Raiders drub national power in opener

FORT LAUDERDALE — St. Thomas Aquinas kicked off another season with a nationally televised victory over a national power.

This time, unlike the one over California’s St. John Bosco, there would be no down-to-the-wire action nor overtime needed. It was just downright Aquinas dominance.

St. Thomas ran the clock on Maryland’s DeMatha Catholic, ranked top 50 in the nation by MAXPREPS, 38-0 on Saturday night to start up a season in which the Raiders, ranked eighth nationally, seek to reclaim Florida’s Class 7A crown after having a run of three consecutive state titles snapped last postseason.

Senior quarterback Curt Casteel threw three touchdown passes and the defense pitched a shutout. The Raiders scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to storm out to a 24-0 lead at halftime.

Linebacker and South Carolina commit Jahmar Brown got the scoring started when he ripped the ball out of a DeMatha ball carrier’s hands in the middle of a crowded line of scrimmage to return the fumble recovery about 20 yards for a touchdown.

Aquinas forced another turnover on the Stags’ ensuing offensive possession with two Miami commits teaming up for it — Avery Huff came around the edge and stripped quarterback Eric Najarian from behind as he stepped up in the pocket to allow Anthony Solomon to recover the fumble.

After Marcus Rosemy made an impressive leaping catch deep over the middle over a defender on a ball delivered by Casteel, senior running back Daniel Carter barreled through the DeMatha defense for a 4-yard touchdown up the middle.

The Raiders got another quick stop, and Jama l Cooney set them up in striking range after a long punt return. A few plays later, Cooney, wide open in the corner of the end zone, was rewarded by Casteel with a touchdown pass.

Sophomore defensive end Tyreak Sapp also recovered a fumble in the first quarter. The St. Thomas defense swarmed and did more than just force turnovers. Several Raiders made a number of physical defensive stops, including Jordan Battle, Braylen Ingraham and Marcus Dumervil.

The Casteel-to-Cooney connection worked again in the third quarter on a similar corner route to the back of the end zone. The running clock-clinching scoring strike came on the first play of the fourth quarter as Casteel bought time scrambling and found junior slot receiver Xavier Restrepo in the end zone.

Aquinas will visit Piper on Friday for a Week 2 matchup of Michael Irvin’s former high schools.

JENNIFER LETT/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Quarterback Curt Casteel looks for an open receiver during the Raiders’ Saturday night win over DeMatha. Casteel tossed three touchdown passes in the win.