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Miramar, FL– The buses carrying the St. Thomas Aquinas football team traveled a similar route and a vocal, flamboyant opponent buoyed by the support of a frenzied home crowd awaited them. However, the caravan reached their destination just north of Countyline Road, ensuring that Friday’s outcome would be much different from last week’s disappointing loss to the Booker T. Washington Tornadoes.
As they arrived at Miramar High School, the bravado displayed by the host was of little concern. In a very workmanlike fashion, the Raiders proceeded to dismantle the talented, yet undisciplined Patriots 42-6 in an anticlimactic contest billed as the National Rivalry Game of the Week.
Both teams were unable to score on their opening drive, but the Patriots seemed determined to establish the downfield passing game. The first momentum shift occurred when Raiders’ defensive back Jaden Lewis intercepted Miramar quarterback Steve Williams (11-27 for 109 yds. 1TD).
The turnover led to a 25 yard touchdown pass from Jake Allen (13-17 for 143 yds. 3TDs) to Michael Harley (6-101 2TDs).
Undaunted, on the next drive Williams completed four straight passes, but was unable to convert on fourth down deep in Raider territory.
St. Thomas began to establish the run in the second quarter, and the 1-2 punch of Michael Epstein (19 car.- 96yds. 1TD) and Kyshaun Bryan (8 car. – 93yds. 1TD) punished the interior of the Miramar defense.
After a long drive, the Raiders uncharacteristically missed a short field goal, giving life to the home team. However, instead of playing the percentages and shortening the game, the Patriot coaching staff continued to throw incessantly.
Late in the 2nd quarter, down 7-0, Miramar tried to convert a 4th and 5 on their own 36 yard line. They were unsuccessful, and four plays later, Allen completed his second touchdown pass of the night to Joshua Palmer.
At the start of the third quarter, the uneasiness of the crowd and the body language of the team in red and blue foreshadowed what was to come. With the Raiders set to receive, the Patriots’ kickoff sailed out of bounds and the rout was on. The Raiders fed Epstein often, and after a 15 yard run, he absorbed a vicious hit that sent the ball flying into the air.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, the Raiders recovered the fumble, and two plays later, Harley caught a 13 yard strike from Allen for his second touchdown reception.
Miramar would score a meaningless touchdown on a 9 yard pass to Antoine Murray in the second half to prevent the shutout. But Epstein, Bryan, and Tavares Kelly would all score rushing touchdowns to conclude the scoring at 42-6.
Although the win does not erase the failure at Traz Powell Stadium last week, the Raiders and their fans are more than happy to be back in the win column
by Wayne Poller, Football Hotbed Contributor
