Plantation reaches regional final for first time since 2000 after beating Coconut Creek

Plantation is returning to a regional final for the first time in more than two decades but only after winning a decisive encounter in blowout fashion thanks to a bruising and powerful run game.

A dominant Mekhi Sera scored four touchdowns on a rainy Friday night to lead Plantation (10-2) to a 42-7 road win over Coconut Creek (9-3) in a Region 4-6A semifinal. The rout sent the Colonels back to a regional final for the first time since 2000, with a clash against Northwestern set for Nov. 26.

“We are playing the best football of our season at the right time,” said Plantation head coach Steve Davis.

Sera paved the way in the lopsided win, with the senior fullback catching a passing touchdown late in the first quarter before carrying the ball on three more scores.

“He is a guy that we have been kind of grooming all season because we know once you get into the playoffs you need that big fullback that can really grind those yards out,” said Davis. “He has gotten better every week.”

Sera’s bulldozing rushes along with the initial elusiveness of shifty junior running back Shawn Williams, who broke the deadlock with a 10-yard carry on the game’s opening drive, launched the Colonels to a 20-0 lead early into the second quarter.

“It was important for us,” said Davis, whose team suffered a surprise 27-7 home loss to the Cougars back on Sept. 17. “We knew Creek is a really good football team and they are playing here at home so we did not want to give them that momentum because once they get out in front of you it is tough trying to stop those guys.

“We wanted to come out with a fast start like we did.”

Coconut Creek got on the board with 8:59 to play before halftime on a 15-yard run down the middle from senior running back Brian Skipper, making the score 20-7.

That was as close as the home side got, however. Plantation responded immediately with a quick drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown rush from Sera to push the lead to 28-7.

The Colonels’ run game slowed a bit on the muddy field in the second half, but the defense finished the job with a 40-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown from junior safety Tavaris Council before senior secondary player Eric Lyons intercepted a pass in the third quarter.

Sera then punctuated the scoring with a 3-yard run with 6:43 to play, prompting the mercy clock rule to kick in and ensuring Plantation moved on to face Northwestern for the regional crown.

“We will go get ready,” said Davis. “We are not scared of anybody.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 11:57 PM.