The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders football team had played in close games all season long. The FHSAA Class 5A State Championship game, however, was different. The Raiders left no doubt on Thursday night, defeating Lakeland 34-0 to win a Florida record sixth consecutive state title and sixteenth overall.
Entering the game, the Raiders were 11-3 while the Lakeland Dreadnaughts were undefeated at 13-0. It was a familiar matchup as the two teams had met in the state championship game five times before. This time, the Raiders dominated.
At South-Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Fla., the Raiders showcased their championship pedigree. The squad dominated through 48 minutes to shut out their rivals and hoist another trophy.
The STA defense bottled up the previously prolific ground game of Lakeland and capitalized on offense. Senior running back Chance Washington scored two touchdowns and contributed 71 rushing yards. Senior quarterback Andrew Indorf, who leaves STA as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards, led the controlled offensive attack and added a rushing touchdown himself.
The Raiders championship mettle was tested this year, with close losses to strong opponents in the regular season. Those moments, and their steadfast determination and preparation, prepared them for their playoff run.
Congratulations to the Raiders, who have secured the 132nd State Championship in STA history.
