In the spring, when most high school teams are playing each other in a kickoff classic or jamboree, St. Thomas Aquinas was spending the last precious moments on grass field that provided so many shining moments.
The annual Blue-Gold game, which attracted St. Thomas fans and alumni, brought to an end an era of history that has churned out so many impressive football players throughout the years.
When the curtain opened on the 2007 season, the Raiders had a new field turf to play on as construction continued on a new athletic center that would finally bring this program, one of the nation’s best, up to speed with the rest of the elite programs across the country.
Make no mistake, St. Thomas Aquinas and head coach George Smith have put together one of the best football programs in the country. From top to bottom - this is a program that everyone wants to be like, and while the Raiders have fallen short of winning a coveted 5A state title the past three years, they have remained in the hunt, winning over 96 percent of its games in a 10 year period.
While the program has always been able to showcase some of the area’s top athletes, it has also been home to young men and women who have gotten it done on the classroom. To many, that is far more important than winning games.
The mere mention of St. Thomas Aquinas has an automatic respect along with it. Names such as Mississippi State freshman quarterback Wesley Carroll or Notre Dame sophomore starting offensive tackle Sam Young are the complete student/athlete that this school is known for.
While the names change from year to year, the objective never does. Wear that gold and blue uniform and you expect to win. It’s the way Smith, the school’s Athletic Director, has made things throughout the four decades he’s been a part of this stellar program.
At a facility where nearly every sport has enjoyed success, it’s football where the national attention has come. Graduates such as Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, Miami Dolphins Youth Coordinator and former NFL star Twan Russell, Hollywood City Manager Cameron Benson and so many others have made sure that this school has remained in a positive spotlight.
Football games at St. Thomas are not just football games. They are a major happening. Where else can you look up in the press box and see future NFL Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter calling plays or one-time NFL player and head coach, David Shula, spotting for statistician and webmaster Bart Reid?
As much as the atmosphere will bowl you over, the talent on the field is equally as impressive. The senior class is loaded with quality players. Athletes who are receiving college offers on a daily basis.
On offense, running back Jeremiah Harden (5-10, 185), receiver Philip Pierre-Louis (5-8, 165) and lineman Andrew Datko, a 6-6, 280-pounder.
Defensively, backs John Carr (6-2, 180) and Rodney Gillis (5-9, 170), linebackers Chase Geaney (6-1, 220) and Dorian Graham (5-11,190), and linemen Daniel Daugherty (6-3, 225) and Chris Overstreet (6-2, 380).
There are also some quality youngsters on this team. Athletes who are being recognized nationally as well as locally.
Juniors such as receivers Dwayne Difton (6-1, 180) and Duron Carter (6-2, 175), and quarterback Ryan Becker (6-0, 175) on offense. There is defensive back Ronnie Kennedy (5-8, 160), as well.
The sophomore class is also impressive with running backs Giovanni Bernard (5-9, 170) and James White (5-11, 175). There is also defensive back Brian Robinson (6-0, 175).
While the Raiders have already beaten district rival Hollywood Hills, there are also games against Cooper City, Western, McArthur and South Broward, and of course that much-anticipated non-district meeting with the always tough Deerfield Beach Bucks, which will come up next week on the road!
BCAA BANTER: Running backs Chris Anderson and Derrick Warthen combining for 186 yards and a touchdown, and Nickardo Blake booted a 38-yard field goal in Boyd Anderson’s 10-7 win over rival Dillard last week…
Running back Patrick Charles scored with 58 seconds left on the clock, giving host Piper a 19-14 victory over South Plantation in the schools' District 10-6A opener. Piper (3-1, 1-0) was also led by junior Jerry Caplen, who finished with 76 passing yards on six completions…
Antonio Rodriguez set up his own winning touchdown on a punt return as Coral Glades rallied to defeat Stranahan 12-8 in a District 15-5A game. Trailing 8-6 midway through the fourth quarter, Rodriguez took the punt and raced 53 yards before fumbling. Teammate Robert Haire landed on the loose ball at the Stranahan 25...
Don’t look now, but head coach Mike Zarra and his McArthur Mustangs may be a force in the district. McArthur recorded its third shutout in four games with a 25-0 victory against host Western in a District 16-5A game. The Mustangs used the leg of Chris Secrest, who booted two field goals. The victory raised the Mustangs record to 3-1, 1-0. Western fell to 0-4, 0-1...
Running back Kenjay Trueblood, who also starts at middle linebacker, carried the ball 25 times for 201 yards, eight first downs and two touchdowns in Pines Charter‘s 28-0 win over Pompano Beach. Trueblood was joined in the backfield by senior Robert Fernandez, who carried the ball 12 times for 61 yards and touchdown.
Want to know more about high school football? Check Larry Blustein’s weekly evaluations at www.floridafb.com. You can also reach him via E-Mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com.
