St. Thomas Is A Marathon Success Story
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Through the years, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas has set standards on the football field with superior coaching and gifted talent. They have become the face of Florida high school football through the years – not only for winning state…
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Continue ReadingThrough the years, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas has set standards on the football field with superior coaching and gifted talent.
They have become the face of Florida high school football through the years – not only for winning state titles, but for the record number of football players that leave, head to college and eventually find their way on to NFL rosters.
What the Raiders are is an ongoing success story. A marathon that continues to run with an endless loop of talent. Coming into Friday night’s 7A state semifinal game at home against Gainesville Buchholz – the Raiders are looking to maintain what has gotten them to this point – with George Smith spearheading the direction for over 40 years.
With this year’s 12-1 record, the 2020 season (8-1) that produced a state championship in a Covid-shortened year and 2019, which also produced a state title, a share of a national championship and a perfect 15-0 mark are just part of this program that over the past 10 years have won 125 games.
In 2018, the Raiders produced a 13-2 record and a loss to Lakeland in the finals. In 2017, it was an off year at 12-3, losing to Venice in the state semifinals. The 2016 season saw a 13-2 record and a state title win over Tampa Plant – as did 2015 with a state title victory over Viera and a 13-1 record.
The 2014 season began the run of three straight as the Raiders beat Kissimmee Osceola in the finals and posted and impressive season after losing early in New Jersey to Don Bosco Prep and ended the year with a 15-1 mark. In 2013, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer ended the year at 10-4, which was successful by some standards, but not this program. The 10 years began in 2012 with a 14-2 state championship team that beat Tallahassee Lincoln, giving this program a staggering 125-17 record in that decade!
SENIOR PROSPECTS HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE
The one thing about St. Thomas Aquinas and head coach Roger Harriott, using the veteran players to lead – on and off the playing field is a tradition that those in charge of the Raiders’ football fortunes have stuck by.
This year’s 2022 class has some outstanding prospects – such as national recruits Julian Armella Julian Armella 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Miami Christopher Columbus | 2022 State FL (OL, 6-7, 290), Pittsburgh commit Camden Brown Camden Brown 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL (WR, 6-4, 205), Anthony Hankerson Anthony Hankerson 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdae St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL (RB, 5-9, 195), Tellek Lockette Tellek Lockette OL Miami Northwestern | 2022 FL (OL, 6-3, 310), Blake Steen (OL, 6-5, 318), LSU commit Mason Taylor Mason Taylor 6'4" | 230 lbs | TE Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 FL (TE, 6-4, 225) and two-time state champion quarterback Zion Turner Zion Turner 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 State FL (6-2, 195).
The Class of 2022 also features Dawson Alters (OL, 6-2, 260), Jerrod Cameron Jr. (Athlete, 5-10, 165), playmaker and leader Derrieon Craig (OLB, 5-10, 205), Khalil Hunter (OLB, 6-1, 195), Ryan Mickow Ryan Mickow 6'6" | 295 lbs | OL Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 FL (OL, 6-6, 300), Michael Renoit (DL, 6-2, 240), Boaz Saint-Vil (OG, 6-3, 320), Kyrie Samuel (DT, 5-11, 250), Jaylan Sanchez (WR, 6-1, 190) and running back turned dominating linebacker Jordan Smith Jordan Smith RB Fort Lauderdae St. Thomas Aquinas | 2022 FL (6-0, 220).
UNDERCLASSMEN MAKING A CONTRIBUTION
While there are so many quality seniors making an impact, the Raiders are also set with underclassmen who are stepping up to make a difference. Prospects such as Jason Hammond Jason Hammond 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL (DT, 6-3, 280), Isaiah Hardge Isaiah Hardge 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL (WR, 5-10, 160), speedy Conrad Hussey (S, 6-1, 190), playmaker King Mack King Mack 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL (S, 5-10, 180), David Pein (DT, 5-11, 240), Kimari Robinson Kimari Robinson 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Hollywood McArthur | 2023 FL (CB, 5-11, 175) and defensive end Zakaih Saez Zakaih Saez 6'6" | 235 lbs | DL Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 State FL (6-5, 215) to name a few.
Also, steady running backs Gemari Sands Gemari Sands 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 FL (6-0, 190), and Xavier Terrell (5-8, 175) are major contributors on offense – while talented linebacker David Vadala David Vadala 5'10" | 220 lbs | LB Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas | 2023 FL (5-10, 210) has done some special things well. Even Class of 2024 future stars James Madison II (WR, 6-3, 175), Semaj Jackson (S, 5-8, 160), Michael Kern (K/P, 6-2, 165) and linebacker Nicolas Rodriguez (6-1, 195) lead an emerging group.
2021 SCHEDULE
St. Francis Academy, Maryland, W 38-23
Tampa Jesuit, L 24-21
Plantation American Heritage, W 24-16
Miami Monsignor Pace, W 56-6
Davie Western, W 31-21
Cooper City, W 69-0
South Plantation, W 62-0
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, W 39-14
Fort Lauderdale Dillard, W 23-13
Davie Nova, W 49-7
Delray Beach Atlantic, W 43-7
Miramar, W 42-12
Homestead, W 56-7
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.