Plant City came so close to pulling out a win that the Raiders could just about taste it.
A late fumble recovery and a signature Markese Hargrove run allowed the Raiders to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter, when they absolutely had to, but that was where the magic ran out. Sickles, thanks to some penalties and Ray Ray McCloud III’s legs, rode a 9-7 win to the next round of the playoffs.
The Gryphons got ahead of Plant City in the second quarter, with a 48-yard field goal. They made two more, in the third and fourth quarters, but then allowed Hargrove to go from Plant City territory to their own two-yard line. Austin Carswell, after taking over at quarterback for Corey King, snuck into the end zone for six points.
With 1:40 to play, Plant City had the ball and the momentum. And then, it lost a fumble and allowed a Sickles first down – sealing the deal.