With tears of joy still sparkling in the Citrus Bowl lights, players from St. Thomas Aquinas allowed themselves to think forward a year Friday night.

Minutes after capturing their fourth football state title -- beating Kissimmee Osceola 35-20 -- they contemplated the potential start of a Raiders dynasty.

''Hopefully, my class can continue on the legacy,'' said junior quarterback Ryan Becker, whose team lost in the three previous state title games. ``These seniors carried us the entire way. They're the reason we won this game. As long as we keep our coaches, the staff stays and the players stay, I think we'll have a great chance.''

Becker will be the focal point for next year's team. Becker who won the starting job after a preseason battle, emerged as a force as the season progressed. In the championship game, he threw three touchdown passes.

''He had a great game,'' senior receiver Philip Pierre-Louis said. ``He did exactly what he had to do.''

Becker credited former starting quarterback Wes Carroll -- currently the starter at Mississippi State -- for his rapid development.

''Wes took me under his wing last year,'' Becker said. ``He taught me a lot of things. He taught me a lot of things about the big game as well. I've had many conversations with him about it. It felt amazing to take that next step.''

Although Becker's return will keep the offense stable, the Raiders' defense will return just two defensive starters from Friday's championship game -- linebacker Conor O'Neill and tackle William Nesselt.

Aquinas also will have to replace four graduating offense linemen, although sophomore center Brandon Linder, a starter this season, is expected to provide leadership for the young unit.

Despite the departures, the Raiders' talent at the skill positions on offense should be enough to carry them through the development of new players.

Becker will be joined by receivers Dwayne Difton and Duron Carter, backs Giovanni Bernard, James White and Ronnie Kennedy and tight end Gabrison Holmes.

''They have great leadership,'' Pierre-Louis said. ``They have great everything on that young class. They just need to practice and work hard like they've been doing, and they'll be good.''

Senior defensive back John Carr said: ``They'll be back. Trust me. They'll be back.''

Carter, son of former NFL receiver Cris Carter, enjoyed a coming-out party in recent weeks. He caught two touchdowns in the championship game.

''Duron Carter is going to be good later on in the future,'' senior running back Jeremiah Harden said.

Regardless of the Raiders' performance next season, Friday's game culminated a grand period in the school's history.

The team lost just six games in four seasons -- three to Deerfield Beach and three to Lakeland.

The losses to the Dreadnaughts all came in the state final.

''I'm speechless right now,'' Harden said.

``I don't know what to say. The weight is off my shoulders, all of our shoulders. We're just overwhelmed by winning this game.''

The returning players will soon set the championship aside and look toward repeating.

''It's relieving,'' Carter said of the win, ``but we're still trying to get another one. Next year, it's back to square one.''

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