In pursuit of its 17th state championship and seventh consecutive state championship, nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked No. 12 in the nation, traveled to Miami to compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 5A championship game.
The Raiders led 38-0 at halftime and swept Riverdale 45-13 at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium on Friday night. St. Thomas Aquinas will face either Ponte Vedra or Lakeland, teams the Raiders faced last year.
advertise
However, Georgia’s semifinal win may have come at a high price, as Georgia Judge Fitzpatrick was on crutches after injuring his leg in the second quarter, Jon Santucci of USA Today reported. Fitzpatrick has taken on an increasingly important role for St. Thomas Aquinas this season, both offensively and defensively.
The Raiders got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but eventually took the lead on a 31-yard touchdown run by running back Jaden Desir. Just before the end of the opening quarter, quarterback Mason Mallory threw a 16-yard touchdown pass, giving St. Thomas Aquinas a 17-0 lead entering the second quarter.
Mallory ended up scoring two more touchdowns in the second quarter, one passing and one rushing, and the Raiders entered halftime with an insurmountable lead.
advertise
How to follow Florida high school football
For Florida high school football fans who want to stay up to date on scores from across the country, staying up to date is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides live updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you don’t miss out on Friday night’s madness. From gripping games to outstanding performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all of Florida’s high school football highlights.