Aquinas holds off Homestead to secure record-setting fifth consecutive state championship
St. Thomas Aquinas coach Roger Harriott and his staff preached a message of resilience in the toughest of times.
It served the Raiders well and kept them consistent throughout their effort to win a state-record fifth consecutive state championship.
And they needed it more than ever on Saturday night to hold off a spirited comeback by Homestead that nearly cost Aquinas a chance at history.
The Raiders collectively made the key plays necessary down the stretch to hold off the Broncos for a 31-28 victory in the Class 3M state championship game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
“We realized that we had to stick together,” Harriott said. “It’s a brotherhood. Our theme for this year was to stay focused on the little things and to have a true brotherly love effort and that was tested tonight. Our strength in each other and faith in God and hats off to Homestead for coming out really strong.”
After a season-opening defeat against California powerhouse St. John Bosco, Aquinas (14-1) won 14 consecutive games. On Saturday, the Raiders’ players and coaches put all five fingers in the air to celebrate yet another milestone to add to their program’s rich championship history.
“We’re really fortunate to have a great foundation that was established by (former Aquinas) Coach (George) Smith and we continue to build and it’s a routine,” Harriott said. “Our faith in God and our resources from our community. It’s a whole family effort.”
The Raiders won their state-best 15th state championship in a season that began with many wondering if they could continue their title run following an ugly 20-7 loss at home to Bosco and a controversial comeback win over Class 2S state champion Cocoa two weeks later.
Aquinas would allow only 51 points over 10 games leading up to Saturday’s final as its defense became one of the most dominant in the country.
“The defense did their job when they needed to and they showed up. We’ve been talking about this since day one. I’m so proud of these guys,” Aquinas running back Jordan Lyle said. “It feels great to be a part of history and I can’t wait to see my guys that will come back make it six in a row.”
The Raiders shut out Homestead in the first half, coming up with a key stop when Broncos quarterback Joshua Townsend was denied the end zone on fourth and goal at the 1-yard line.
Lyle carried the load on offense in the first half scoring on a 22-yard screen pass from Andrew Indorf and later on a 1-yard plunge with 32 seconds left in the second quarter to put the Raiders ahead 17-0.
But Aquinas needed its defense to regroup and hold firm after Homestead’s offense ignited in the second half behind three touchdown passes and one rushing from Townsend.
With the Raiders’ 24-21 lead in jeopardy and Homestead facing a fourth-and-7 from Aquinas’ 10, their defense made its most crucial stop of the game.
Aquinas defensive lineman Trevor Sommers and sophomore Jakhi Barber sacked Townsend to end the series. The Raiders would extend their lead to 31-21 when Indorf threw his third touchdown pass of the game, this time to Andreus Madison for 69 yards with 5:25 left.
“The resilience of our defense held to the end,” Sommers said. “I was able to swim past (Homestead’s lineman) and get past him and get pressure for the sack. It was a great play and ended their run.
“The toughness of this program is built on what we do in practice every day. It’s not a coincidence that we’re coming out here and winning five state championships in a row.”
Townsend’s 17-yard touchdown run with 2:15 left in the fourth made it a three-point game again. But after recovering an onside kick, Lyle helped Aquinas run out the clock.
“Character. We talk about when we go through adversity, it’s time to get motivated,” Harriott said. “Our sideline demonstrated some real resiliency and character and that’s what life is all about. This will help these young men become champions beyond the football field.”
This story was originally published December 9, 2023 at 9:34 PM.
