The 2024 flag football season was one to remember for St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and now it’s official: the Raiders have earned major accolades for their success on the field.
Senior quarterback Sherice Newton was named the Miami Herald’s Broward County Flag Football Player of the Year after leading the Raiders to a 16-2 record and a deep postseason run to the regional finals. At the same time, head coach Derek Duque was recognized as Broward County Co-Coach of the Year, sharing the honor with Western’s James O’Brien after both programs advanced further than any other teams in the county.
Newton delivered a dominant season. Her ability to command the offense with precision and power made her nearly unstoppable and instrumental in establishing Aquinas as a legitimate title contender.
Her leadership helped the Raiders to one of their best records in school history, finishing 16-2 before falling in a tightly contested regional final against Homestead.
In recent years, Coach Derek Duque has steadily built Aquinas into a state contender. While a trip to the Final Four remains just out of reach, Duque’s guidance has the program firmly on the rise. Under his leadership, STA has reached the regional finals for three straight seasons, a testament to his coaching vision, player development, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Even with Newton graduating, the future remains bright. Standout returners such as sophomore Aimee Colson and junior Emmi Merhi will lead the Raiders into next season with hopes of making that long-awaited Final Four breakthrough.
