Raiders put on defensive show

On maybe the biggest stage of their careers, membersof the St. Thomas Aquinas defense made a big impression.

The Raiders defense forced four turnovers, three of which were returned for touchdowns, ina 33-23 win over American-Heritage thatwas televised on

ESPN2 on Friday night.

“The defense was unbelievable,” St. Thomas coach Roger Harriott said. “They do a great job of flying around to the ball.”

The Raiders got on the board first, but not in the way they intended.

St. Thomas drove to the Heritage 1-yard line but couldn’t punch in a score on fourth down. The Patriots took over at their own 1- yard line, and on the first play of their drive they botched the snap. Senior linebacker Christian Gonzalez fell on the loose ball in the end zone, giving the Raiders their first score of the night.

St. Thomas built up a 20-0 lead by early in the second quarter. Quarterback Zion Turner scored a 3- yard rushing touchdown, and defensive lineman Kylan Stephens picked off a pass at the line and returned it for a touchdown.

But the Patriots stayed in the game. Vinson Davis, a wide-receiver-turned-quarterback, broke off a

58-yard touchdown to put Heritage on the board. He racked up 131 rushing yards in the game.

Sophomore running back Mark Fletcher cut the Patriots’ deficit to six points with a 12-yard touchdown run late in the first half, and kicker Chris Maron hit a short field goal tomake it 20-17.

The Raiders battled back, though, and put more distance between themselves and the Patriots. Junior running back Anthony Hankers on extended St. Thomas’ lead with a 21-yard touchdown run. Hankers on finished the win with 168 rushing yards on 29 carries.

“When you don’t have the time to prepare, one thing that takes a lot of chemistry and timing is the passing game,” Harriott said. “When you have a strong offensive line and some good running backs, you can pound the ball.”

St. Thomas built on its lead after stripping the ball from Fletcher near the Patriots 25-yard line late in the fourth quarter, and junior linebacker Derrien Craig returned it for a score. Heritage’s Davis scored a 3-yard touchdown following a blocked punt, but itwas not enough to cut the deficit under 10 points.

“We have quality talent in Broward County,” Harriott said. “It can go either way. American-Heritage did a great job. They don’t have any quit.”

JOHNMCCALL/SOUTHFLORIDASUNSENTINEL St. ThomasAquinas defensive endDallasTurner reacts after stopping AmericanHeritage on third down during the first half Friday. TheRaiders beat AmericanHeritage 33-23.