The Raiders (12-0) continue their march through the Class 5A Championship Series against a surprise visitor to Piccolo Stadium. The South Fork Bulldogs (9-3) from Stuart are St. Thomas' Round 3 opponent in a regional final contest.
Aquinas feasted on the Dillard Panthers in their regional semifinal match-up on Thanksgiving weekend. The Raiders whipped the Panthers,49-8. Dillard had no answer for the St. Thomas defense as the Raiders shut down the Panther's rush offense and ended the season for Dillard. The victory over Dillard marked the 330th win for Raider Head Coach George Smith.
Dillard's best offense punch came in the fourth quarter when one of their offense lineman connected with a sucker punch to the chin of a Raider defensive linemen. We look for the FHSAA to administer the appropriate punishment for this uncalled-for assault.
Raider defenders had eight tackles for loss along with 5 sacks. Dylan Drake recorded three sacks while Vinnie Mauro (5.5 tackles, 2 TFL's), Conor O'Neill (4.5 tackles, 1 TFL) and Brian Robinson (4 tackles, 1TFL) helped hold the visitors to 191 yards total offense.
Unheraled Raider quarterback, Ryan Becker, connected on 4 touchdown passes. Duron Carter caught two TD passes to raise his season total to 11. Beau Bucci and Gabe Holmes accounted for the other two.
Giovanni Bernard carried four times for 122 yards with touchdown runs of 65 and 15 yards.
Aquinas Kicker Michael Palardy added seven PAT's, as he has connected on 55 of 57 on the season.
For the first time in their school history, South Fork will play for the regional championship. South Fork, a district runner-up, has beaten two consecutive undefeated district winners-Melbourne Palm Bay and Delray Atlantic-to advance in the playoffs. The Bulldogs enter this game on a six game winning streak .
South Fork has scored over 40 points in only one of the twelve games this season while the Raiders have averaged 45 points per game in their twelve contests.
The clock strikes midnight early for the Cinderella team from Martin County. On Friday evening the Raiders will stick a fork in the Bulldogs and end the 'dogs' 2008 season.
The Raiders keep their eye on the prize moving forward in the playoffs winning their 22nd straight game and remaining unbeaten this season as Coach Smith wins his 60th all-time playoff game.
Raider Press Box Prediction: Raiders by 17
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