Nationally top-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (12-0) travel to Pompano Beach to face the confident Blanche Ely High School Tigers (11-1) in Round 3 - the Region 4 Class 5A Final. The Tigers have had their eyes on Aquinas since early in the season when they cautioned the Raiders to "watch out".
Aquinas eliminated the South Broward Bulldogs, 63-0, in a Round 2 playoff contest played at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend. South Broward finished the season with 10-2 mark.
Junior QB Jake Rudock rewrote the Raider record book with his 31st touchdown pass of the season to Phillip Dorsett as St. Thomas built a 49-0 halftime lead. Rudock surpassed the single season TD passes record set by Ryan Becker during the 2008 season. Gavin Sinclair, Rashad Greene and Jamal Wilson were also on the receiving end of Rudock touchdown passes. Rudock also scored a touchdown on a one yard run.
Additional rushing touchdowns were scored by Lamarcus Joyner-4 yards, James White-6 yards, Nick Arena-1 yard and Dami Ayoola-7 yards. White gained 68 yards rushing on six carries taking him over the 1,000 yard mark for the season.
Senior Defensive Lineman Matt Stokes lead the Raider defenders with 4.5 tackles including a sack. Cole Champion added 3.5 tackles from his linebacker position. Michael Paen, John Childress and Thomas Kelleher also recorded sacks.
Once again, Kickers-Mike Palardy and Ben Hopfinger-combined on the point after duties accounting for 9 points after touchdown.
Blanche Ely Tigers
The Tigers are approaching this game with Aquinas as just a bump in their road to a state championship. The Raiders have experienced this same confidence with several of their previous opponents this season; each time sending them away with a loss.
The Tigers are looking to make the Raiders their prey, but the hunted become the hunters on Friday night.
Ely wins the war of words; while the Raiders win on the field, extending their winning streak to 37 and moving on to the state semifinal.
Raider Press Box Prediction: Raiders by 17
AM 1470 WWNN radio will broadcast the game locally. Game coverage will also be available streaming live on the internet at www.wwnnradio.com starting at 7:25 PM.
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