MIAMI – Make it six in a row.
For the first time in FHSAA history, a high school football team has won six consecutive state titles. The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (12-3 final record) accomplished the feat last night (Dec. 12) in the Class 5A state title game against Lakeland (13-1 final record) by way of their shockingly easy 34-0 win.
Leading the charge was senior quarterback Andrew Indorf, who completed 13 of 19 passes for 159 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the state championship round. He added three carries for 21 yards and a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:16 left in the fourth quarter to seal the 34-point margin of victory.
Watch Indorf’s game-icing play and his honest commentary from the state title game right below.
Indorf had a good amount of help from four running backs in the backfield, which included the likes of seniors Chance Washington (12 carries, 70 yards, two touchdowns) and Cedric Wyche II (seven carries, 30 yards). The St. Thomas Aquinas running back room combined for 28 carries, 140 yards, and three touchdowns.
The offense for St. Thomas Aquinas gained 299 total yards and 16 first downs. They were forced to punt once and committed two turnovers – an interception and a lost fumble.
Meanwhile, the St. Thomas Aquinas defense forced three turnovers while allowing just 209 yards and 11 first downs to Lakeland.
The most impactful play of the game for both teams was a 78-yard interception return from sophomore defensive back Zayden Gamble, who was able to outrun several Lakeland would-be tacklers en route to the red zone area.
Gamble’s electrifying pick happened late in the third quarter and set up what would eventually be a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Washington, who helped give St. Thomas Aquinas a 27-0 lead with 11:56 left in the game.
On special teams, senior kicker and punter Nick Romero contributed 10 of STA’s 34 points by way of two field goals and four extra points in this one.
Watch Romero’s 22-yard field goal that gave STA a 20-0 lead in the third quarter and his commentary below.
With the easy 34-point margin victory, St. Thomas Aquinas capped off an amazing playoff run that featured an overtime classic thriller (49-42 road win over Atlantic; Class 5A-Region 4 final) and another close win (16-13 road triumph over No. 1 overall seed Manatee; Class 5A state semifinals).
With all that said, led by head coach Roger Harriott, St. Thomas Aquinas has cemented itself as the most successful high school football program in FHSAA history.
And it is not close at all.
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