St. Thomas Aquinas routs Homestead and is two wins away from a third straight state title
St. Thomas Aquinas is heading back to the state semifinals and making a run toward a third consecutive state title.
Anthony Hankerson rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns and Zion Turner accounted for three scores as the Raiders cruised past Homestead, 56-7, in the Region 4-Class 7A championship Friday in Fort Lauderdale.
Turner finished 7 of 7 for 142 yards and two touchdowns, and he also ran for another score. Senior wide receiver Jaylan Sanchez had three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Gemari Sands had 97 total yards from scrimmage and a touchdown catch.
St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1) led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter at Brian Piccolo Stadium and pulled away in the second as they had a 28-7 advantage at halftime. The Raiders scored touchdowns on their first four possessions on offense.
“We were just on a mission today,” St. Thomas Aquinas coach Roger Harriott said. “We start fast and want to finish strong. We are extremely proud and honored to represent St. Thomas Aquinas. It’s a special group of young men.”
The Raiders, who are ranked No. 13 in the nation by MaxPreps, extended their win streak to 48 consecutive home playoff victories. They’ll host Gainesville Buchholz in the 7A semifinals next Friday
“It’s impressive and the tradition has been established here,” Harriott said. “Coach [George] Smith has done a great job of instilling tradition and excellence in us. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for what we are doing.”
Hankerson rushed for 86 yards in the first half and finished with 103 total yards from scrimmage.
“It’s amazing and I am thankful for the opportunity,” the star running back said. “I am grateful for my head coach.”
The Raiders jumped out to an early lead on the second play of the game. The Raiders defense forced a fumble in the backfield at Homestead’s 13-yard line and the ball rolled into the end zone. The result of the play was a safety.
St. Thomas Aquinas had a seven-play, 40-yard scoring drive on its opening possession. Turner fired a 25-yard completion to Sanchez, then had a quarterback sneak into the end zone for a 1-yard score to make it 8-0 with 7:43 left in the first.
The Raiders quickly moved downfield for a six-play, 76-yard scoring drive on their next series. On fourth-and-1, Hankerson rushed for an 11-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with 11:11 left in the second.
Sanchez had a punt return into Broncos territory and a personal foul penalty on the play provided a short field. On the next play, Turner connected with Sands for a 24-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone to increase the lead to 21-0 with 6:52 left in the first half.
Homestead (10-2) answered back just 16 seconds later as sophomore Isaac Brown had a kickoff return for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-7.
The Raiders responded with a seven-play, 58-yard scoring drive on the ensuing possession. Hankerson had a 12-yard catch on third down to the Broncos 9-yard line. On second-and-goal, Hankerson powered his way for a 3-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 28-7 with 3:20 left in the first half.
The Raiders started at their own 47-yard line to open the second half after the Broncos attempted an onside kick. The Raiders offense took advantage as Turner tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Sanchez.
St. Thomas Aquinas’ defense recorded a sack in the end zone for a safety to make it 37-7 with 8:44 left in the third.
The Raiders added to their lead on the ensuing possession. Sands had a 26-yard leaping catch and Hankerson capped off the drive with a 1-yard score.
Junior running back Xavier Terrell rushed for a 22-yard score on the final play of the third.
Junior quarterback Jake Lewin fired a 47-yard scoring pass to sophomore wide receiver James Madison in the fourth.
