St. Thomas In National Spotlight Today
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It is only fitting that one of the nation’s elite programs over the past 30 plus years should be in the spotlight on opening day. With more NFL players than any other high school in the country, the St. Thomas…
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Continue ReadingIt is only fitting that one of the nation’s elite programs over the past 30 plus years should be in the spotlight on opening day.
With more NFL players than any other high school in the country, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders and head coach Roger Harriott will step into the spotlight today (12 noon) for a game on ESPN.
St. Thomas Aquinas, which is rated in the top 10 nationally, will take on Maryland powerhouse St. Frances Academy.
The Raider are two-time defending 7A state champions – with a co-national title two years ago after a win over St. Louis High of Hawaii in the Geico Bowl in Las Vegas.
This is a team that has a mix of veterans and youth prospects, coming in as one of the top teams in the nation. A win today would enhance this program’s national standing – with some impressive programs still left to play.
When Biff Poggi left Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan coaching staff after just one season to become the head coach at St. Frances Academy, he set out with one goal in mind — turn the program into a powerhouse.
The veteran coach accomplished just that, leading St. Frances to a prominent place in the national pecking order. Most importantly, he helped numerous student-athletes land college football scholarships at every level.
Now, he’s returned to a familiar place in the college ranks to put a bow on his coaching career.
St. Frances is left in good hands after Poggi’s departure, as Messay Hailemariam will take over as the program’s new head coach. Hailemariam worked in that role with the program from 2011-15 and has played a major role in its rise to national powerhouse status with Poggi at the helm
10 ST. FRANCIS PLAYERS TO WATCH
2022 – Malik Baker, WR, 5-11, 190
2022 – Jaishawn Barkham, LB, 6-3, 230
2022 – Cornell Evans, DT, 6-1, 280
2022 – John Griffith, QB, 6-1, 206
2022 – Brian Jester, TE/H-Back, 6-3, 240
2022 – Cam Johnson, CB, 6-0, 175 – Virginia Tech commitment
2022 – Derrick Moore, DL, 6-4, 250 – Oklahoma commitment
2022 – Lamar Patterson, WR, 5-11, 175
2022 – Nasir Pierce, DL, 6-3, 275
2022 – Aaron Wilson , DL, 6-2, 235
St. Frances Academy 2021 Schedule
8-28 – at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas
9-3 – St. Joseph’s Regional (N.J.)
9-11 – at Reirstown Franklin
9-17 – at Olney Our Lady of Good Counsel
9-25 – Richmond Beacon Hill, Va.
10-1 – at Concord De La Salle, Ca.
10-9 – at Bryn Athyn Academy of the New Church, Pa.
10-15 – Chester Life Christian Academy, Va.
10-22 – Columbus Bishop Sycamore, Ohio
10-29 – West Toronto Prep, Ontario
11-5 – Oakdale St. Thomas More, Connecticut
11-19 – at Bradenton IMG Academy
10 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PLAYERS TO WATCH
2022 – Julian Armella Julian Armella 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Miami Christopher Columbus | 2022 State FL , OL, 6-7, 290
2022 – Camden Brown Camden Brown 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL , WR, 6-4, 205 – Pittsburgh commitment
2022 – Derrieon Craig, OLB, 5-10, 200
2022 – Anthony Hankerson Anthony Hankerson 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdae St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL , RB, 5-9, 195
2022 – Tellek Lockette Tellek Lockette OL Miami Northwestern | 2022 FL , OL, 6-3, 310
2023 – King Mack King Mack 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL , S, 5-10, 180
2024 – James Madison II, WR, 6-3, 203
2022 – Mason Taylor Mason Taylor 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 FL , TE, 6-4, 225 – LSU commitment
2022 – Zion Turner Zion Turner 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL , QB, 6-2, 195
2023 – David Vadala David Vadala 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 FL , LB, 5-10, 215
St. Thomas Aquinas 2021 Schedule
8-28 – St. Frances Academy
9-3 – at Plantation
9-10 – at Plantation American Heritage
9-17 – Miami Monsignor Pace
9-24 – Western
10-1 – Cooper City
10-8 – at South Plantation
10-16 – at Cardinal Gibbons
10-22 – Dillard
10-29 – at Nova
OTHER SATURDAY GAMES
American Collegiate at Westover, 7:30
Delaware Valley at Wakulla, 8
Jacksonville Ribault at Creekside, 3:30
North Miami at North Miami Beach (Traz Powell Stadium)
Orange Park at Oakleaf, 7
Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast at Plantation American Heritage (Naples, 7)
Tampa Catholic at IMG Blue, 7
World of Knowledge at Vidalia Heritage, 12
TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.