Hoping for redemption after the 22-8 blowout at the hands of the Blake Yellowjackets two weeks ago, Robinson (0-2) faced hometown rival Plant (2-0) in a non-district matchup Friday night at Jack Peters Field. In search of South Tampa bragging rights, the Knights were defeated 38-0.

“We’re not doing the things we got to do in football. You got to block, you got to tackle. You can’t make mistakes,” Robinson head coach Shawn Taylor said. “We’re not blocking, we’re not tackling the way we’re capable of and we’re making too many mistakes.”

The Panthers got off to a quick start, coming up with an interception on the first drive of the game. Two minutes into the game, they scored. A fumbled punt then put the ball back into the Panthers’ possession before a 30 yard pass into the end zone to Christian Watson (’17) extended their lead. The first quarter ended with an interception by Robinson’s Caius Dixon (’19), but Plant held a 15-0 lead heading to the second. The Panthers scored again early in the second quarter, while the Knights continued to struggle on offense, being forced to punt.

Later in the game, a sack by Chase Volpi (’18) and a blocked pass by Tevin Fordham (’18) spurred determination in the Knights as their defense steadied during the second half. A successful 53-yard field goal added to Plant’s lead, but those were the only points given up by the Robinson defense in the half.

“When you play a team like that and make mistakes, they’re going to capitalize and score points. Our goal now is to make the playoffs, which is totally obtainable,” Taylor said. “We need to fix the mistakes, the fundamentals of football.”

The Knights will take on Middleton in their first district matchup of the season next Friday at 7:30 at Jack Peters Field (6311 S Lois Ave, Tampa, FL 33616).