+ Dolphins, Trojans represent at Ray Jay
Three Plant City teams closed out the 2013 season with an appearance at the Game Day of Champions and, for the most part, found success.
Two Plant City Dolphins teams – Pee Wee and Varsity – made the trek to Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 21, as well as the undefeated Turkey Creek Trojans Junior Varsity squad.
Competition was tight for the Dolphins teams, and it was only the Pee Wees that managed to walk away with a win. In the closest game of the day, the little guys pulled out a 7-6 win over the Nuccio Jaguars — all thanks to a missed PAT on Nuccio’s part. The Varsity team, on the other hand, found itself on the losing end of a 15-12 final score in their matchup with the Brandon Ravens. A last-minute rally fell through after an onside kick with 1:32 to go was unsuccessful.
And then, there were the Trojans. Their day was far less stressful, as they played the West Chase Colts and won, 20-7. This win, their second at Raymond James in as many years, was a great way to cap their perfect season.
+ Crest set for holiday play
While Durant and Plant City still have plenty of vacation time left, Strawberry Crest’s teams will stay busy this holiday season.
The boys and girls are both set to play in holiday tournaments this week, with the boys having just come out of the Bright House Shootout. They lost early in that one, 47-44, to a solid Nature Coast Tech team.
They travel Dec. 27, to Lemon Bay High School, in Englewood, for the Adidas Slam Holiday Shootout. Their opponents already have been determined: the Chargers will get a 6-1 Port Charlotte squad at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 27, and Charlotte High School at noon, Dec. 28.
Meanwhile, the Lady Chargers will play in the Willie Clemons Holiday Classic Dec. 26, at Southeast High School. They face Gibbs High School at 3:30 p.m. Should they win, their next game will be played Dec. 27, and another win would have them playing Dec. 28, in the final.
Both teams return to normal action Jan. 7, when theyl host Steinbrenner. On the girls side, that’s not a matchup Chargers fans want to miss.
+ District pictures jump into focus
The end of the soccer regular season is nigh, and district play has just ended.
With a 4-0 win over East Bay Dec. 19, the Plant City Lady Raiders ended district play with an 8-0 record — good for tops in Class 4A District 9. Their recent game against Hillsborough proved to be the difference-maker, and it was the reason why the Terriers finished second at 7-1.
Durant’s 5-1 win over Bloomingdale that night gave them a 3-3-0 record in Class 5A District 6 play, placing the Lady Cougars fourth overall. Strawberry Crest, which went to Riverview that night and fell, 3-0, finished in last place at 0-4-1.
On the boys side, a 3-3 tie with East Bay Dec. 19 gave Plant City a 4-1-2 record – good for second place in Class 4A District 9 but well behind the dominant Brandon Eagles. Durant’s 3-0 loss to Bloomingdale gave the Cougars a share of third place in the Class 5A District 6 standings, along with George Jenkins High School. Strawberry Crest, following a 2-2 tie with Riverview, is in fifth place with a 1-2-3 record.
Although Durant and Strawberry Crest will be back in action Jan. 7, the Plant City teams will play in tournaments earlier in the new year. The Lady Raiders will play in the Lakeland Christian Invitational Jan. 3, begininng with a 7 p.m. matchup against Lakeland Christian. LCS, which is 17-0 on the season, is MaxPreps’ No. 42 team in the country.
The boys have a game with Armwood at 8 p.m. Jan. 6, in the first round of the King High School Invitational.