Published on Saturday December 20, 2008 in The Miami Herald
Quarterback is the picture of quiet efficiency
BY ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ
St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback Ryan Becker tried to make his way toward NFL Hall of Famer
Michael Irvin during the team's raucous post game celebration at the Citrus Bowl.
But Becker was told by FHSAA officials to get back to his team's awards' ceremony.
It was about the only time Friday night that Becker had trouble connecting with an Aquinas wide receiver.
Becker was his usual model of efficiency again, throwing for three touchdown passes and 100 yards on only 8-of-11 attempts.
And as usual it was enough to orchestrate another Aquinas' blowout victory.
But this one was sweeter, 56-7 against its longtime nemesis, Lakeland.
''When you have all these weapons, you can pretty much sit back there and have fun,'' Becker said. ''But we never expected to beat Lakeland like this.''
Becker completed 65 percent of his passes for the season (124 of 191 attempts) and finished with for 2,027 yards and 30 touchdowns. He threw only five interceptions.
Becker averaged one touchdown pass every 6.4 pass attempts.
But Becker's most vital contribution to an Aquinas football team, which is expected to be voted Broward County's first mythical national champion, will never show up in a box score.
''[Becker]'s play over the last two years is part of the difference,'' Aquinas assistant coach and former NFL wide receiver Cris Carter said after the game. ''He's been a big difference in the big games. He spreads the ball around and keeps everybody happy.
''That's not easy to do. These kids could go somewhere else and have big statistics. He makes sure everyone gets the ball.''
Becker, an honors student with a 4.27 grade point average, is considering Princeton, Yale and Harvard as his college choices next fall. He completed his career with a 29-1 career record as a starter.
Before the game, Becker was honored with the Junior Orange Bowl Committee's Scholar-Athlete award.
''We've been scoring points all year and been able to move the ball,'' Aquinas coach George
Smith said. ''It goes back to Becker and the way he manages the game.''
On Becker's first pass, he connected with Gabrison Holmes for a 53-yard touchdown pass over the middle. Becker ran for a touchdown later in the first quarter from a yard out to give
Aquinas a 21-0 lead.
His next two touchdown passes went to the Raiders' top two receivers.
Dwayne Difton caught a 12-yarder in the corner of the end zone to increase Aquinas' lead to 35-0, and Duron Carter caught a 5-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.
''We definitely felt in control from the beginning, but we knew there could be a comeback because we did it to them a couple of years ago,'' Becker said.
''I can't think of a sweeter way to end my career.''
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