Nova remains undefeated

COOPER CITY — Nova rallied from a six-point halftime deficit, scoring four touchdowns in the second half to remain undefeated with a 36-14 win over host Cooper City on Friday that put the Titans alone in first place in District 15-7A.

The rally began on the Titans’ opening drive of the second half, which was capped a 48-yard touchdown run by Devontae Harris that tied the game at 14. Nova (6-0, 3-0) then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and seven plays later, Shaun Peterson scored from 3 yards out to give the Titans the lead for good.

Peterson followed that touchdown with his second of the game in the fourth quarter from 12 yards out. Peterson rushed for 120 yards, and Harris finished with 92 yards.

The rally neutralized an outstanding performance by Cowboys’ quarterback Michael DiLiello, who led all rushers with 142 yards and was 12 of 20 passing for 172 yards.

The Titans had the game’s first good scoring opportunity but fumbled the ball to the Cowboys (2-4, 2-1) on the 4 with 5:29 to play in the first quarter. The Cowboys took advantage, marchingdown the field on 14 plays for the score on DiLiello’s 4-yard keeper.

Cooper City’s next scoring drive was swift, a twoplay drive with the last a 61-yard TD pass from DiLiello to Kobie Simmons, which gave the Cowboys a 14-0 lead with 6:30 to play in the first half.

The Cowboys then attempted an onsides kick unsuccessfully, and the Titans took advantage of the short field to get on the scoreboard.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 49, FORT LAUDERDALE 7: Thomas Daniel Carter touched the ball seven times in first half and the junior running back scored on four of the touches en route to the topranked Raiders rout of the Flying L’s in a District 14-7A contest at Piccolo Stadium.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Carter scored on a 23-yard touchdown run on St. Thomas’ first play from scrimmage. He added TD runs of 37 and 9 yards and caught a 5-yard TD pass from junior Curt Casteel to put the Raiders up 35-0 with under a minute left in the second quarter.

With the victory, Aquinas improves to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the district. Fort Lauderdale falls to 1-4, 0-2.

With the exception of their loss to Centennial of Arizona, Friday was the first time this season the Raiders’ defense has allowed a touchdown. Fort Lauderdale scored on a 1-yard run in the final minute.

Under Armour AllAmerican Nik Bonitto put STA up 21-0 in the first quarter.