Saint Thomas Aquinas' 56-0 win over Nova Friday night at Nova gave the Raiders their fifty-first straight District 16-5A win.

The victory also was the twenty-ninth in a row for the Raiders, raising their record to 4-0, 1-0. Nova fell to 1-4, 0-1.

Despite winning a nationally-televised game last week against Byrnes South Carolina, Aquinas showed no signs of a let down Friday night as they dominated right from the start to build a 42-0 halftime lead.

Early in the game things started to go downhill for the Titans when Aquinas scored on its first possession. Starting at midfield following a punt, Raiders quarterback Jacob Rudock threw his first of three touchdowns when he connected with James White for a 50-yard score with 9:35 in the first. Rudock finished 10-of-13 with 172 yards passing and no interceptions. White caught three passes for 59 yards and rushed six times for 50 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders extended their lead to 14-0 in the first quarter after putting together a nine-play, 39-yard scoring drive that was capped by Rudock's 5-yard touchdown toss to Rashad Green with 3:29 in the first.

• Miramar 27, South Plantation 7: It was hard for Miramar to avoid looking ahead.

But even though his team was hosting an inferior South Plantation squad missing its two primary tailbacks, Patriots coach Damon Cogdell insisted his team was ready to win.

``We're only focusing on the next game,'' Cogdell said.

Now, there's no denying it.

After a rather easy 27-7 win over South Plantation, that next game for Miramar -- one year removed from a Class 6A state semifinal appearance -- is the test of all tests: a showdown against No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas.

``It's a big game -- just to see where we're at,'' Cogdell said.

The odds of Miramar (5-0, 2-0 District 10-6A) actually beating Aquinas aren't very favorable, but how they perform against the Raiders will go a long way in showing whether this team has what it takes to once again advance deep in the postseason.

``Our defense is much better than St. Thomas -- faster -- and I feel like we're a little more dedicated, and determined and hungry,'' said wide receiver Ivan McCartney, who finished with seven catches for 65 yards.

But can they win?

``Yes, no doubt,'' McCartney asserted.

Penalties and missed opportunities cost Miramar early against South Plantation (3-3, 1-1). But in the second half, the Patriots were efficient and got two touchdowns from running back Jeremiah Hicks -- one for 47 yards, and the other for 20 -- to pull away.

In the end, despite the fact they gave up over 100 yards on penalties for the third time this year, the Patriots were too much.

-- ALDEN GONZALEZ

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