MVP PROFILE Springstead goalkeeper Joey Lasala proves good things come in small packages. ...more

January 6, 2009

Plant High backup quarterback and fill-in starter Phillip Ely heard the applause and was taken aback. ...more

December 22, 2008

Quarterback Phillip Ely has heard countless stories about his father Bruce's playing days at Plant, but one stands out. ...more

December 19, 2008

As the celebration was going on around him late Friday, the smile on Aaron Murray's face seemed wide enough to engulf Dad's Stadium. A few yards away, Phillip Ely was smiling widely, too. ...more

December 13, 2008

Statistics comparing Plant High's Aaron Murray and Phillip Ely's seasons at quarterback. ...more

December 10, 2008

The sophomore doesn't mind becoming the backup once again if Aaron Murray is healthy enough to play in Friday's high school football state semifinal game. ...more

December 10, 2008

Plant quarterback Aaron Murray put on pads and practiced Monday night for the first time since breaking his leg on Oct. 16. Murray took snaps with the first team as the Panthers prepared to take on Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer in Friday night's Class 4A semifinal game. Phillip Ely, who has started at quarterback since Murray was injured in the Oct. 16 game against Hillsborough, split the reps with Murray. It still remains to be seen whether Murray will start and play in Friday night's game. "We had a tremendous day of practice," Coach Robert Weiner said. "It took him about 10 throws. He was a little rusty on the first couple of throws and afraid to put pressure on the first couple of throws, but then he got back in rhythm. "We'll make some decisions over the next couple of days and see what we're going to do." You can read more about Murray's return on TBO.com Tuesday. There will also be video of Murray's remarkable road back featuring his grueling rehabilitation. ...more

December 8, 2008

TAMPA – Phillip Ely threw for two touchdowns and the Plant High football team survived a late rally Friday night to upset Armwood, 17-14, in the Class 4A-Region 3 Final at Dad's Stadium. ...more

December 5, 2008

It's safe to say Armwood High's defensive coaches have had their hands full in recent years game-planning for Plant High and its standout quarterbacks Robert Marve and Aaron Murray. With a relatively new, unheralded signal-caller under center in sophomore Phillip Ely starting tonight's Class 4A regional final, one might assume the Hawks' staff could relax knowing an All-American wouldn't be leading the Panthers' offense. That would be a mistake. ...more

December 4, 2008

Plant found itself in unfamiliar territory Friday night - behind. For only the second time this season, the Panthers trailed at halftime. But Plant rallied, controlling the clock for most of the second half for a 13-7 victory against Southeast at John Kiker Memorial Stadium. ...more

November 29, 2008