St. Thomas Aquinas High School Football

Published Tuesday October 27, 2009 in The Miami Herald

BY ANDRE C. FERNANDEZ

1. AQUINAS (7-0) VS. DEERFIELD BEACH (5-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Lockhart.

A 65-10 loss on national television isn't something you forget easily.

The players who remain from Deerfield Beach's 2008 team like Cassius McDowell and Donte Dotson, remember vividly the rout they suffered last season against Aquinas.

Deerfield Beach has shown it is still one of the stronger teams in Broward led by the duo of McDowell and Dotson.

Dotson has run for 710 yards and eight touchdowns on 81 carries and passed for 623 yards and seven touchdowns with only one interception. He will be tested by one of the best secondaries in the country.

Deerfield Beach will likely win the District 9-6A championship.

But the fact remains, the Bucks lost plenty of seniors from that squad, including Denard Robinson, who is playing for the University of Michigan.

St. Thomas Aquinas hasn't allowed more than seven points to any Florida team this season and have won 31 consecutive games, the state's longest active winning streak.

The Raiders' well-oiled machine is averaging 44.4 points per game this season with over 2,300 yards of total offense.

Running back James White has come up with strong performances in recent weeks and has 515 yards so far this season. Junior quarterback Jacob Rudock has looked comfortable, passing for 1,022 yards and 17 touchdowns to only five interceptions.

Deerfield Beach is still the last team to beat St. Thomas. But right now, that seems such a long time ago. Expect another blowout in this once competitive series.

Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Deerfield Beach 7.

Posted on Tuesday October 27, 2009 on South Florida Sun-Sentinel

St. Thomas-Deerfield football chosen for Great American Rivalry Series

by Christy Cabrera Chirinos

Deerfield Beach and St. Thomas Aquinas have turned out their fair share of top-notch football talent. In the course of their rivalry, they've competed in some of Broward County's most exciting football games (Last year's 65-10 St. Thomas win not withstanding...)

Because of the two programs' history and success, Friday's game will be featured as part of The Great American Rivalry Series.

According to the GARS website, the Series is all about "shining the spotlight on classic gridiron clashes where expectations are sky high and die-hard fans abound."

Seven games across the country will be highlighted this week, with St. Thomas-Deerfield being the only Florida game featured.

As part of Friday's game, which is partly co-sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps, a $500 scholarship will be presented to a student-athlete from each team, an MVP will be announced and the winner will receive the championship trophy. Also planned is a GARS Hall of Fame induction ceremony where one former player from each school will be honored.

The game kicks off at 7 p.m. at Lockhart Stadium.