The heated rivalry between the Plant Panthers and Jesuit Tigers, Tampa High Schools on Himes Street, returned on Mar. 27, this time in lacrosse. According to the Florida High School Athletic Association, both schools are ranked among the top 30 in the state, which made this an important and intense game.
Dad’s Stadium was packed with an enthusiastic crowd of both Plant and Jesuit fans, turning the stands into a sea of school spirit. Each side had its own full-size student section, something not often seen at any games, especially lacrosse games. Parents wove pom-poms, rang cowbells, and students shouted chants that carried across the field. The crowd’s energy built throughout the night, creating an atmosphere that made the rivalry matchup feel even more intense.
For many students, the crowd and school spirit made the game especially memorable. Ava Dordevic (11) shared the excitement.
“The atmosphere was really good, and there was a lot of school spirit in the stands. Everyone gets really excited about games like this, similar to football or basketball, and it makes it more fun to watch,” Dordevic said. “Since we don’t get to play Jesuit very often, it felt different from other lacrosse games and made it feel like a bigger game.”
Bryce Owens (10) also noticed the impact of the crowd throughout the game.
“There were a lot of people there, and everyone was watching really closely, which made it exciting,” Owens said. “It’s fun to watch, and playing Jesuit definitely made it more exciting than a normal game.”
Game Recap
Plant opened the game with early momentum and controlled the pace through much of the first quarter. The Panthers moved the ball effectively on offense while applying defensive pressure to slow Jesuit’s attack. Plant scored two goals in the opening quarter, allowing the Panthers to take an early 2–1 lead after the first period.
Both teams continued to compete in the second quarter, with each side creating scoring opportunities. Plant added two more goals during the quarter, bringing the Panthers’ total to four goals by halftime. Jesuit’s offense, however, began to gain momentum as the quarter progressed. The Tigers capitalized on several scoring chances and added five goals in the period, allowing Jesuit to take the lead heading into halftime.
The third quarter proved to be the turning point of the game. Jesuit extended its lead with a strong offensive run, scoring six goals during the quarter while holding Plant scoreless. The Tigers’ offensive pressure created separation on the scoreboard, allowing Jesuit to take firm control of the game heading into the final period.
Plant continued to compete in the fourth quarter, adding three more goals as the Panthers pushed offensively and looked to close the gap. Jesuit also scored three goals in the final quarter, bringing the final score to 15–7.
Although Jesuit controlled the middle portion of the game, the Panthers continued to compete throughout the matchup. Plant finished with seven goals on 24 total shots, while Jesuit recorded 15 goals on 38 shots.
After the game, Devin Goetz (10) reflected on the team’s approach going into the rivalry matchup. “As an offensive player, we were focused on protecting and possessing the ball while capitalizing on opportunities and executing our plays,” Goetz said.
Goetz also described the atmosphere created by the crowd at Dad’s Stadium. “The crowd was crazy—nothing like any other game I’ve played in. It made me a little nervous, but it also pumped me up and got me hyped at the same time,” he said.
Looking ahead, Goetz noted that ball control will be an area the team hopes to improve. “We want to do a better job of possessing the ball and limiting turnovers,” he said.
Standout Players
Several Panthers players contributed to the team’s offensive production during the game. Ryson Demarest (12) led Plant with three goals, providing the Panthers’ strongest offensive presence throughout the night. Demarest also contributed in transition and on the defensive end, finishing the game with four ground balls.
Colin Williams (9) added two goals for the Panthers, while Ford Taylor (11) and Drew Bain (10) each recorded one goal. Bain also contributed one assist, and Deane Walker (10) added two assists, helping facilitate scoring opportunities for Plant’s offense.
Defensively and in possession battles, several Panthers players made important contributions. Walker led the team with five ground balls, while Dylan Lorenzo (12) and Demarest each collected four ground balls. The Panthers recorded 20 caused turnovers, reflecting the team’s defensive effort throughout the game.
At the faceoff position, Lorenzo took the majority of draws for Plant and won seven faceoffs, while Walker and Williams each recorded one faceoff win.
In goal, London Lochan (12) played the full game for the Panthers and recorded 16 saves against 31 shots on goal, helping limit Jesuit’s scoring opportunities throughout the game.
For Jesuit, Jackson Jimenez (12) and Logan Eriksen (10) led the Tigers’ offense with five goals each, while Cole Peck (12) added two goals and three assists. Additional scoring came from Wesley Garcia (11), Michael Curtis (12), and Asher Ivins (11).
Jesuit ultimately came away with the 15–7 win, while the Panthers continued to fight until the final whistle, with goals from multiple players highlighting the team’s effort in front of the packed crowd at Dad’s Stadium.
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