Published Saturday September 27, 2008 in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Raiders romp despite 21-day layoff
By Mason Kelley, Special correspondent
PLANTATION
It is never easy to predict how a team will play after 21 days off. On Friday night George Smith said his St. Thomas Aquinas team looked "rusty" after its extended break.
However, despite the rough edges, the Raiders — ranked in the top five nationally in several polls — pulled away early to claim a 38-10 victory over South Plantation.
"We didn't execute all the times we should have," Smith said. "We had a tough time getting lined up a couple of times and that obviously comes from not playing in quite a while."
St. Thomas (3-0) looked good on its first possession of the game. James White capped a nine-play drive with a 5-yard run. The Raiders scored on four of their first six possessions in the first half.
For the Paladins (2-0) in the first half, Marcus Thompson ran for 78 yards. Raiders defensive back Ronnie Kennedy prevented the touchdown, and the Paladins settled for a 27-yard field goal by Pablo Quiroga — their only points of the half.
Late in the third quarter, Derwin Brown scored South Plantation's only touchdown on a 78-yard run followed by a 72-yard kickoff return by Kennedy to give the Raiders a 31-10 lead.
St. Thomas quarterback Ryan Becker injured his ankle late in the first half and didn't return. "Right now it doesn't look to be serious." Smith said.
Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
