St, Thomas Aquinas Slips By Manatee

     The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders overcame the Manatee Hurricanes 16-13 in a FHSAA Class 5A state semifinal at Bradenton on Friday night. The Raiders have won a state-record 29 consecutive postseason games. STA will look to extend their championship reign to a state-record six straight football titles and a 16th overall FHSAA state championship next Friday night in Miami. 

     It was the seventh time both high schools had met each other in the FHSAA Playoffs. STA has been victorious in six of those games. 

     Both teams scored six points during the first quarter. Manatee(10-2) pulled ahead with a touchdown in the second quarter for a 13-6 advantage. 

     St. Thomas Aquinas(11-3) picked up a field goal during the third quarter and were down 13-9. The Raiders jumped over the Hurricanes two minutes into the fourth quarter with a touchdown and led 16-13. Quarterback Andrew Indorf threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Branden Hoch.