Miramar At St. Thomas Aquinas Preview

     The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders host the Miramar Patriots on Friday night at Brain Piccolo Stadium in a Class 7A regional semifinal contest. Both schools have been strong Broward County high school football programs over the past two decades. 

     Miramar(7-3) lost their first two games of the regular season and bounced back winning seven of their next eight. The Patriots have collected four shutouts in their eight victories and outscored their opponents 271-116 this year. They got by Doral Academy 28-20 last week in a regional quarterfinal. 

     St. Thomas Aquinas(10-1) are the two-time defending Class 7A state champions. The Raiders have won nine consecutive games and outscored their opponents 455-131 this season. STA has not lost a home playoff game since 2003. They knocked off Atlantic 43-7 in a regional quarterfinal last week. 

     The Raiders offense is led by duel quarterback Zion Turner. Their rushing attack consists of running backs Anthony Hankerson, Xavier Terrell, Gemari Sands and Cecil Stone. Turner looks to find wide receivers Camden Brown, Isaiah Hardge, Jaylan Sanchez and tight end Mason Taylor on passes down the field.