Class 5A state final: St. Thomas Aquinas blanks Lakeland in 29-0 win

MIAMI – It was deja vu all over again.

In last season’s Class 5A state title game at Pitbull Stadium, we had a matchup between defending state champion St. Thomas Aquinas and runner-up Lakeland. A completely one-sided affair occurred as the Raiders blew by the Dreadnaughts in a 34-0 win.

Did anyone think the rematch would be any different?

In a way, we did get a different outcome this time. But it went in an unexpected way, as special teams ruled Thursday night (Dec. 11).

Class 5A state title game MVP and senior kicker Johnny DiSalvatore connected on five field goals and added two extra points as he led No. 1 overall seed St. Thomas Aquinas (14-1 final record) to a 29-0 win over No. 2 overall seed Lakeland (12-3 final record).

This was likely the most straightforward game sequence in at least recent memory. Let us show you how it could be the case.

Here is a sequence of DiSalvatore’s five field goals that would give St. Thomas Aquinas a 15-0 lead over Lakeland by the end of the third quarter:

•First field goal made to give St. Thomas Aquinas a 3-0 lead at the 8:23 mark of the first quarter: 19 yards

•Second field goal made to give St. Thomas Aquinas a 6-0 lead at the 51-second mark of the first quarter: 30 yards

•Third field goal made to give St. Thomas Aquinas a 9-0 lead at the halftime buzzer: 30 yards

•Fourth field goal made to give St. Thomas Aquinas a 12-0 lead at the 10:11 mark of the third quarter: 33 yards

•Fifth field goal made to give St. Thomas Aquinas a 15-0 lead at the 7:21 mark of the third quarter: 33 yards

To sum this up, the Kornblue FAB50 5-star kicker made field goals of 19, 30, 30, 33, and 33 yards entering the fourth quarter.

And about the final frame, we got two scores from St. Thomas Aquinas. They came from the ground by two senior running backs.

Here is the sequence right below.

•Jaden Desir: 1-yard touchdown run with 8:00 left in the game 

•Morris Choice: 6-yard touchdown run with 6:27 left in the game

DiSalvatore made both extra points to account for the final score.

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Hear words from DiSalvatore after he was named the Class 5A state title game MVP.

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FIRST NOTE: St. Thomas Aquinas has won seven straight state titles, a Florida first in high school football. The Raiders now have an extensive FHSAA-record 17 state titles to date.

SECOND NOTE: St. Thomas Aquinas senior quarterback Mason Mallory had a game to remember. Despite accounting for zero points in this one, he posted the following statistics:

•21-for-32, 261 passing yards

•8 carries, 104 rushing yards

•365 total yards

•No turnovers

THIRD AND FINAL NOTE: As a whole, the St. Thomas Aquinas offense gained 383 yards and had 15 first downs with no turnovers against Lakeland. And on defense the Raiders allowed 17 first downs, but forced three turnovers – two interceptions and a lost fumble – while registering seven sacks and allowing just 246 total yards to the Dreadnaughts.

PHOTO CREDITS: James Harden / Tuff Shot Media

PHOTO AND VIDEO CREDITS: PMO Sports