The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders got payback as they topped the defending FHSAA Class 7A state champion Venice Indians 38-18 at Brian Piccolo Stadium in a state semifinal on Friday night. Venice ended the reign of the three-time defending state champions St. Thomas Aquinas last year in the same round. The Raiders defeated the Indians on the same field in Fort Lauderdale back in 2016.
St. Thomas Aquinas(13-1), who have not lost a home playoff game since 2003, took the lead when they scored on the first play of their second possession in the contest. Daniel Carter sprinted down the right sideline and reached the end zone from 74 yards away at 8:57 of the first quarter.
STA extended their lead to 14-0 with 6:06 left in the first. Quarterback Curt Casteel connected an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Xavier Restrepo on a crossing slant pattern from the left side.
Indians defensive lineman John Marble was able to recover a fumble at the Raiders 49-yard line for Venice(12-2). It led to a 33-yard field goal by Zack Sessa at the 8:40 mark of the second quarter.
The Raiders would gain an 18-point margin with 1:15 left in the first half. Carter rushed off-left guard and scored from two yards out for a 21-3 lead.
Venice scored first in the second half. They picked up another field goal by Sessa from 31 yards away with four minutes to go in the third quarter.
St. Thomas Aquinas got on the scoreboard with nine seconds to go in the third and made it 28-6. Running back Jaedon Henry dashed around the left end and scored on a four-yard run.
The Indians fumbled the ball away at their own 27-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Raiders kicker Logan Lupo booted a 35-yard field goal at the 10:40 mark. STA added another touchdown when Carter caught a 32-yard pass from Casteel with 5:46 left for a 38-6 gap.
Venice compiled two touchdowns in the final minutes of the contest. Quarterback Nico Dallacosta got to the end zone on a nine-yard touchdown run with 4:04 remaining.
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