We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 St. Thomas Aquinas football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Raiders this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 14-0
- Points Scored: 585
- Points Allowed: 142
Key Losses
The Raiders lose several players who not only were a big part of last year’s undefeated season and state title run, but who were part of four consecutive state championships. That includes a couple of four-star DBs who made it tough for opposing passing games. Safety King Mack and DB Conrad Hussey leave behind stellar careers at St. Thomas Aquinas as they move on to play at D-1 schools. Mack is now a member of the Penn State Nittany Lions, while Hussey is at Florida State. Mack had 121 career tackles with 5 INT, while Hussey came away with 7 INT over the past two seasons.
Also leaving the defense is DE/LB Keyshawn Johnson, who had a stunning 17 sacks in his senior season. He is now playing at Grambling State. From the offense, RB Gemeri Sands will be missed, as he is now at Florida Atlantic. Quarterback Hezekiah “Champ” Harris made quite the impact in his senior season at Aquinas, throwing for 1,743 yards and 24 TDs while being intercepted only three times. Harris completed 62% of his passes last season, and he also rushed for 347 yards and 7 TDs. He takes his talents to West Point to play for Army. OL Ryan Mickow is at Boston College, while former linemate Broden Sobelwski, a center, joins Harris at Army.
Who’s Back
Head coach Roger Harriott welcomes back a large group of talent that will give St. Thomas Aquinas an excellent chance at making a run at a fifth consecutive state title. On offense, the Raiders return Ohio State commit Jordan Lyle at running back. Joining Lyle in the backfield will be another talented back in four-star recruit Stacey Gage, who recently committed to Central Florida.
Sophomore ATH Justice Fitzpatrick is back, and he’ll provide Harriott and the Raiders a weapon anywhere on the field this season. St. Thomas Aquinas will challenge defenses with a double threat at wide receiver in Chance Robinson and James “The Prez” Madison. Robinson has already decided to stay in South Florida to continue his career, having committed to “The U,” aka the Miami Hurricanes. Madison’s campaign has announced that he will be heading to Missouri, where he’ll have familiar company in teammate and four-star LB Nick Rodriguez, who has announced that he too will be heading to play for the Tigers after graduation.
Other returning defenders are shut-down corners Cameron Williams and Romanas Frederique, and DT David “Tank” Pein. The kicking game returns punter Michael Kern, a Texas commit, and four-star kicker Nick Romero.
What to Expect
St. Thomas Aquinas and Harriott are on quite a multi-year run of superior talent right now. Despite losing a number of standouts to graduation, they are replacing them just as fast with comparable talent. The group that will take the field in 2023 may actually be more talented than any of the past four state championship teams.
Still, it’s important to point out that even with all that talent, a team needs a coach who can harness egos while getting the best out of his players, and Roger Harriott has proven he can do that. The Raiders have players on the sidelines who likely could start for most area teams, but Harriott preaches the team concept and makes sure reserves feel as invested as starters during games. It may sound easy, but it isn’t – just ask any coach at any level who has coached talent-rich teams. That said, look for another season of superiority from St. Thomas Aquinas.
Prediction
Can the 2023 St. Thomas Aquinas football team make it five state championships in a row? Yes. 14-0 in 2023.
Game to Watch
The opener against St. John Bosco (CA) on August 26.
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