St. Thomas Aquinas to open football season against Columbus

By Andre C. Fernandez The Miami Herald

St. Thomas Aquinas? annual tradition of playing marquee opponents will kick it up a notch this coming season.

The Raiders announced Thursday they will host defending national champion Don Bosco Prep (N.J.), and Miami Columbus in the first three weeks of the upcoming high school season.

Aquinas will play Don Bosco Prep on Friday, Sept. 14, at Brian Piccolo Stadium in a game that will likely be televised nationally.

St. Thomas and Don Bosco Prep have alternated winning national championships for the past four seasons. The Raiders won in 2008 and 2010, and Don Bosco Prep won in 2009 and 2011.

Don Bosco Prep was crowned mythical national champions last season by ESPNHS, USA Today and MaxPreps.

?It?s fantastic because people can see two of the elite programs in the country,? St. Thomas Aquinas athletic director George Smith said. ?For us, this is a great thing because like Columbus, Don Bosco will likely bring a lot of their fans and it should be a great environment for high school football.?

Aquinas (10-3 last season), which advanced to the Class 7A regional finals, will be tested immediately as it hosts a Columbus squad that made it to the Class 8A state semifinals last season.

The clash between the two South Florida private school powerhouses is expected to draw a large crowd and could likely be televised nationally as well.

?The [Columbus] game will be a huge local interest game and it will be great for both communities,? Smith said.

Andre C. Fernandez

BOYS? BASKETBALL

State champions Blanche Ely and Pine Crest earned several Florida Dairy Farmers? awards.

Ely made a clean sweep, with Melvin Randall (429-133 in 19 seasons) named the Class 7A coach of the year and 6-6 star forward Clide Geffrard its 7A Player of the Year.

Pine Crest?s David Beckerman (439-103 in 19 seasons) who led the district runner-up Panthers on an improbable run to its third state title and sixth consecutive final four appearance, was tabbed the Class 4A Coach of the Year.

FABIAN LYON

BASEBALL

HOLLYWOOD HILLS 8, DR. KROP 5

WP: Cory Hill (2-3). Save: D?Andre Diaz. LP: Ryan Heisler. Top performers: Tommy Grant 3-4, RBI. Cris Hernandez 1-3, 2 R. DK: Zack Scheck 3-4, RBI

PINES CHARTER 7, FORT LAUDERDALE 4

WP: Kan (4-1). LP: De La Cruz. Top performers: PPC: C Lopez Jr. 2-2 GW 3-R HR, 5 RBI. J. Marrero 2-3 2B, R. PPC 7-4.

SOFTBALL

MCARTHUR 8, SOUTH BROWARD 0

WP: Abby. LP: Eliza Furr (2-6). SB 5-8.

FLAG FOOTBALL

??North Broward Prep 7, Douglas 0: Michelle Roque-Paskow 1 TD; 95 yds passing, 63 yds rushing. 1 INT. Amanda Graboski 1 TD, 23 yds receiving, 22 yds rushing. Cady Burke 34 yds receiving, 6 yds rushing, 6 flag pulls. NBP 3-0.

BOYS? LACROSSE

??Archbishop McCarthy 9, West Broward 4: AM: K. Beck 3 goals. C. Delisle 3 goals. J. Cerami 2 goals. WB: Matt Abes 11 saves. Greg Salereno 2 goals. AM 7-4, WB 3-3.

GIRLS? LACROSSE

??St. Thomas Aquinas 15, South Plantation 5: Casey Bates 3 goals, 1 assist. Nina Bosch 1 goal 1 assist. Stevie Burger 5 saves. Delaney Weliver 3 saves.

?? American Heritage 16, University School 1: Rebecca Sheinfeld four goals, three assists. Lili Lowell, Erika Mazer, 3 goals. AH 7-2. US 5-3.

BOYS? VOLLEYBALL

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/23/2708576/st-thomas-aquinas-to-open-football.html

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