St. Thomas captures state championship

After three consecutive years of heartache and disappointment, the St. Thomas Aquinas sideline finally exalted Friday night.

Years of pent up frustration were released when the Raiders defeated Kissimmee Osceola 35-20 to capture the Class 5A state championship -- the school's first football title since 1999 and fourth overall in 11 finals appearances -- in front of 9,250 fans at the Citrus Bowl.

''It's just the greatest feeling in the world,'' St. Thomas senior receiver and special teams ace Philip Pierre-Louis said. ``We've been working hard for four years, most of us. We finally got it done.''

The celebration ensued after junior quarterback Ryan Becker took a final knee and the clock wound down.

Aquinas' coaching staff, which includes several alumni of the school, hoisted veteran coach George Smith and carried him to midfield.

Players shouted ''finally'' and squirted their water bottles into the air.

''It's ridiculous,'' St. Thomas senior defensive lineman Dan Dougherty said. ``I can't believe it's our class. It's awesome.''

The Raiders (14-1) built upon their 21-13 halftime lead with a touchdown drive on their opening possession of the second half when Becker -- named the game's most valuable player -- hit running back Ronnie Kennedy in the left flat. Kennedy skirted around the corner and outran Osceola's defense to the corner of the end zone.

The Kowboys (14-1) cut the deficit to eight with 7:26 left on a 12-play, 61-yard drive that included two successful fourth-down conversions. St. Thomas immediately quelled Osceola's momentum.

The Raiders needed just three plays before Becker found Duron Carter on a crossing route. Becker, who faked a handoff and rolled to his right, was hit as he released and threw off his back foot. Carter slowed down, cradled the pass, broke a tackle by Gerard Thomas and scored to complete the 51-yard play and put Aquinas back up by 15.

''Going across the middle, Becker hit me, and I made a play,'' Carter said, ``That's what I tried to do. I made it for my team.''

Osceola tried to mount one final challenge, but John Carr intercepted Bryant Butler's deep pass at the 31, and the Kowboys did not run another play.

''I've been waiting on one all night,'' Carr said. ``I finally got it. It felt real good. As soon as I caught it, it was game over.''

St. Thomas ran six plays to run down the final 4:11, including a pivotal fourth down conversion. Faced with a fourth-and-2 from the Osceola 42, Becker drew the Kowboys offside. Two plays later, Becker took a knee as the clock dwindled to zero and began the celebration.

''Obviously, I know that those guys over there in the white shirts are real excited,'' Smith said of his team. ``Look at the fans that came up here.''

St. Thomas took a 7-0 lead on its first drive when Jeremiah Harden burst up the middle and ran alongside Pierre-Louis for an 84-yard score with 7:11 remaining in the first quarter.

Osceola tied the score four minutes later on a 10-yard run by Kwamaine Brown.

The Cowboys, concerned about Aquinas' return game, kicked short, and linebacker Conor O'Neill returned it 73 yards for a 14-7 St. Thomas lead.

Carter caught a 12-yard pass from Becker for a 21-7 lead with 4:11 remaining in the first half, but Thomas broke several tackles and returned a punt 85 yards with 31 seconds remaining in the half to cut the deficit to 21-13.

Each year during the current streak, the Raiders lost several high-profile players to graduation from the program. And, with each new season, the Raiders faced scrutiny and questions.

''Everybody was doubting us from the beginning because we didn't have star players,'' Carr said. ``They didn't know. We worked together as a team and everything came together.''