Edgewater gives Aquinas a scare
good for us and it really hurts so hard,” Connelly said. “We came into the game and people doubted us, but we gave them a good game. Playing a nationally ranked team and we just gave it out all. I just love all these boys.
“We fought for each other … blood, sweat and tears, man. We been bonding with each other all summer, all season. These boys are my brothers and we were going to fight hard to the end.”
Leary’s early bursts of speed from the Wildcat formation put him in the end zone on touchdown carries of 54 and 75 yards as EdgeAt water stunned Aquinas take a 14-0 lead.
Leary, who’s slight of size but, like his teammates, showed plenty of heart, said he knew he had to help spark the offense.
“Zay stepped up a lot in the playoffs, so I think that’s what they were focused on. So I just showed what I can do at Wildcat,” Leary said. “It felt good. We fought to the last tick … last second. I don’t regret nothing we did. We’re a team, we’re a family and I’m proud of us.”
And in the end, Leary, just a junior, like Mobley, Brown, Davis, Troutman and numerous others, showed something in himself to as well.
“Speed … Chris Leary speed. Put my name on the map,” he said.
St. Thomas coach Roger Harriott wasn’t surprised by what Edgewater showed him.
“That was the toughest one, I think,” Harriott said of his four state championships, one of which he won while coaching at Davie University School. “I wasn’t surprised because they’re a formidable opponent and coach Duke did a great job of preparing them. I think their best days are ahead of them.
“They’re a great team and they had us for a little while. We had to dig deep and show some real resilience.”