Sunshine State 25: Preseason No. 2 – St. Thomas Aquinas

Team: St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
Sunshine State 25 Preseason Ranking: No. 2
Head Coach: Roger Harriott
2014 Record: 14-1

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Look Back On 2014

The Raiders marched on through the playoffs last season capturing another Class 7A state championship as they defeated Kissimmee Osceola 31-0 in the state finals.

Players To Watch

DL Nick Bosa, Sr.; WR Sam Bruce, Sr.; QB Jake Allen, Jr.; WR Trevon Grimes, Jr.; DL Kedonis Haslem, Jr.; WR Michael Irvin Jr., Sr.; LB Tyler Dunning, Jr.; RB Devontae Henry-Cole, Sr.; K James McCourt, Sr.; RB James Charles, Sr.; DB Frank Coppet, Sr.; W Dominic Thieman, Sr.; DE Arjay Jean, Sr.; LB Michael Iamunno, Sr.; DB Mark Williams, Sr.; OL Louie Berkowitz, S.; DT Colin Nace, Sr.; DB Justin Wright, Sr.; OL David Swaby, Sr.; ATH James Jenkins, Sr.; DT Joshua Paul, Sr.; RB Mike Epstein, Jr.; OL Cody Bowes, Jr.; WR Mike Harley, Jr.

The Outlook

Usually when teams have a changing of the guard, usually the transition process could take a year for it to finally complete itself.

St. Thomas Aquinas will be a rare exception of having to see the transition take that long.

Roger Harriott, the former University School head coach and St. Thomas Aquinas alum, was tabbed back earlier in the off-season to take over the Raiders program that was just fresh off of winning the Class 7A state championship. Harriott is no strange to winning state championships, having help win the St. Thomas Aquinas’ first state championship in 1992 as well as winning a state championship with University School in 2012.

Now he will attempt to become the first St. Thomas Aquinas alum to win not only win a state championship as a player, but a state championship as its football head coach.

The depth chart for the Raiders is something a lot of teams could have, having quality players lined up in the first and second string positions. Some of the key athletes include All-Americans like defensive linemen Nick Bosa and wide receive Sam Bruce. Key additions this summer include WR Michael Irvin Jr., the son of Michael Irving, another St. Thomas Aquians alum and quarterback Jake Allen who comes in from Cardinal Gibbons.

With a lot of names on the roster that is talented, St. Thomas Aquinas should find no reason to really lose a game this season. They are by far the best team in Class 7A and is by far the favorite among a lot of people to be able to repeat again this year.

The District

St. Thomas Aquinas was moved from District 7A-15 to District 7A-14 during reclassification and will compete with Blanche Ely and Fort Lauderdale for the district. The district should be easily winnable for the Raiders at this point.

Three Games To Watch

Friday 8/28 vs. Booker T. Washington – This is one of the biggest games of the year with defending state champions going to battle here. What is also nice is that this game will be on ESPN, so there is no reason if you are not a game, to not catch this game on the television. It will be interesting to see how both teams come out of the gate to start the season on this one.

Friday 9/25 at Hallandale – Hallandale has a lot of talent, so this could be a grueling match. Hallandale knows it can compete with the best of the best, so this game will be worth making the short drive over to Hallandale Beach and paying the price of admission for this game.

Friday 11/6 vs. Flanagan – Flanagan is considered one of the best teams in Class 8A and both teams could be undefeated at this point when they meet. This will decided who is likely the best team in Broward County this season, even if all the starters don’t play as both teams will likely be playoff bound at this point.

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Previous Sunshine State 25 Countdown Stories
No. 3: Flanagan
No. 4: Mainland
No. 5: Jacksonville Trinity Christian
No. 6: Cocoa
No. 7: Booker T. Washington
No. 8: Plantation American Heritage
No. 9: Apopka
N0. 10: Kissimmee Osceola
No. 11: Columbus
No. 12: Oakleaf
No. 13: Dr. Phillips
No. 14: Manatee
No. 15: Armwood
No. 16: Lakeland
No. 17: Niceville
No. 18: Delray American Heritage
No. 19: Dwyer
No. 20: Wakulla
No. 21: Naples
No. 22: Lake Gibson
No. 23: North Marion
No. 24: Palm Bay Heritage
No. 25: Bishop Moore