Published Thursday September 1, 2005 in The Herald
Games of the Week
JOSEPH GOODMAN
jgoodman@herald.com
CARDINAL GIBBONS (0-0) AT NO. 1 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (0-0)
St. Thomas Aquinas canceled its original season opener rather than contend with Hurricane Katrina's logistical problems. That St. Thomas did not play Monday means one thing: Mother Nature saved the best for last.
St. Thomas, the top-ranked team in The Herald's South Florida Top 20 poll, begins the season Friday with a home game against Cardinal Gibbons.
''We've played each other for over 40 years but certainly there's not a real rivalry,'' Cardinal Gibbons coach Michael Morrill said.
The two oldest Catholic high schools in the county feature strong running games.
Gibbons senior tailback John Ware is one of the best players around. N.C. State, Ole Miss, Rutgers, Connecticut, Western Michigan and Bowling Green have already offered Ware scholarships.
St. Thomas coach George Smith's team isn't half bad, either. The Raiders always productive rushing attack will be especially effective this season. Their offensive line is special. Center Danny Wenger and tackles Sam Young and Marcus Gilbert are Division I prospects.
Cardinal Gibbons last beat St. Thomas 11 years ago.
Prediction: St. Thomas 35, Cardinal Gibbons 16
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