Once again, the STA football team faced adversity. On the road for the second consecutive week, the Raiders faced a halftime deficit for the second consecutive week.
After an up and down first 24 minutes, they trailed 13-6. Despite the deficit, and the challenge that awaited against a previously 10-1 Manatee team, their confidence never wavered. It showed in the second half.
STA rallied to score ten unanswered points, pitching a shutout in the second half, to defeat Manatee 16-13 in the State Semifinal and advance to the FHSAA 5A State Championship game vs Lakeland at Pitbull Stadium on Thu, Dec 12 at 7:30 p.m.
The prolific STA offense was held to just two field goals in the first half. Early in the fourth quarter, with the score 13-9, they were still looking to hit the end zone. They got a big boost when sophomore cornerback Zayden Gamble made his second interception in as many weeks deep in Manatee territory.
On the ensuing drive, senior quarterback Andrew Indorf hooked up with senior tight end Cameron Roberts on a 27-yard touchdown strike up the middle of the field. The Raiders would not relinquish the lead.
After allowing 42 points in last week’s win vs Atlantic, the defense bounced back. After Manatee got deep into STA territory in the fourth quarter, the defense forced a turnover on downs and salted away the emotional victory.
STA looks for a Florida record sixth straight state championship, and sixteenth overall, on Thursday. Their opponent, Lakeland, is 13-0 and entered the playoffs as a top-15 team in the country, per MaxPreps.
Tickets can be found at https://gofan.co/event/2472605?schoolId=FHSAA. The game will be streamed at the NFHS Network, at https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/fhsaa/gamc1079412a6.
