FORT LAUDERDALE - They have been the talk of Florida high school football for decades. On Thursday night Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas took it one step further.
In the 3M state title game at DRV PNK Stadium, the Raiders won their fourth consecutive state title, came away with their 27 consecutive victory and 14th overall state crown in a 38-21 win over Homestead.
In the four-year title run, the Raiders outscored the opposition, 869-197.
A CLOSE FIRST HALF
The two teams came out on their first series – each committing a turnover. Freshman Justice Fitzpatrick came up with an interception for the Raiders.
St. Thomas Aquinas got on the board first when junior running back Jordan Lyle took it from the 18 with 7:55 left in the first quarter and a 7-0 lead.
The Broncos hung tough after the first quarter, only trailing 7-0 to the three-time defending state champions.
Homestead tied the game at 7-7 with 8:10 left in the first half when junior quarterback Joshua Townsend found Temple University-bound Richard Dandridge from 7 yards out.
The Raiders moved all the way down field trying to get momentum back but turned the ball over when junior linebacker Eduardo Nunez recovered a fumble.
With a 7-7 halftime tie, the Raiders had 184 yards to the Broncos’ 139 yards.
SECOND HALF WAS INDEED EXCITING
The Raiders made it 14-7 with 10:31 left in the third quarter when senior King Mack returned a punt 58 yards for a score.
They extended the lead to 21-7 with 3:26 left in the third quarter when Harris took it 17 yards for the score.
The Broncos came back and cut the lead to 21-13 with 1:24 left on a 14-yard pass from Townsend to senior Javon Robinson.
The Raiders extended their lead with 10:10 left in regulation on a 24-yard field goal by Nicholas Romero and a 24-13.
When Penn State commit Conrad Hussey picked off Townsend with 9:46 left, the Broncos could not answer.
St. Thomas Aquinas moved ahead to 31-13 with 7:16 remaining on a 24-yard pass play from Harris to junior James Madison II.
Homestead came back and made it 31-21 on Townsend’s 5-yard scoring pass to Robinson with 4:36 left. Robinson’ two-point conversion was good.
The Raiders finished off the scoring with time running down on an 8-yard run by Sands. For the 38-21 decision.
FILLING UP THE STAT SHEET
St. Thomas Aquinas finished with 17 first downs to Homestead’s 13. The Raiders finished with 397 yards to the Broncos’ 270.
Individually, Townsend was 15 of 24 for 221 yards and three scores. Robinson caught 6 passes for 91 yards and two scores. Cortez Mills had 5 reception for 79 yards. Isaac Brown had 7 rushes for 37 yards.
On defense, the Broncos' senior Marcus Woodley had 12 tackles, Nunez finished with 7 and David Jester chipped in with 5.
For the Raiders, Hezekiah Harris was 10 of 18 for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Sands finished with 95 yards, Lyle ended with 93 yards and Harris with 61.
Robinson had 4 catches for 59 yards and Madison 3 for 49 and a score.
Defensively for the Raiders,Keyshawn Johnson had 7 tackles (4 sacks), Brown, Mack, Saez (1 sack) and Nick Rodriguez registered 5 apiece. Fitzpatrick and Hussey ended with one interception each.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS (14-0)
ST. JOSEPH’S PREP, W 48-37
Fort Myers, W 42-0
COCOA, W 42-14
Davie Western, W 38-0
Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, W 21-7
Fort Lauderdale Dillard, W 24-6
FORT LAUDERDALE, W 49-13
COCONUT CREEK MONARCH, W 37-6
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, W 44-0
COCONUT CREEK, W 59-14
DELRAY BEACH ATLANTIC, W 63-14
POMPANO BEACH BLANCHE ELY, W 35-7
TAMPA JESUIT, W 45-3
Homestead, W 38-21
THE BRONCOS (11-3)
Miami Killian, W 46-7
Miami Palmetto, W 19-7
HOMESTEAD SOUTH DADE, W 47-0
St. Petersburg Lakewood, W 24-12
SOUTHWEST MIAMI, W 44-0
SOUTH MIAMI, W 22-6
MIAMI CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, L 21-6
Miami Southridge, L 20-8
Miami Northwestern, W 44-28
MIAMI BELEN JESUIT, W 18-7
North Miami, W 40-0
MIAMI DR. KROP, W 35-12
MIRAMAR, W 33-13
ORLANDO JONES, W 30-24
St. Thomas Aquinas, L 38-21
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