While much of the state felt that St. Thomas Aquinas would certainly be alive and kicking when week No. 14 rolled around, nobody across Florida could have picked Cypress Bay to be playing as well!
The Lightning pulled out yet another miracle finish in the 6A South Region Semifinal game with another surprise team, Northeast.
The Lightning shocked everyone when the sophomore duo of Jaranta Lewis hooked up with Alex Montgomery, who made a spectacular catch in the end zone, beating the Hurricanes in overtime, 27-21, setting up the Region Finals against Miami Central.
With the game tied and on the verge of overtime, Montgomery ripped the ball out of Kevis Jones' hands in the end zone for a impressive 35-yard touchdown catch.
Lewis orchestrated the game-winning drive with 48 seconds remaining after the Hurricanes tied the score on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jones with 1:02 left. Lewis fired a jump ball on the final play of regulation to the right corner of the end zone, and it appeared Jones had an interception. But, Montgomery leaped up and wrestled for the ball, taking it away from Jones and coming down with the catch to send the Lightning sideline into a frenzy.
Northeast, which eliminated defending state champion Miramar last week to reach its first regional final, made a costly mistake with the score tied at 14 in the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes were called for a 15-yard penalty for 12 men on the field with the Lightning set up to punt on fourth down. Matt Dayes then converted a fourth-and-one to extend the drive and Lewis scrambled for a 30-yard gain to set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Danny Epstein.
The Lightning led 14-7 at halftime after Mario Pannunzio stretched out for a 36-yard catch to the Hurricanes 1-yard line. On the next play, Lewis plunged into the end zone on a quarterback sneak.
RAIDERS ROLL - AGAIN OVER BOYD ANDERSON
Last year, St. Thomas Aquinas traveled to Bradenton with all the hopes of completing what had been one impressive season. The Raiders were upset and had to live with that lone loss for 365 days. This coming Friday can erase all doubt.
Last Friday night, for the second time this year, St. Thomas Aquinas (13-0) rolled over the Boyd Anderson Cobras 47-6, setting up that rematch with the Hurricanes.
The first score came on the Raiders' second drive when Frederick Coppet capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 1-yard run.
With 6:42 left in the third, Jamal Wilson scored on a 19-yard run and on Boyd Anderson's ensuing drive, St. Thomas forced a safety that increased its lead to 26-0. Wilson added another touchdown, this one on a 6-yard run, with 4:14 left in the quarter.
The Raiders’ defense was impressive again, holding Boyd Anderson to just 86 yards of total offense.
Coppet finished with a game-high 14 carries for 82 yards while Iowa-bound quarterback Jake Rudock completed 10 of 17 passing for 116 yards with a touchdown.
Boyd Anderson senior Dane James completed 9 of 19 passes for 103 yards with a touchdown to lead the Cobras.
Here is a look at this Friday’s matchups:
6A
Region Final
Miami Central Rockets (12-1) at Cypress Bay Lightning (11-2), Friday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., Weston: Here you have two different styles teams with neither ever advancing to the state title game.
The Rockets have the high-powered offense that has been able to score on everyone. The Lightning run the vaunted Wing-T attack.
Central has played easily the toughest schedule in the state of Florida this year with three out of state teams on the roster.
At stake is a play in the 6A title game on Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
BCAA PICK: Central 44, Cypress Bay 30.
5A
Region Final
Bradenton Manatee Hurricanes (13-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (13-0), Friday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., Fort Lauderdale: There is really no build-up that needs to take place here. The Hurricanes derailed the Raiders last year and were the only team to beat head coach George Smith and his team in the past three years.
Both teams are well coached and loaded with athletes, but this one game has been the focus of everyone in Raider Nation.
At stake is a play in the 5A title game on Friday, Dec. 17 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
BCAA PICK: St. Thomas Aquinas 31, Bradenton Manatee 24.
You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com. Blustein is the co-host of the High School Gridiron Show each Wednesday night from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) or www.wqam.com.
You can also follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/larryblustein |
