Don’t Ever Sell St. Thomas Short!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football is indeed a funny game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just ask Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, which has won three straight state titles, currently has a 26-game winning streak and are a huge favorite to take home another state title on Thursday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When they square off in a first ever Miami-Dade vs. Broward state title game against Homestead, head coach <strong>Roger Harriott's </strong>team still gets little respect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the short ride to DRV PNK Stadium for a 3M matchup with the Broncos, the 13-0 Raiders are not being mentioned along with Miami Central and Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna as having a chance to win a state title, and that is something that does not sit well with players, coaches and fans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a team stacked with talent, starting with the senior class where prospects <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='127995' first='Jayvant' last='Brown']</strong> (LB, 6-1, 225), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275859' first='Justin' last='Coles']</strong> (LB, 6-2, 195), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128080' first='Harrison' last='Green']</strong> (OL, 6-3, 295), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128091' first='Jason' last='Hammond']</strong> (DL, 6-3, 280), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128464' first='Isaiah' last='Hardge']</strong> (WR, 5-11, 165), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128314' first='Hezekiah' last='Harris']</strong> (QB, 6-2, 185), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128647' first='Rashad' last='Henry']</strong> (LB, 6-2, 225), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381477' first='Conrad' last='Hussey'] (</strong>DB, 6-1, 190), <strong>Tekai Kirby</strong> (TE, 6-4, 220), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128717' first='King' last='Mack']</strong> (DB, 5-10, 180), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128600' first='Ryan' last='Mickow']</strong> (OL, 6-6, 300), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128085' first='Zakaih' last='Saez']</strong> (DL, 6-5, 230), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128416' first='Gemari' last='Sands'] </strong>(RB, 6-0, 190), <strong>Ethan Shawn</strong> (WR, 5-11, 160) and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127805' first='Xavier' last='Terrell']</strong> (5-9, 180) have guided this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition, the Class of 2023 also boasts <strong>Giovanni Alonso</strong> (DL, 6-0, 245), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154144' first='Patrick' last='Alston'] Jr.</strong> (DB, 5-10, 175), <strong>Troy Antonoglou </strong>(OL, 6-3, 275), <strong>Gamall Augustin</strong> (OL, 6-6, 275), <strong>Isaac Baker</strong> (OL, 5-10, 275), <strong>Jayden Bell</strong> (DB, 5-10, 160), <strong>Jaylen Bonelli</strong> (WR, 5-11, 170), <strong>Jack Boswell</strong> (OL, 5-11, 230), <strong>Bradley Chandler</strong> (DB, 5-10, 180), <strong>Jordan Clemons</strong> (RB, 5-8, 180), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128857' first='Dominic' last='Diaz']</strong> (LS, 6-0, 215), <strong>Nicholas Dou</strong> (DB, 5-9, 170), <strong>Jackson Grier</strong> (WR, 6-0, 175), <strong>Joshua Harriott</strong> (RB, 5-10, 180), <strong>Brian Jefferson</strong> (LB, 5-10, 185), <strong>Keyshawn Johnson</strong> (DE, 6-1, 230), <strong>Amari Lanier</strong> (DB, 6-0, 180). <strong>Ryan Liss</strong> (DL, 6-3, 205), <strong>Maurice Marcellus</strong> (Athlete, 6-0, 180) and linebacker <strong>Zach Marino</strong> (6-1, 210).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The depth in the class continues with <strong>Tabias Meline</strong> (DL, 6-2, 265), <strong>Shamar Morgan </strong>(DB, 5-8, 165), <strong>Miles Moss</strong> (WR, 6-0, 175), <strong>Ryan Paradela</strong> (TE, 6-3, 210), <strong>Devin Pein</strong> (DL, 6-0, 235), <strong>Aridius Pough</strong> (DB, 6-2, 185), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='128806' first='Kimari' last='Robinson']</strong> (DB, 5-11, 175), <strong>Broden Sobolewski</strong> (OL, 6-2, 265) and defensive end <strong>Jaylin Wallace</strong> (6-2, 230).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THIS RUN IS FAR FROM OVER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you are looking for this team to drop off or start to fade, you better think again. The future – much like past three decades – looks very promising with juniors <strong>Aiden Anestor</strong> (CB, 6-2, 165), <strong>Barry Birch</strong> (LB, 6-1, 210), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404270' first='Justin' last='Bodford']</strong> (DL, 6-1, 285), <strong>Declan Connor (</strong>DL, 5-9, 220), <strong>Semaj Jackson</strong> (DB, 5-10, 170), <strong>Michael Kern</strong> (P, 6-3, 170), <strong>Jayden Leevy</strong> (OLB, 5-9, 175), <strong>Nathan Ley</strong> (DL, 6-3, 225), <strong>Connor Lowe</strong> (DT, 5-10, 238), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404267' first='Jordan' last='Lyle']</strong> (RB, 6-2, 195), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404177' first='Ryan' last='Mack']</strong> (DB, 5-11, 175), <strong>James Madison III</strong> (WR, 6-3, 205), <strong>Jake Manasse </strong>(WR/RB, 5-10, 160) and defensive lineman David Pein (6-0, 278).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also, prospects such as <strong>Trenton Roach</strong> (DL, 6-0, 195), <strong>William Roberts</strong> (OL, 6-3, 275), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404227' first='Chance' last='Robinson']</strong> (WR, 6-2, 190), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='944753' first='Nicholas' last='Rodriguez'] </strong>(OLB, 6-1, 205), <strong>Brian Suarez</strong> (OL, 6-3, 300), <strong>Anthony Truiolo</strong> (QB, 5-9, 170) and <strong>Bryan Wallace</strong> (OG, 6-5, 310) have been instrumental this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2025 also has prospects that are among the best in south Florida. Players such as <strong>Jason Carlton</strong> (WR, 5-10, 155), <strong>Richard Compton </strong>(RB, 5-10, 155), <strong>D.J. Copeland</strong> (DE, 6-3, 220), <strong>Caleb Harris</strong> (OL, 6-4, 265), <strong>Logan Hubbard</strong> (DE, 6-4, 232), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1322329' first='Andrew' last='Indorf']</strong> (QB, 6-0, 180), <strong>Yahshua Lambert</strong> (DB, 5-11, 160), <strong>Andreus Madison</strong> (WR, 5-11, 190), <strong>Martin Rhyne</strong> (LB, 6-0, 210), <strong>Nicholas Romero</strong> (PK, 5-8, 145), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1317498' first='Trevor' last='Sommers']</strong> (DE, 6-2, 230) and receiver <strong>Shakur Williams</strong> (5-8, 145).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are also Class of 2026 freshmen to keep an eye on as well:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeremiyah Douglas, DB, 5-9, 170</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401425' first='Justice' last='Fitzpatrick'], DB, 5-11, 180</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='401452' first='Teddy' last='Welch'], OL, 5-11, 250</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS (13-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ST. JOSEPH'S PREP, W 48-37</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Myers, W 42-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>COCOA, W 42-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davie Western, W 38-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, W 21-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Lauderdale Dillard, W 24-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>FORT LAUDERDALE, W 49-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>COCONUT CREEK MONARCH, W 37-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, W 44-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>COCONUT CREEK, W 59-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DELRAY BEACH ATLANTIC, W 63-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>POMPANO BEACH BLANCHE ELY, W 35-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAMPA JESUIT, W 45-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook ([player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein']) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->