It's official: St. Thomas Aquinas will play Bishop Gorman on Sept. 30

Video: Trevon Grimes Ultimate Highlights
See highlights of the 5-star wide receiver from St. Thomas Aquinas.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) announced officially Tuesday what Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) 5-star quarterback Tate Martell tweeted out unofficially two months ago — the two powerhouse programs will tangle Sept. 30 in Las Vegas on ESPN.

"I think this is an exceptional opportunity presented to us," St. Thomas Aquinas coach Roger Harriott told Sun-Sentinel.com. "We feel blessed and grateful to represent St. Thomas Aquinas, Broward County and the state of Florida."

The game features two programs with rich history. Both are annually ranked among the top 10 teams in nation and in 2016 they will each be heavily considered for top-five status.

St. Thomas Aquinas boasts a whopping 11 players among the top 1,000 seniors, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, led by wide receiver Trevon Grimes (No. 11). Only quarterback Jake Allen (No. 219, Florida) and running back Jordan Merrell (No. 952, Cincinnati) have committed. The Raiders (13-1) won their ninth state title and second-straight 7A crown in December.



Gorman, coached by Kenny Sanchez, has four seniors ranked among the top 166 and six among the top 735, led by Texas A&M-bound quarterback Martell. Others who have committed are defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, No. 74 to Ohio State, and USC-bound safety Bubba Bolden (No. 161 overall).

The Gaels have won 14 Nevada state titles, seven consecutively, and won 39 straight games overall. Their last loss was to another Florida team, Booker T. Washington (Miami) on Oct. 4 2013. That 28-12 loss was also televised on ESPN and was also in Las Vegas.

Gorman, which always schedules tough, has perhaps its toughest schedule. The Gaels will open in Texas against a loaded Cedar Hill squad, followed by hosting Cocoa (Fla.), at New Jersey national juggernaut Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), then hosting Hawaii power Kahuku and Aquinas.