With an undefeated regular season completed, St. Thomas Aquinas (10-0) moves into the 2008 Florida High School Football Championship Series attempting to capture back-to-back Class 5A State titles. The Coconut Creek Cougars (7-3) are their first round playoff opponent Friday night at Brian Piccolo Stadium.
In front of a large crowd at Miramar, the Raiders' defense grounded the high-powered Patriot passing offense and lead Aquinas to a 49-2 victory ensuring the tenth undefeated regular season in their 63 year history.. The Raiders put constant pressure on Miramar's star QB, Eugene Smith, which resulted in eight sacks. Defensive lineman Jean Luc Charles recorded three sacks and recovered a fumble. Raider co-captain Conor O'Neill lead the defense with 5.5 tackles and a forced fumble. Vinnie Mauro, junior linebacker, had 3.5 tackles-for-loss.
For the third straight game Giovanni Bernard rushed for over 100 yards finishing with 105 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. QB Ryan Becker had a big night passing. Becker hit on touchdown passes to Dwayne Difton and James White. Becker's most impressive play came when he called his own number and scored on a 48 yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Beau Bucci and Duron Carter also scored for the Raiders.
Coconut Creek finished runner up to Dillard High School in the highly competitive Class 5A District 15 . Creek averaged 16 points per game while holding opponents to just 13 points per game. The team is equally adapt at the run and the pass. The Cougars are a solid unit which plays hard and is consistent week to week.
Aquinas starts post season play on a 19 game winning steak. They call this part of the season the playoffs, but it's better called the "playons ". At this point in the season, only victories allow the Raides to "play on " to a state championship.
The focused Raiders over run the Cougars in this regional quaterfinal matchup and continue on their way to playing for their second-straight state title.
Raider Press Box Prediction: Raiders by 30
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