And Then There Was One: Jesuit reps the 813 in state semifinal

Jesuit senior Joquez Smith’s 1,368 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns pace the Tigers as the team heads to South Florida on Friday for a showdown with Ft. Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-0) – both teams looking for a shot to defend their state titles from a season ago this time paired up in the new FHSAA Class 3M. (Photo courtesy of Jesuit High Athletics)

Jesuit (9-4) @ Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-0)

Here we go again.

In 2021, Jesuit shocked the high school football world by knocking off St. Thomas Aquinas 24-21 in a game that was scheduled just days in advance due to Covid cancellations by each team’s previously-scheduled opponents. The Raiders were ranked sixth in the country by MaxPreps at the time, and their 24-21 loss in Tampa would be the only one of the season, on the way to yet another STA state championship.

The victory propelled the Tigers into national prominence as Jesuit won the 5A state title and finished the season ranked eighth in the country.

On Friday night the teams meet yet again, this time at Brian Piccolo Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, and with even more on the line in a 3M state semifinal contest. Just as it was last year, Aquinas comes in nationally ranked at No. 7, while the Tigers again appear to be the underdog. You can be sure that eighth-year Aquinas coach Roger Harriott will keep last year’s game top of mind as the Raiders go for a fourth-consecutive state title, while 10th-year head coach Matt Thompson looks to lead his Tigers to back-to-back championships.

Jesuit has run roughshod over its opponents so far in the playoffs, outscoring St. Petersburg, Gaither, and Largo by a combined 128-10. In last Friday’s victory over the Packers, Jesuit exploded for four, second half touchdowns to break open a three-point halftime lead. Freshman QB Will Griffin tossed for 155 yards and a touchdown. Emerging receiver Bryson Goodwin was on the receiving end of the TD throw and has scored four of his five touchdowns this year in the postseason. Senior running back Joquez Smith had his typical great game on the ground, rushing for 111 yards and a pair of scores to give him 1,368 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season.

As good as the Jesuit offense has been, the star-studded defense is playing at an equally high level. Against Largo, it was safety Drew Woodaz delivering big hits and grabbing a momentum-changing interception. Fellow safety Troy Bowles and LB Holton Roberts were in on seemingly every tackle, while defensive end Peter Pesansky notched a sack as is routine for him.

The Tigers will need to be firing on all cylinders to take Aquinas down for the second-consecutive season. A similarly impressive playoff run has seen the Raiders outscore a trio of South Florida foes 157-35.

The Raider offense is led by Navy commit Champ Harris (1,516 passing yards, 23 touchdowns) and features several FBS prospects in running back Jordan Lyle (852 yards, 11 touchdowns) along with receivers Isiaah Hardge, a Colorado commit, and Chance Robinson (13 touchdowns).

On defense, linebacker Keyshawn Johnson and defensive end Devin Pein have both racked up double digit sacks, while Penn State commits Conrad Hussey and Ryan Mack, along Rashad Henry and Justin Coles have each snared interceptions.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM on Friday.

• Rick Cantor, Staff Writer