By Dave Brousseau
FORT LAUDERDALE – It took an extraordinary effort by a 5-foot-8 senior running back to save the drive for a national high school football championship.
Tyler Reid’s 80-yard scoring run off left tackle secured a St. Thomas Aquinas 31-24 victory over Miami Christopher Columbus on Friday with 6:40 left to play in regulation.
The Raiders (3-0) 17th consecutive victory secured their No.1 national ranking by MaxPreps, just ahead of St. Frances (MD.). Aquinas also extended its winning streak against the Explorers (1-1) to four games.
Reid had career night, rushing for 338 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns, while adding a fourth score on a five-yard pass from quarterback Blake Calixte that gave Aquinas a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.
“It was a great moment,” said Reid, a Pittsburgh commit. “To be honest I don’t know I had the long runs that I had. I’m as shocked as anyone. Getting 300 yards is crazy.”
Reid’s rushing total on the night was not only the most rushing yards in Aquinas’s football history, but ninth most in Broward County football history and 22nd overall.
Reid’s other touchdown runs were 64 yards in the first quarter and another 80-yard scoring run on the second play of the third quarter that gave the Raiders a 24-7 lead.
“Reid is a phenomenal human being,” said St. Thomas Aquinas coach Roger Harriott. “He plays within his spirit. He’s modest and gives most of the credit to his offensive line. These guys are more than teammates, and you saw a direct display of that tonight.”
Columbus rallied with 17 consecutive points on a pair of scoring passes by senior quarterback Kai Moore and Matteo Miller 28-yard field goal with 6:55 to play in regulation.
Then Reid added his second 80-yard touchdown run, Columbus was forced to punt on its ensuing possession, and the Raiders ran out the clock.
The Raiders also opened the season with their 18th 3-0 start of the season dating back to 2000. Aquinas will play Dillard on Thursday at 7 p.m – while Columbus will play their third straight unbeaten team, Miami Palmetto also on Thursday.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.