Injured Raiders Capitalize on Flanagan Mistakes to Defeat The Falcons
Nov 7, 2015
By: Robert Sumpter
In what was built as the game of the year in Broward County between two of the top teams in the nation, St Thomas Aquinas capitalize on mistakes and poor special teams to defeat Flanagan 19-14 on senior night.
Both
teams came into the season ranked in the top 10 nationally by national
polls but suffered upset losses earlier
in the season by a combine four points looked to make a statement going into
the playoffs with a victory.
After
a scoreless first quarter, the Raiders got on the board off of a 36 yard field
goal by senior kicker James McCourt to
take a 3-0 lead into halftime.
The
Falcons quickly erased the halftime deficit on the opening kickoff of the third
quarter as Jahcour Pearson ran the kickoff back 89 yard back for a touchdown to
give the Falcons a 7-3 lead.
The
Raiders was able to take control of the game when midway through the third
quarter, Flanagan attempted a fake punt on 4th down and 21 on there on 10 yard
line. The Raiders stopped Devin Bush Jr
at the eight yard line for a two yard
loss and turnover on downs.
The
Flanagan defense held Aquinas to three plays and a McCourt field goal cutting
the deficit to 7-6.
Aquinas
was able to capitalize off of a muffed punt that gave the Raiders the ball at
the Falcons 25 yard line and take the lead 12-7 behind a two yard touchdown run
by Jaxson Kincaide.
Aquinas
extended the lead to 19-7 behind a Sam Bruce 8 yard run. The Raiders started at the Falcons 27 yard
line after a 3 yard punt.
Flanagan
scored on a two yard touchdown run by Kato Nelson with 17 seconds remaining to
bring the score to 19-14, but Aquinas recovered the ensuing onside kick and
ended the game.
"I
am not sure what team played today but that wasn't us. We were not ready to play and they took
advantage of it. Hats off to them for
being prepared." Coach Bush said.
With
both team preparing for a deep for a run at a state title, both teams still
have plenty of questions to answer.
Aquinas
may be the most injured team in the state playing with their backup quarterback
and essentially there third team running back.
Can they win with a depleted and injured team?
One
thing we did find out is that they are very resilient and still very talented
and still may be the most talented team in the state and always seems to find a
way to rise to the occasion.
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