The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders host the East Lake Eagles in a Class 7A state semifinal at Brian Piccolo Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Friday night. The school that has won the southern bracket in the second highest FHSAA classification went on to win the state championship every year since 2010.
St. Thomas Aquinas(12-1) looks to make the championship game for the eighth time in the last 11 seasons as they have won the state semifinal in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. Aquinas has outscored their last ten opponents 517-27. STA has been at home for every round of the FHSAA playoffs. They crushed Mater Academy 57-0 in the regional quarterfinal, beat district rival Plantation 38-6 in the regional semifinal and easily handled Royal Palm Beach 52-7 in the regional final.
The Raiders have an offensive attack that is very balanced. Running back Jordan Scarlett is the main rushing threat for the team as he will get most of the carries. Deltron Sands, Khambrel St. Hubert and Devonte Henry-Cole can also carry the ball from the backfield. Quarterback Jake Rizzo looks to connect with a number of options at wide receiver with Davante Peete, Jawuan Harris and Sam Bruce.
Undefeated East Lake(13-0) was in the same situation last year when they lost at home to eventual FHSAA Class 7A champion Dwyer and look to redeem themselves in 2014. They have scored at least 33 points in ten games and have outscored their opponents 470-138 this season. The Eagles dropped Palmetto 24-3 in the regional quarterfinal, went on the road to beat Braden River 37-21 in the regional semifinal and returned home to defeat Fort Myers 40-7 in the regional final.
The Eagles had no quarterback battle like they did in 2013 as Jake Hudson has led their offense with a great passing attack. Even though East Lake lost Clemson bound Artavis Scott to graduation, they remain strong at wide receiver with George Campbell who can get open at any time.
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