Plant City started its Thursday night football game slowly, but couldn't be stopped once Braxton Plunk got his rhythm. The Raiders scored a 35-7 home win over the Strawberry Crest Chargers Sept. 28, thanks in large part to Plunk's five total touchdowns in two and a half quarters of action.
Plant City's offense started clicking at 10:16 in the second quarter when, after a pass interference call against Crest put the Raiders at the Chargers' 11, Plunk finished a short drive by scoring on a quarterback keeper. Just over three minutes later, the Raiders had scored two more times — once on a 60-yard pass from Plunk to Chris Wilson, and again on a 10-yard pass to Mario Williams Jr. shortly after Amir Abdullah picked off Crest quarterback Jarrett Rappe.
Crest gave itself a chance to score in the first half with 3:41 left in the second quarter when Chad Grassel picked off Plunk and took the ball into Plant City's red zone. But the Raiders defense held steady and prevented the Chargers from hitting paydirt, and they then marched downfield to go ahead, 28-0, on another touchdown pass from Plunk to Williams with 38 seconds left.
A short onside kickoff allowed the Raiders to start the second half in Crest territory. Zamir' Knighten kept Plant City moving downfield on the ground until Plunk could score on another keeper from 10 yards out at 8:49 in the third quarter. Crest got its touchdown just one minute before the end of the quarter, when Plant City backup Ryan Overstreet threw a pick six to Rio Oliver.
All three area schools will now prepare for district games on Oct. 2. Plant City will play at Lennard, Crest will host Tampa Bay Tech and Durant will play at East Bay.
