Like many games in South Florida, the St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2, 4-0) and Plantation (6-2, 3-1) was moved to Saturday afternoon due to Hurricane Sandy. With 24 mile per hour winds causing havoc, the two teams managed to put on a thriller at Brian Piccolo Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Instant analysis: St. Thomas Aquinas’ workhorse running back, Fred Coppet, came to play. Coppet, who finished the game with 209 rushing yards on 24 carries, scored every touchdown for the Raiders on runs of 23 yards, 8 yards, as well as a 9 yard reception for a touchdown. “I was proud with my performance.” said Coppet. “But there is always things you can get better at.”
Both teams are very similar. They both love to run the ball and rely on their defense to make stops. The Colonels and Raiders held to true their identities for most the game, but were trading possessions during the entire game due to lackluster conditions and inefficiency.
The Plantation Colonels had many opportunities to secure a District 15-7A championship. They held the lead most of the game, but costly turnovers such as a fumble with 7:06 left in the game that led to a St. Thomas Aquinas 8-play 76-yard drive and a Fred Coppet rushing touchdown with 3:55 left in the game threw the Colonels off their game.
The Colonels used play action to try and fool the Raider defense on their final drive, but St. Thomas Aquinas DE Joey Bosa, an Ohio State commit, was not going to allow none of it as he registered 2 tackles for loss on the final drive as he closed out the game for good, giving the Raiders the game 24-20.
Key stat: 25. The St. Thomas Aquinas defensive line was disruptive as always. They held Plantation quarterback Chris Lammons, who is a 1,000 yard passer this season, to 25 passing yards the entire game.
Let it be heard: “We’ve been in these tough games before.” said St. Thomas Aquinas Head Coach Rocco Casullo. “This is big after the heartbreaker with Miramar…It was time for something good to happen to us.”
Names to know: Here are some up and coming players sure to could make some impact in the future: 2016 St.Thomas Aquinas DT Nick Bosa. 2014 Plantation TE Ravian Pierce. 2015 Plantation RB/KR Antuwan Hayes.
Next week Plantation hits the road to play the Nova Titans (4-4). St. Thomas Aquinas will also be on the road as they take on Cooper City (3-4).
