WEEK 7 STANDOUTS: St. Thomas Aquinas Gets Season Started
One of Florida’s top programs – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas started the 2020 season last Friday night – and after several hours of waiting out a lightning delay, the Raiders came away with an impressive 25-13 win over TRU…
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Continue ReadingOne of Florida’s top programs – Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas started the 2020 season last Friday night – and after several hours of waiting out a lightning delay, the Raiders came away with an impressive 25-13 win over TRU Prep Academy.
After completing a perfect season in 2019, the Raiders were rusty in their opener against a Saints’ squad that was ready to play with a 3-0 record.
Make no mistake, the Raiders are going to be very tough this season – defending their 7A state title.
Junior quarterback Zion Turner Zion Turner 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL showed he is going to be very special once again – as well his junior running back Anthony Hankerson Anthony Hankerson 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdae St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL – and senior receivers Bralon Brown Bralon Brown 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL and Quincy Skinner Jr. Quincy Skinner Jr. 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL -as well as speedy Maurice Newton and Antonio Spencer.
Also looking very impressive are tight end Antonio Johnson Antonio Johnson 6'3" | 220 lbs | TE Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 FL , offensive linemen Gunnar Hansen and Joshua Sauickie, and nationally-rated kicker Noah Botsford Noah Botsford P Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 FL .
Up front, defensively, Alabama-bound DE Dallas Turner Dallas Turner 6'4" | 245 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL along with Adetola Daranijo and Tyreak Sapp Tyreak Sapp 6'2" | 255 lbs | DL Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL remain solid. So do senior LB Caden Martinez, and quality defensive backs Ja’Den McBurrows Ja’Den McBurrows 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL , Tyson Russell Tyson Russell 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 FL and Isaiah Taylor.
TRUE PREP GETS PLENTY OF RESPECT
There were no moral victories in this game. TRU Prep Academy, formerly NSU University School, came to play four quarters and come away with a win.
There was little argument that TRU Prep receiver/defensive back/ punter Brandon Inniss, was the best player on the field – and he’s just a sophomore. He was a nightmare against anyone who covered him.
Clemson-bound OT Marcus Tate Marcus Tate 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy | 2021 State FL showed why he is one of the best linemen in the nation – more than holding his own against top-flight defensive prospects.
As well as Inniss and Tate played, fan finally got the opportunity to watch Middle Tennessee QB commit Nick Vattiato Nick Vattiato 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy | 2021 FL . All night long he kept the Saints right in the game – with his arm strength and ability to make plays.
Other TRU Prep athletes to jump on to the radar screen included defensive standouts: Jeremy Acosta, NG, Emile Aime Emile Aime 5'9" | 210 lbs | LB Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy | 2021 FL , Haywood McQueen and Carlos Dales, LB, defensive back Ricardo Hallman Ricardo Hallman 6'0" | 185 lbs | DB Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy | 2021 State FL and kicker John Cannon John Cannon K Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy | 2021 FL .
Offensively, there were running Max Balthazar Max Balthazar 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Miami Gardens TRU Prep Academy | 2021 FL , and receivers Fredrick Cage, Vincent Pagano and Dylan Robinson.
WEEK 7 STARS WERE MAKING AN IMPACT
Bradenton Christian 2025 QB Zander Smith threw for 522 yards and 6 TDs in his second varsity start. At 6-2. 205, his work in the classroom is as good as it is on the field.
Miami Dade Christian standout junior Darian Anderson scored twice on special teams – bringing back a kick 80 yards for a score and a 55-yard punt return in a win over Key West.
Wiregrass Ranch sophomore Bryson Rodgers had 304 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in a win over East Bay.
Jacksonville Trinity Christian’s Caleb Stevenson stroked a game-winning field goal with four seconds to play downed nationally-ranked American Heritage, 3-0.
Christian Schultz booted a game-winning 38-yard field goal as time expired to keep Jacksonville Sandalwood perfect at Ocala Trinity Catholic, 17-14. Chris Calhoun rushed for 40 yards and finished 12 of 18 for 166 yards and two passing touchdowns.
Joe Morrison picked off three passes as Jacksonville Lee exploited six turnovers to down host Lake City Columbia in Lake City, 38-21. Jaheim Singletary Jaheim Singletary 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Jacksonville Lee | 2022 State FL scored the go-ahead TD.
Preston Strope topped the 200-yard, surpassing 1,000 for the season while adding three touchdowns as Creekside shut out Jacksonville Atlantic Coast, 29-0.
Green Cove Springs Clay junior Al’Querious Ray was at it again this past week, rushing for 205 yards and two scores against Menendez (2-3), one week after going for 243 yards and three TDs in a 49-7 win over Menendez.
St. Augustine running back Ty Baxter had 217 yards rushing on 17 carries, with five touchdowns in a 56-21 win over Matanzas.
Joe Carter scored two rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown and a pick-six to lead Jacksonville University Christian to a 35-0 win over Foundation Academy.
Starke Bradford County used a huge performance by Erric Smith, who accounted for over 150 yards in a 28-6 win over Gainesville PK Yonge.
Cyncere Wilson’s 75-yard kick return with 4:06 left proved to be the difference as Port Orange Spruce Creek beat Orange City University, 27-22.
The North Fort Myers defense came up with their fourth shutout of the year, beating Fort Myers Dunbar, 17-0. Senior end Cash Davis, senior linebacker Conner Leyden and senior lineman Paxton Walker forced five punts, two turnovers and made two stops on fourth downs.
Jeremiah Connelly Jeremiah Connelly WR Orlando Edgewater | 2022 FL stripped Kissimmee Osceola quarterback Chad Mascoe Chad Mascoe 6'0" | 220 lbs | QB Kissimmee Osceola | 2022 State FL after chasing him from behind and Bryce Turner scooped the ball on a bounce near midfield and returned it for a score as Orlando Edgewater won 31-24.
Lake Howell quarterback Koen Koller ran for two touchdowns and passed for two as the Silver Hawks cruised to a 41-0 home win over Winter Springs.
Sean Johnson threw four TD passes in the early going and The First Academy rolled to a 63-0 win against Trinity Prep (0-3).
Orangewood Christian senior Kaderris Roberts scored four TDs and the Rams (3-3) won 48-26 vs. visiting West Oaks Academy.
Wilkerson St. Juste ran for three TDs and Dontavious Rogers ran for two scores as Central Florida Christian Academy’s defense forced four turnovers and the Eagles rolled to a 55-14 home win against Spring Hill Bishop McLaughlin.
Titusville Astronaut RB Abreon Torres ran for six touchdowns in a 63-24 road victory. The War Eagles are 4-0, while home team Holy Trinity dropped to 1-3. His scores went for 1, 45, 20, 73, 21 and 1 yards
Versatile Brady Denaburg added to his resume with a 52-yard field goal and also threw touchdown passes of 10 yards to Dallas Donahue and 8 yards to Darin Myers in a 54-0 win over Cocoa Beach.
Junior quarterback Ty Summerall threw for 186 yards and three touchdowns in Lake Wales’ 41-16 victory fover Hardee County
Junior quarterback Paxton Coon connected on 10 of 14 passes for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns to give George Jenkins a 21-6 win over Poinciana. Joey Cheshire had a pair of receptions, one for a 17-yard touchdown, and Deshawn Wilson caught four balls for 56 yards and one for a score for 21 yards.
Running back Jaylon Glover Jaylon Glover 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Lakeland Lake Gibson | 2022 State FL ran for four touchdowns and caught a pass for another score as Lakeland Lake Gibson rolled. Senior running back/linebacker JJ McKinley had three pass receptions, an interception and returned a punt for a touchdown.
Once again, Miami Gulliver Prep standout Jayvon Only Jayvon Only LB Miami Gulliver Prep | 2022 FL led the way in a win over North Palm Beach Benjamin with 11 assists, two tackles for loss, an interception return of 98 yards, a forced fumble and 7.5 tackles.
Amir Brown rand for 161 yards and 3 TDs in Daytona Beach Seabreeze’s win.
Tampa Jesuit senior QB Joe Pesnansky completed 11 passes for 323 yards and 3 TDs in a win over Tampa Robinson.
Clearwater Central Catholic DB Johntavious Bonner returned an interception for a touchdown that set the tone on defense. He also scored on a reception with 34 seconds left that proved to be the game winner against Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.
Tampa Cambridge Christian senior LB Noah Kent finished with 11 tackles, a forced fumble and broke up a pass in a win against Jordan Christian Prep.
Lutz Steinbrenner sophomore RB Kirby Vorhees rushed for 195 yards on 12 carries and scored four touchdowns in a win over Blake.
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.