Published Friday October 3, 2008 in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Raiders don't miss a beat
By Christy Cabrera Chirinos, Staff Writer
Hollywood
St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday night proved it can handle adversity.
With starting quarterback Ryan Becker sidelined because of an ankle injury, the Raiders rallied around backup Jacob Rudock and dominated in a 35-7 win over District 16-5A rival Hollywood Hills.
St. Thomas (4-0, 1-0), ranked No. 1 in the National Prep Football Poll, scored on its first three possessions and never struggled.
Rudock, who played with an injured finger, threw his first career touchdown pass on the Raiders' opening drive when he completed a 4-yard pass to Duron Carter.
"We had some adversity," St. Thomas coach George Smith said. "Jake hurt his finger, but I really thought the guys rallied around him."
After that, Raiders running back Giovanni Bernard took over.
Bernard scored on touchdown runs of 15, 28, and 70 yards and finished with a game-high 207 yards on 10 carries.
The Raiders' defense did its part, holding Hollywood Hills (1-4, 1-1) to 34 passing yards and nine first downs.
But the Spartans avoided the shutout when in the final minute, Reginald McKnight scored on a 19-yard reverse.
Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
