The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (10-0) begin defense of their back-to-back Class 5A State Championships against the Coral Springs Colts (7-3) in a regional quarterfinal playoff game Friday at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium.
On Senior Night the Raiders, the nation's top ranked team, jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead against the Cypress Bay Lightning and coasted to its 34th consecutive victory, 35-0, in its third nationally televised game of the season.
St. Thomas, which hasn't lost since a 43-41 loss to Deerfield Beach on October 12, 2007, took command of the game on its first drive of 94 yards in 8 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 4-yard run by James White. QB Jake Rudock went 3 for 3 for 65 yards on the drive and finished the first half 7 for 7 for 139 yards.
Rudock threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to James Dolan, while Rashad Green returned a punt 73 yards for a score and added a 25-yard touchdown reception from Rudock. Vinnie Mauro capped off the scoring with a 60-yard fumble return.
Kicking specialists Ben Hopfinger and Mike Palardy added 5 points after touchdown, as well as, kicking six touchbacks.
Raider defenders stuffed the rushing attack of the Lightning holding Cypress Bay to 99 yards on 53 carries and 107 yards total offense. Leading tacklers for Aquinas were John Childress with 8.5, Dean Fillichio with 4.5, Rey Kirton and Vinnie Mauro both with 4.
Coral Springs
The Colts finished as the runner up in Class 5A - District 15 to Coconut Creek. The Springs offense has averaged 18.4 points per game, while their defense has held their opponents to an average of 16.2 points per game.
The high-powered Raider offense is averaging 42 points per game, while their defense has recorded 3 shutouts and has only allowed more than one touchdown in a game once.
Look for the Raiders to continue their regular season form and outrace the Colts on offense and defense. Aquinas moves on in the playoffs with their 35th consecutive win and their 11th straight playoff victory.
Raider Press Box Prediction: Raiders by 35
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