Raider Press Box

ROAD TO PERFECTION

The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (13-0) travel to meet the Bradenton Manatee Hurricanes (12-1) in the Class 5A State Semifinal.  The Raiders have reached the semifinal for the sixth consecutive season.

For a half the Blanche Ely Tigers held the powerful Raiders in check, but Ely made crucial mistakes and the Raiders capitalized rallying in the second half for a 28-16 win in the Region 4 Class 5A Final.

The victory is St. Thomas' 37th in a row.

With the Raiders ahead 16-8 late in the third period, Junior DB Marcus Roberson intercepted an Ely pass at the goal ending the Tigers upset bid.

St. Thomas' Keion Payne picked off an Ely pass and scored on a 28 yard return to get the Raiders on the scoreboard in the second quarter.

The Raider defense was lead by Vinnie Mauro with 7.5 tackles along with Sophomore LB Cole Champion with 6.5 stops.

Ely used their speed to pressure Raider QB Jake Rudock and slow down running backs James White and Giovanni Bernard.

The Raider offense settled down in the third quarter taking the lead as Mike Palardy kicked a 18 yard field goal.  Lamarcus Joyner, a Florida State University commit, followed with a 3 yard touchdown.

Rashad Greene gathered in a Rudock pass and snaked his way to the end zone for a touchdown.  James White finished the Raider scoring with an 11 yard rushing TD sending the Ely fans to the exits.

 Manatee 

The Canes are searching for their fifth state title, the first since 1992, when it defeated Fort Lauderdale Dillard. Manatee is looking to reach the State Final for the first time since 1993, when they lost to Miami Southridge.

Look for Aquinas to weather the Hurricanes and continue on their road to another championship final in Orlando.

Raider Press Box Prediction: Raiders by 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERFECT PREY

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.

DOG GONE

The undefeated Aquinas Raiders (11-0) face the South Broward Bulldogs (10-1) in a regional semifinal playoff elimination game.  Just three weeks ago, the Raiders handed the Bulldogs their only loss of the season, 51-7, in a game that decided the the district championship.  The rematch once again will be played at Brian Piccolo Stadium on Friday night. 

In Round One of the playoffs, St. Thomas crushed the Coral Springs Colts, 66-8, with a running clock that began at the start of the 3rd quarter.  The Aquinas offense rushed for 4 touchdowns and passed for 3; while the defense and special teams added one TD each.

RB James White, only played a half, but the senior scored three times while rushing for 176 yards on 6 carries.

Running back Dami Ayoola scored on a run and a pass reception.  Jamal Wilson opened the scoring for the Raiders with a 39 yard touchdown run.  Lamarcus "The Freak" Joyner hauled in a 25 yard touchdown pass from QB Jake Rudock (8 passes-6 completions-3 touchdown passes with 117 passing yards).

Senior defensive lineman Dorian Grant blocked a Colt punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for the touchdown.  LB Vinnie Mauro was the leading tackler with 5.

Aquinas' Rashad Greene fielded a Coral Springs' punt at the Raider 47 yard line and weaved his way to a 53 yard punt return.

In what's becoming a weekly routine, kicking specialists, Mike Palardy and Ben Hopfinger, combined for 11 kickoffs resulting in 11 touchbacks giving Coral Springs no return yardage.  Palardy and Hopfinger have kicked 21 consecutive touchbacks in St. Thomas' last 3 games.  The Raiders did not punt.  Hopfinger added a 32 yard field goal in the 2nd quarter.

South Broward

The Raiders look to extend their current winning streaks-35 consecutive games, 11 straight playoff wins-against the Bulldogs and retain their number one national ranking.

There's no dog gone chance for South Broward as the Raiders will extend both of their winning streaks in front of a Thanksgiving weekend crowd of Raider alums.  Aquinas plays one game at a time and heads to the Class 5A Regional Final as the Bulldogs season ends. 

Raider Press Box Prediction:  Raiders by 35 

OFFENSE AND DEFENSE

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 

 

 

 

NATIONAL STAGE

For the third time during the 2009 season, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (9-0) appear on live national television as the Cypress Bay Lightning (5-4) visit "The Picc" on Senior Night to wrap up the regular season.

In last week's showdown of undefeated teams, the Raiders rolled over district foe the South Broward Bulldogs, 51-7, in front of a standing room only crowd.  The Raiders built a 30-0 halftime lead. The running clock "mercy rule" was started early in the third quarter.

With the victory, Aquinas won its 33rd game in a row, 54th straight district game and captured the District 16-5A championship--its' 13th district title in a row and 26th overall. 

James White lead the Raider offense with 121 yards on 11 carries scoring on runs of 31 and 32 yards.  Lamarcus Joyner ran for a seven yard touchdown and scored on a 99-yard kickoff return to open the second half.  Quarterback Jacob Rudock returned from an ankle injury and tossed two touchdown passes -- 33 yards to Rashad Greene and 13 yards to Phillip Dorsett.

Back up Sophomore QB Max Lescano connected with Austin Bombich on a 17 yard touchdown pass marking the first career touchdown for both players.

Kicking specialist Mike Palardy added a 32 yard field goal along with four extra points.  Ben Hopfinger also chipped in two extra points along with four kickoffs for touchbacks.

Led by the Raiders' leading tackler, Vinnie Mauro, the defense shut down the Bulldog rushing attack.  For the second straight game, Sophomore Cole Champion provided solid defense with four tackles from his linebacker position. 

Cypress Bay

The Lightning finished as runner up in their Class 6A district play to earn a playoff spot. 

Cypress Bay's Head Coach, Mark Guandolo, is one of the winningest coaches in South Florida.

Friday night's weather forecast calls for clear skies with no lightning strikes at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium.

Look for the Raiders to close out their 2009 regular season undefeated -- winning their 34th straight game and retaining their number 1 national ranking. 

Raider Box Prediction: Raiders by 25

Live Coverage

CBS College Sports Network will provide a nationwide live broadcast of the game beginning at 8:00 PM EST. Check your local cable listings for game night coverage. 

670AM, WWFE will provide live streaming internet coverage beginning at 8:00 PM EST.

 

DREAM ON

The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (8-0) welcome the undefeated South Broward Bulldogs (8-0) to Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium in a game that will decide the District 16-5A championship.  The Bulldogs look to keep their dream season alive; as the Raiders attempt to hold on to their #1 national ranking.

Last week the Raider defense dominated the Deerfield Beach Bucks to help St. Thomas earn a 27-0 victory in a non-district game. 

Vinnie Mauro again lead the St. Thomas defense with 9 tackles which included a forced fumble, 4 tackles-for-loss and 2 sacks.  With the Raiders leading 13-0, sophomore LB Cole Champion intercepted a Buck's pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Raider RB James White rushed for two touchdowns of 3 and 62 yards.  White broke free out of the Wildcat formation for his 62 yard score to finish the Raider scoring. 

Kicking specialist Michael Palardy added two field goals (35, 32 yards) and three extra points. Palardy punted once for 62 yards.

The Bucks, the last team to defeat the Raiders over two years ago, managed to record an additional lowlight in their loss.

With Raider backup QB Max Lescano playing for injured starter Jake Rudock, a Deerfield Beach defender snatched Lescano's quarterback wristband with his play card inside from his wrist. The Buck's defender quickly passed the wristband to a Deerfield assistant coach who pocketed it.  The game officials questioned the assistant who after initially denying that he had the Raider's play card, finally flung the wristband back on the field.  So much for sportsmanship.

South Broward

The Bulldogs have had a dream 2009 season so far. South Broward's fantasy of a district championship comes crashing down this Friday as they realize it was all just a pipe dream. 

Aquinas collars the dawgs winning their 13th consecutive district championship and winning their 33rd game in-a-row.

Raider Box Prediction: Raiders by 22

HALLOWEEN TREAT

Prep poll leader St. Thomas Aquinas (7-0) travels to Lockhart Stadium to meet their long-time nemesis, the Deerfield Beach Bucks (5-2).  The Aquinas-Deerfield Beach all-time series stands at 10 wins and 10 losses.

The McArthur Mustangs arrived at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium looking to snap their two game losing streak. No chance for the Mustangs, as the Raiders destroyed an outmatched McArthur squad, 49-7, in a district game.  The victory was the 52nd district win-in-a-row for Aquinas dating back to the 1996 season.

St. Thomas Head Coach, George Smith, recorded his 340 career victory.  The win ensured Aquinas their 19th consecutive trip to the playoffs.

Aquinas scored on their first offensive snap.  QB Jake Rudock rifled a 48 yard TD pass to Rashad Greene down the South sideline for the early lead.

Junior wide receiver Phillip Dorsett scored three touchdowns, one rushing and two receiving.  James White and Lamarcus Joyner added rushing touchdowns as the Raiders built a 42-0 halftime lead.

The mercy rule was in effect at the start of the second half.  Running back Nick Arena powered in for another Raider rushing TD in the third quarter to increase the lead to 49-0.

Linebackers Vinnie Mauro with 5.5 tackles and Garth Jobb with 3.5 tackles lead the Raider defense,  Both Dean Fillichio and John Baglia chipped in with a sack and a tackle-for-loss as St. Thomas held McArthur to six first downs.

Aquinas kicking combo, Mike Palardy and Ben Hopfinger, kicked off nine times with all nine resulting in touchbacks.  The Raiders did not punt in the game.

As the score reached 49-0 and the running game clock sped towards game's end, several McArthur players, as well as, a Mustang coach decided to start trash talking in the Raiders direction.  (Note to McArthur Mustangs: calling out the Raiders is not very effective when you are losing 49-0.)

Deerfield Beach

The Raiders' three remaining regular season games are against playoff-type teams.  First up is Deerfield Beach at Lockhart Stadium.  The Raiders have won 18 consecutive games at Lockhart.

The last time St. Thomas has lost a game was to Deerfield Beach in the 2007 season.

The Bucks feature a spread offense with plenty of athletes and team speed.

Halloween spirits haunt the Bucks and deliver a win to the Raiders' treat bag.  The Raider win streak extends to 32 games in-a-row.

Raider Pressbox Prediction: Raiders by 20

 

STREAKING TOWARD THE PLAYOFFS

Riding Florida High School football's longest current winning streak at 30 straight wins, St. Thomas Aquinas (6-0, 1-0) meets district rival, the McArthur Mustangs (4-2, 0-1), at Brian Piccolo Stadium. A victory for St. Thomas can secure the Raiders a place in the 2009 state playoffs.

Last week's homecoming game against the Miramar Patriots saw the Raiders reach into their offense bag of tricks and pull out a new weapon--the Wildcat formation.  The clash between Broward County's top two teams finished in a 31-6 win for the nationally # 1 ranked Raiders. 

RB, James White was the triggerman in the 'cat.  Early on the formation threw the physical Patriot defense out of their rhythm.  The Pats struggled to defend it, while the Raiders built a 17-0 halftime lead.  White gained 96 yards on 16 carries with a 22-yard TD run.

Junior Quarterback Jake Rudock had three touchdown passes on 10 of 19 for 155 yards.  Rudock's TD passes were a 9-yard pass to Junior WR, Rashad Greene, a 60-yard strike to Junior WR, Phillip Dorsett and a 5-yarder to Senior RB, Nick Arena. The Class of 2011 passer has totaled 17 touchdown passes through six games in 2009.

Junior DB, Marcus Roberson lead the St. Thomas defense with 8.5 tackles with LB Vinnie Mauro adding 4 tackles.

The Raiders continued to benefit from the strong performances of kicking specialists, MPal and BHop, also known as, Michael Palardy and Ben Hopfinger.  The Pal-Hop combination kicked 6 touchbacks, a field goal and added 4 points after touchdown.  Palardy, a University of Tennessee commit, gave the St. Thomas defense great field position with four punts averaging 47.5 yards with a long of 52 yards.  The Patriots average starting field position was their own 22 yard line.

District Play

McArthur started the season 4-0, but have dropped their last two games.  Their first defeat was to South Broward High, a district opponent, by one point.  The Mustangs lost the lead by giving up 12 points in the last two minutes of the heartbreaking loss.

Mustang Coach Mike Zarra is a STA alum and a former assistant coach under current Raider Head Coach George Smith.

Raiders make the homecoming for Mustang's Coach Z. not very much fun.  The Raiders go ugly, early; and put this contest away by the middle of the 3rd quarter.  Aquinas locks up their spot in the playoffs.

The St. Thomas streak continues to 31 and 52 straight district wins.

Raider PressBox Prediction: Raiders by 28

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET

The St. Thomas Aquinas footballers have reached midseason with an unbeaten 5-0 record and a Number 1 national prep ranking.  This week's opponent, the Miramar Patriots, also enter Friday's game at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium with a 5-0 2009 season mark.

Aquinas did what was predicted on the road last Friday against Nova with a 56-0 win over a young Titan squad.  A running clock began at the start of the second half. This was the Raiders 51st consecutive district victory, as well as, their 29th consecutive win.

The Raiders struck early and often opening a 42-0 halftime lead as the Titans were no match for the powerful St. Thomas offense and defense.  In the third quarter the Raiders had no offensive possessions, yet they still added 14 points on the scoreboard.

The game featured 3 touchdown passes by QB, Jake Rudock; one to RB, James White and two to WR, Rashad Greene.  Greene has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Raiders' five victories.

Three Raiders had game highlights scoring their first career touchdowns. DL, John Baglia scored on a 20 yard blocked punt return (blocked by Cody Riggs).  Raider long snapper, Danny Adams, fielded a Titan onside kickoff and sprinted in for a 48 yard kickoff return.  While DB, Bryan Johnson recovered a Nova fumble and rumbled 54 yards for the TD and the final margin of victory.

Raider Homecoming

Aquinas meets Miramar in St. Thomas' annual homecoming game at Piccolo Stadium.

If the Raiders were distracted by the homecoming celebration, they have found renewed focus in a news article published after Miramar's win last week.  The bulletin board material provided is a quote by a Miramar player predicting a Patriot victory over Aquinas.

"Our defense is much better than St. Thomas-faster-and I feel like we're a little more dedicated, and determined and hungry.", said the Pats' player. When asked, "Can Miramar win?"  The response, "Yes, no doubt".

There's not enough Patriots to win this battle.  And as the current pop song says " that's what you get for waking up"... the Raiders.  St. Thomas dances to 30 wins-in-a row. 

Raider PressBox Prediction: Raiders 38, Patriots 14

SEASON WITHIN THE SEASON

Tonight, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (4-0) face off against their District 16-5A opponent the Nova Titans in the first district contest of the 2009 season for both schools.  The Raiders travel to play at Nova High School Stadium for the first time.

Aquinas is coming off a nationally-televised victory, 42-34, over the Byrnes Rebels at Lockhart Stadium.  The win extended the Raiders' win steak to 28 and solidified their national high school number 1 ranking.

Against Byrnes, the Raiders offense was lead by QB Jake Rudock with a 9 of 17 passing performance for 196 yards and four touchdown passes.  LaMarcus Joyner, Phillip Dorsett, Rashad Greene and James White caught TD passes.  White lead the Aquinas rushing attack with 82 yards on 7 carries. Joyner also scored on a 93 yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

On defense, LB Vinnie Mauro recorded 11 tackles and a forced fumble while LB Garth Jobb chipped in with 7 tackles.  DB Cody Riggs blocked a 20 yard field goal attempt after a Raider turnover.

District Play Begins

The Raiders begin district play riding a 50 district winning streak dating back to the 1996 season.  The district win streak is a Florida High School Football record.

Aquinas holds a 12-2 advantage in the all-time series versus the Titans.

Look for the powerful Raiders to begin their "season within the season" with a convincing victory over the Titans and improve their overall record to 5-0 for 2009.

RAIDERS RULE!

Raider Pressbox Prediction: Raiders by 31