Sophomore TJ Chase had two interceptions on defense and two touchdown grabs on offense all in the first half, as Plant City made a statement at home against Wharton, winning 33-0.
Chase, who didn’t play defense at all last year, was all over the defensive backfield Friday for the Raiders. After his second pick put an end to a Wharton drive with two minutes to play in the half, Chase came down with a one-handed grab for a 45-touchdown reception on a pass from quarterback Landon Galloway. It was Chase’s second touchdown of the night and put Plant City up 23-0 at the half.
“On defense, I just felt like I had to step up and make the team better, because that’s where we lacked last year,” Chase said. “The whole night, I was just thinking that I had to keep making plays for my team and for us to keep putting points on the scoreboard.”
After a scoreless third quarter, the Raiders added three points on a 42-yard field goal by Jorge Navarrete with 2:33 to play. Reaquavious Young picked off a pass on the ensuing Wharton drive and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown for the final score of the game.
The Plant City defense constantly flushed Wharton quarterback Chase Litton out of the pocket and the Raiders secondary refused to give up any big plays through the air.
“I thought the defense did a heck of a job against a really good quarterback,” head coach Wayne Ward said. “Chase Litton can really throw the football, but for us to come out and do what we did tonight, I think it was a really good performance.”
Litton was shaken up late in the second quarter and didn’t play in the second half.
Plant City will have a bye next week before hosting rival Durant.
