Raider Press Box

What Everybody Ought to Know About "The Catholic Bowl"

The rivalry between the Raiders and Cardinal Gibbons is the longest running series in St. Thomas Aquinas' 62 seasons of playing football.

• in 1964 the teams began the series as the Cardinal Gibbons Redskins versus the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
• in 2007 the schools will play as the Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs versus the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders for the first time. Cardinal Gibbons changed their nickname to Chiefs in 2006.
• the matchup was named the "Catholic Bowl" in the 1960's.
• 42 games played; Raiders lead series with 33 wins and 9 losses.
• longest winning streak in series: Raiders with 15 consecutive wins from 1974 through 1988.
• Raider current winning streak is at 11 games from 1995 through 2005.
• game canceled in 2006 due to weather-related safety concerns.
• 28 wins-1 loss, Raider Head Coach George Smith's record against Cardinal Gibbons. He has not lost since the 1989 season.

Answer Raider Trivia Question, Win Raider Tickets

On each Monday during the regular season, a trivia question will be posted to test your knowledge of Raider Football History.  A randomly selected correct answer will be awarded 2 tickets to a Raider home game. 

The correct answer along with the drawing winner will be listed in the following week's Raider Trivia post.

To enter the contest, click on the Comments link at the end of the trivia question blog; then post your answer in the Comments section.

Here's an easy question to start the season.

Since the Raiders are kicking off the 2007 season with a visit to Cardinal Gibbons High School for their season opener, let's pull this week's question from the long-time history of this rivalry known as "The Catholic Bowl".

Aquinas Runs by Generals, 35-0

STA dominated Miami Jackson last night in a preseason game at American Heritage.

The Raiders rolled up 300 yards rushing behind strong performances from Jeremiah Harden, Ronnie Kennedy, James White and Giovanni Bernard.

The defense forced 3 turnovers in the first half including interceptions by John Hearns and Ronnie Kennedy, and a forced fumble by Conor O'Neill.

The Raiders led 28-0 at the half and a running clock kept the score from getting out of hand.

The Aquinas coaching staff wore shirts in honor of former Dillard coach Otis Gray who passed on Thursday. A moment of silence was observed before kickoff in his memory.

Changes coming, but results likely the same

Change is in the air at STA.

In less than a year STA will have added a new scoreboard, FieldTurf, and a new athletic center. The new facilities being built are long overdue and once completed will elevate the program to a whole new level.

The change is not just confined to facilities. Three assistant coaches left the program during the offseason, two of them long-time assistants. But when a void is created, one is filled. Several talented new coaches have come aboard and some have been elevated to new positions.

But with all the change, one thing remains the same: George Smith. Under the steady hand of Coach Smith, the program will continue to win games and represent the school with class and character.

2007 Raiders - Reload or Rebuild?

The start of the 2007 season is fast approaching with the Preseason Kickoff Classic against the Miami Jackson Generals on Thursday August 23.

With the graduation of the Class of 2007, Aquinas lost a number of key players that were a large part of the successful 2006 season.  Wes Byrum (Auburn University), Wesley Carroll (Mississippi State University), Leonard Hankerson (University of Miami) and Major Wright (University of Florida) along with many other contributing seniors need to be replaced on offense, defense and special teams.

Over the last three seasons Head Coach George Smith has sent a total of 43 players to college football rosters.

Which players from the 2007 Raiders will fill their spots and continue the winning Raider tradition? Follow the Raiders on this blog during the season to find out which players contribute to Raider history.

2007 Raiders - Reload or Rebuild?

Take a moment to cast your vote in the poll to predict the Raiders final 2007 regular season record.  We will publish the results on Saturday September 1 after the season opener against the Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs. Remember, one vote per person.

 

My prediction: 9 wins, 1 loss.

Raider's Michael Irvin inducted into NFL Hall of Fame

Published Sunday August 5, 2007 in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Irvin's induction caps golden night
Ethan J. Skolnick, Sports columnist

CANTON, Ohio Sandy Irvin, wearing a glittery Dallas Cowboys hat, had to wait like everyone else. Her husband of 17 years, never short on words, had refused to share a single one from the speech he had composed for this ceremony — this ceremony at which he would become the first South Florida native enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Still, she had a suspicion about how Michael might act on stage Saturday after seeing him the night before, when he slipped on threads finer than anything in his celebrated wardrobe. Threads that required 750 catches and three years of eligibility to earn. Threads many didn't believe he deserved because of the trouble he had found off the field.

"When they put that yellow jacket on him, I saw him melt," Sandy said, two hours before his turn. "You know, I believe he became a little boy again, just for that moment. Just the way he turned around and looked at me."