FORT LAUDERDALE — St. Thomas Aquinas is heading to Tallahassee with an opportunity to capture a fifth consecutive state title. Senior running back Jordan Lyle rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as the host Raiders cruised to a 50-14 victory against Gaither in a Class 3M state semifinal on Friday night.
St. Thomas Aquinas (13-1) will play Homestead in a Class 3M state title contest at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., according to fhsaa.com.
Aquinas, ranked No. 10 in the nation by MaxPreps, entered the playoffs looking to extend a streak of four consecutive state championships. A win in Tallahassee would make the Raiders the first Florida school with five consecutive football titles.
Six others have won four in a row and, heading into this season, one of them, Miami Central, also had been aiming for a fifth. The Rockets, however, lost in the 2023 2M regional finals.
“It’s been a long journey,” St. Thomas Aquinas coach Roger Harriott said. “I am really proud of our guys for working hard, day in and day out, and focusing on the standard that is required to be a winner on and off the field.”
The Raiders have outscored opponents 181-20 in four playoff games.
“Our offense and defense did an incredible job,” Harriott said. “We are very proud of their effort. We are looking forward to competing in another state championship.”
St. Thomas Aquinas led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and pulled away for a 40-7 advantage at halftime.
Lyle, an Ohio State commit, played in just the first half. He scored on their opening possession on offense and added two scores in the second quarter.
“We ran the ball well and I give credit to my lineman and they did an outstanding job,” Lyle said. “We threw the ball well and we did not make too many mistakes on offense. I am extremely excited for our team. We have a lot of young guys who are getting to experience something great. We will need our young guys to continue to step up. We will be ready.”
Junior quarterback Andrew Indorf passed for 177 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
“It’s been a blessing throughout the year,” Indorf said. “I have played well and I just got to keep going and finish. I have been waiting for this moment to play in the state championship. I used to come here and watch the games and now I get to play for one. It will be fun. We want a five-peat and get Coach Harriott another one.”
Freshman quarterback Derrick Baker took over to start the second half for the Raiders and had a 12-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Julius Jones on the opening drive of the third quarter.
Senior running back Stacy Gage, a UCF commit, rushed for a touchdown in the second quarter. He also had a touchdown catch called back on a penalty.
Senior kicker Francesco Pileggi drilled three field goals, including a 47-yarder in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders defense forced a three-and-out to begin the game and the offense started at the Cowboys 39-yard line on their opening possession. On second-and-10, Lyle rushed for a 39-yard score to make it 7-0 with 10:11 left in the first quarter.
Indorf connected with junior Andreus Madison for a 56-yard touchdown to push the lead to 14-0 with 5:53 left in the first.
Gaither (8-6) returned the ensuing kickoff to the Raiders 27. After a punt, the Raiders offense took over at their own 1-yard line. Lyle displayed his ability with a 63-yard run on the next series. Pileggi connected on a 24-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter to extend the lead to 17-0.
The Cowboys failed to convert on fourth and- 2 at their own 39 with 9:47 left in the second.
Freshman wide receiver Ah’Mari Stevens made a 28-yard diving catch on the ensuing drive. Pileggi converted a 25-yard field goal to make it 20-0 with 6:38 left in the first half.
Ryan Mack stepped up with an interception and sprinted to the Cowboys 5. Lyle rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 27-0 with 6:12 left in the first half.
The Cowboys answered back as junior quarterback Jayce Nixon fired a 72-scoring pass to sophomore wide receiver Darryon Williams.
The Raiders offense responded as Indorf fired a 50-yard pass to Jones. Lyle rushed up the middle for a 5-yard score to make it 34-7.
Gage bounced out to the right for a 6-yard touchdown run with eight seconds left in the first half.
Sophomore running back Elija Mason rushed for an 8-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Cowboys.
St. Thomas Aquinas will be looking to win its 15th football state championship. Jacksonville Bolles, which lost in a 2M state semifinal Friday night, has the second most with 11.