Raider Press Box

Aquinas #1 in national poll for first time

Defending 5A champion St. Thomas Aquinas moved into the No. 1 spot of this week's National Prep Poll, giving the talent-rich state of Florida the top-ranked team in the Top 25 for at least one week for the third consecutive season

The Raiders, who defeated previously unbeaten South Plantation 38-10 following a two-week layoff, join Miami Northwestern -- which spent 12 weeks at No. 1 last season before finishing the year ranked No. 2 -- and Lakeland -- which took over the top spot in Week 8 of 2006 and ended the season as Prep Poll champion -- as recent Florida-based top-ranked teams.

National Prep Poll

HOLLYWOOD REALITY

Aquinas has a short week of practice to ready for a road game against district opponent Hollywood Hills.  The Raiders (3-0, 0-0) begin defense of their 2007 Class 5A-16 District Title against the Spartans (1-3, 1-0) at McArthur Stadium-Thursday October 2. 

St. Thomas continued their strong offensive play with a 38-10 victory over the South Plantation Paladins.  The win extended the Raiders' consecutive winning streak to 12.  In their three games played this season, the Raiders have scored a toucdown in 11 of 12 quarters.  The lone exception was in the opening period of the season versus Cincinnati Elder.

Raider running backs, James White and Gio Bernard, combined for 234 rushing yards and two touchdowns while Ronnie Kennedy added a touchdown on a 72-yard kickoff return in the third quarter against the Paladins.

Aquinas used the kicking-by-committee formula to add to their their lead. Returning from an injury he suffered last Spring,  Mike Palardy kicked a 31-yard field goal and joined Ben Hopfinger and Kevin Alexander in adding extra points.  The kickers along with punter, Ben Turk, averaging 30 yards per punt, combined to keep South Plant to an average starting field position on their own 22 yard line.

The Raider pass defense lead by Cody Riggs' 4 pass break-ups held the Paladins to 0 completions in 10 attempts.

Hollywood Hills enters the game after their first victory of the season over district rival South Broward. 

No happy Hollywood ending, it's just back to reality for Hills as St. Thomas wins their 46 consecutive district game to go 4-0 on the season.

Raider Press Box Prediction: Aquinas by 14

RAIDERS BACK IN ACTION-BYE BYE

St. Thomas Aquinas returns to action on Friday after back-to-back bye weeks. The Raiders head just down the road to play the South Plantation High School Paladins.   Although the Raiders and Paladins have met 15 times in this series, it will only be for the second time at South Plantation's on-campus stadium.

The 21 day break between games for the Raiders is the longest in their history.  Since the 1975 season Aquinas has a record of 23 wins against 6 losses when coming off a bye week.

The nationally-ranked Raiders (2-0) enter the game with an eleven game winning streak. The Paladins (2-0) have recorded wins over Western and Hollywood Hills to start the 2008 season.  Although the all-time series has seen many hard fought games, St. Thomas stands with a lopsided 15-0 record against the Paladins.

The Raider defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown in their first two games.  Their offense is averaging 42 points per game with 7 touchdowns rushing and 4 passing.

No winning streaks stopped in this one.  Look for the well-rested Raiders to stretch their current wining streak to 12 straight and add one more victory to their total in this series.

Raider Press Box Prediction: Aquinas by 17

Weekly Poll Roundup

Aquinas continues their lofty rankings in national and Florida polls.

The Weekly Poll Roundup includes the AP Class 5A poll, the Beef 'O' Brady's all-class poll, the USA Today Super 25 poll, the National Prep Poll and the ESPN Fab 50 poll. 

Associated Press - #1
Beef 'O' Brady's - #1
USA Today - #5
National Prep Poll - #2
ESPN Fab 50 - #3

Hollywood Hills game moved to Thursday Oct. 2

The district opener against Hollywood Hills, originally scheduled for Friday October 3rd, has been moved to Thursday October 2nd. The time and location remain unchanged. The game will kickoff at 7pm at McArthur High School.

OFFICIAL TIME OUT

After starting the season with two convincing victories, the Raiders are sidelined without any game action for 21 days.  Aquinas resumes their schedule on the road against South Plantation on September 26.

St. Thomas recorded their second win of 2008 against an overmatched Cardinal Gibbons team.  The determined Chiefs were overwhelmed in this running clock, bench-clearing victory by the Raiders.

The Raiders' rushing attack was led by Gio Bernard  with 104 yards and Beau Bucci with 61 yards.  The ground game accounted for five touchdowns with James White scoring two and Bernard, Joseph Bostick and Jamal Wilson running for one each.

Senior QB, Ryan Becker, threw for 127 yards with a 44 yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Difton.  WR Difton never broke stride as he caught the ball on a takeoff route down the North sideline.

Dylan Drake, defensive end, led the defense with a fumble touchdown recovery in the Chief's endzone as well as recording his second sack of the young season.

Notre Dame University verbal commit, Ben Turk, averaged 42 yards per punt with one punt downed inside the 20 yard line and a long punt of 53 yards.  Kicker Ben Hopfinger was a perfect 6 of 6 on PATs.

 

Aquinas ranked #1 in state all-class poll

The Raiders are ranked #1 in the first Beef 'O' Brady's Top 25 Poll of the regular season. The Beef 'O' Brady's Top 25 Poll is the only all-class poll in the state of Florida. It is administered by Steve Berrey, the host of the weekly Beef 'O' Brady's scoreboard show.

Aquinas is seeking it's first all-class state championship since the inception of the poll in 1995.

Beef 'O' Brady's Top 25 - Week 1

Aquinas remains #6 in USA Today Super 25

There was no change this week for St. Thomas Aquinas in the USA Today Super 25 high school football poll. The Raiders stayed at #6 after their 49-3 victory over catholic school rival Cardinal Gibbons.

Aquinas hits the field next on September 26 against South Plantation.

USA Today Super 25

Aquinas jumps to #2 in National Prep Poll

The Raiders moved up 2 spots in this week's National Prep Poll after their 49-3 victory over Cardinal Gibbons. Aquinas, now ranked 2nd, has a two week break before hitting the field against South Plantation on September 26.

National Prep Poll - Week 4

HOME SWEET HOME

Aquinas returns to their home field after their historic victory over Cincinnati Elder to find a familiar opponent waiting.  The Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs visit Brian Piccolo Stadium for the match up known as the "Catholic Bowl" in the Raiders' 2008 season home opener.

The history of this Raiders versus Chiefs/Redskins series needs a quick review.  Overall, St. Thomas leads the series with a 34-9 record which includes 12 consecutive victories dating back to 1996. Aquinas Head Coach George Smith holds a 29 wins-one loss record in games he has coached against Cardinal Gibbons. When the two teams have met in home opening games at "The Picc", the Raiders are undefeated with a 6-0 mark.

The Raiders win their second game of the 2008 season with another victory against a catholic school team while extending their consecutive win streak to 11.

No tailgating allowed for this game, St. Thomas is all business.

Raider Press Box Prediction: Aquinas by 24