The running of Zidane Thomas and defense of Centennial does in weary St. Thomas Aquinas.
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A short week and a long trip equaled a big nightmare for the nation's No. 3 team.
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), which played Monday night, made a cross-country flight to face undefeated
Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.) on Friday night.
Aquinas (3-1), which earlier had a 24-day layoff due to Hurricane Irma, could get nothing going offensively and dropped a 12-0 contest to the host Coyotes.
Field goals of 33 and 29 yards by
Xavier Rojas set up by Centennial's defense and the running of
Zidane Thomas was all Centennial needed to post the upset victory. Thomas (113 yards rushing) then put it away with a 56-yard scoring sprint with 1:33 remaining.
Centennial running back Zidane Thomas, a Florida native, rushed for 113 yards, including a game-clinching 56-yard touchdown late.
Photo by Mark Jones
Rojas drilled his 33-yarder late in the first quarter. The drive was aided by 30 yards of penalty on Aquinas.
A long run by Thomas set up Rojas' second field goal with 9:43 left in the game.
Down 6-0, Aquinas drove to the Centennial 23 with less than three minutes to play, but
Devin Butler sacked quarterback
Curt Casteel to all but seal it. Thomas then broke loose for the first touchdown scored against Aquinas all season.
St. Thomas Aquinas mustered only 203 yards of offense and committed 13 penalties for 130 yards. The Raiders' defense was superb, allowing just 163 total yards. But it wasn't enough.
Centennial (6-0) travels next week to Shadow Ridge (Surprise, Ariz.) while Aquinas, which won 44-0 over Stranahan on Monday, hosts Deerfield Beach.
Xavier Rojas with one of his two field goals for Centennial.
Photo by Mark Jones
St. Thomas Aquinas receiver Teriq Phillips goes up high but can't come down with a potential touchdown grab.
Photo by Mark Jones
The fans were jammed in and around Centennial's home stadium.
Photo by Mark Jones
