the first half before coming unglued in the second. This season, the teams have one common opponent in Robinson. Plant beat the Knights 30-12 while the Wildcats won 30-18.

"We held them the whole first half last year," senior defensive back Michael Keil said. "And our defense is improved from then, so hopefully, we can do the same thing. And our offense has improved a ton."

The Wildcats have held their opponents to just under 14 points per game, but that includes a pair of kickoff returns for TDs.

"We have a great linebacker in Hayden Parks and a really good secondary," Keil said. "And probably one of the best (defensive) lines in the county."

And the offense hasn't been shabby either. Wharton is averaging 32 points per game and scored more than 30 in four of five.

"We have a lot of weapons," Martin said. "And we have everybody but one returning on the offensive line. That's really been the main part of the team."

Martin has a bevy of options, led by senior Devontres Dukes. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound UCF commit primarily lines up out wide, but he's also made cameos all over the field.

"He's a blessing to have over there," Martin said. "If I ever get in trouble, I can just throw it up to him, and he'll go get it. He's amazing."

Jordan Gillard (6-foot-2, 170 pounds) gives Martin another big target out wide and Keil, who caught a touchdown in his first game ever at receiver last week against Freedom, works out of the slot.

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"I played a little bit of running back last year," Keil said. "It's nice being back out there on offense. I missed it a little bit."

The game against Plant won't decide the district winner, but it will go a long way in clearing up the picture. Wharton and Sickles are 2-0 in the district while Plant is 1-0. The Wildcats play the Gryphons, who have looked very strong to start the season, on Oct. 16.

"It seems that if we beat them, we have a very good shot at clinching a playoff spot," Martin said. "Then, we have Sickles coming up. We just have to keep rolling and rolling."