7A CHAMPIONSHIP – St. Thomas Wins 12th Title
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After beating Orlando Edgewater by a few points in the 2019 7A state title game, many expected much of the same this past Saturday night from once beaten St. Thomas Aquinas and twice beaten Orlando Edgewater. Saving the best game…
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Continue ReadingAfter beating Orlando Edgewater by a few points in the 2019 7A state title game, many expected much of the same this past Saturday night from once beaten St. Thomas Aquinas and twice beaten Orlando Edgewater.
Saving the best game for last, Roger Harriott’s Raiders and Cameron Duke’s Eagles once again battled it out for all four quarters, and in the end, St. Thomas Aquinas had won its 12th state football title, 31-21, on a beautiful night at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium.
The win breaks a tie that the Raiders held along with Jacksonville Bolles, who were beaten this year by Cardinal Gibbons.
STA GETS OUT OF THE GATE FAST
The Raiders struck first with 6:21 left in the opening quarter when Anthony Hankerson Anthony Hankerson 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdae St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL ran it in from the 4 and a 7-0 lead.
The Eagles tied the game at seven with 6:52 left in the first half on a 9-yard run by sophomore Cedric Baxter.
St. Thomas Aquinas regained the lead at 14-7 when junior running back Anthony Hankerson Anthony Hankerson 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdae St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL dazzled the crowd with a 12-yard run for a score.
The Raiders extended the lead to 21-7 with 1:32 left in the first half on a 46-yard interception return by Ja’Den McBurrows Ja’Den McBurrows 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL , who stepped in front of a Canaan Mobley pass.
The Eagles would not go away – as they moved in to cut the lead to 21-14 on a 3-yard run by Baxter as the half came to an end.
After trading possessions in the third quarter, the Raiders made it 24-14 with 3:11 left on a field goal by Max Larsen from 32-yards out.
The Eagles came right back at the 1:31 mark of the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Jeremiah Connelly Jeremiah Connelly WR Orlando Edgewater | 2022 FL and it was 24-21 St. Thomas Aquinas.
Hankerson gave the Raiders a 31-21 lead with 9:15 left in the fourth quarter on a 9-yard run.
DEFENSE MAKES AN IMPACT
Every game in the state finals has featured some impressive defensive performers – and this game is no different.
St. Thomas featured Kylan Stephens, King Mack, Dallas Turner Dallas Turner 6'4" | 245 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL , Derrieon Craig, Jaydon Hood Jaydon Hood 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL , Isaiah Taylor and Tyson Russell Tyson Russell 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 FL .
The Eagles boasted Christopher Fulse, Jeremiah Connelly Jeremiah Connelly WR Orlando Edgewater | 2022 FL , Kevin Butler, D’Antre Robinson and Chrishaun Anderson.
OFFENSIVE PROSPECT STANDOUT
Having solid defensive players is always vital to the success of any team.
The Raiders had receivers Bralon Brown Bralon Brown 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2021 State FL , Antonio Spencer, Mason Taylor, Maurice Newton and Camden Brown Camden Brown 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL .
Edgewater’s Tommi Hill Tommi Hill 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Orlando Edgewater | 2021 State FL , Kye Rivers and Christian Leary Christian Leary 5'11" | 185 lbs | WR Orlando Edgewater | 2021 State FL are always going to be solid.
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