MaxPreps 2013 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 16 St. Thomas Aquinas

On Oct. 5 last year, fresh off a 27-24 loss to Miramar, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) stood at 3-2 and had lost three of its last six games dating back to 2011 -- a very un-Aquinian stretch of games for the state power.

At that point, the season turned around. Aquinas rattled off 10 consecutive victories, highlighted by a 17-point win over then No. 1-ranked Manatee and punctuated by a 41-25 win over Lincoln to capture the Class 7A state title.

This year's Aquinas squad should more closely resemble the Raiders that ended the season, rather than the ones that started it.

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Aquinas will be strong in the trenches, which should set the tone for the team's play on both sides of the ball.

Nick Linder returns to anchor a unit that will feature fellow seniors Ryan Crozier, Tyler Dever and Kai Ashbeer, all of whom saw time last year.

That should make running back Madre London's job much easier. A big, physical back originally from Arkansas, London will be the team's primary ballcarrier after splitting time with Fred Coppet a year ago.

Corey Holmes, a coveted recruit, is back at receiver. He'll be a valuable asset for whichever quarterback, most likely Wade Freebeck or Jake Rizzo, wins the job.

On the other side of the ball, Florida-bound Anthony Moten and Nicholas Bosa, who captured MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors last fall, have the potential to dominate in the trenches. Moten is a big-bodied tackle that commands double teams and Bosa is explosive and a sure-tackler, and already well ahead of brother Joey's development.

Al Harris gives the team some experience in the secondary. The linebackers will be entirely new, as will the team's defensive coordinator, Bill Tierney, who will take over the duty from head coach Rocco Casullo.



See the entire St. Thomas Aquinas photo gallery

Local look: "Looking at St. Thomas Aquinas, which has won two state championships in the last three years, you can clearly see just how smoothly the transition has been from George Smith to Rocco Casullo. I think the biggest tests this year that will set Aquinas apart are the game against John Curtis in the Superdome and against the Class 8A state runner-up, Cypress Bay. If they can acquire wins in both those games, that would not only boost their national stock, but again line them up as the possible team to represent Class 7A from the south in the state finals once again. The one thing they don't have to worry about? Having to run into Manatee in the playoffs."
- Josh Wilson, floridahsfootball.com
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School Size: Class 7A


Enrollment: 2,200 (approx.)


2012 finish: 13-2; Class 7A state champion


Head coach: Rocco Casullo


Career record: 23-5


Years at school: 12 (10 as assistant coach)




Notable players coached:

LB Tavares Gooden (Miami, NFL)

DL Geno Atkins (Miami, NFL)

S Major Wright (Florida, NFL)

RB Gio Bernard (North Carolina, NFL)
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No. of returning starters: 5 (offense), 3 (defense)


Key losses:



DL Joey Bosa

QB John O'Korn

RB Fred Coppet

LB Lance Virgile


Key returners:

WR Corey Holmes



RB Madre London

OL Nick Linder

DL Anthony Moten

DB Al Harris


Key newcomers:

QB Wade Freebeck
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Toughest game: One could make the argument that Miramar, which has beaten Aquinas in consecutive seasons, is the toughest opponent on Aquinas' schedule. We'll go with defending national champion Curtis in a game that will be played in Louisiana.



Question mark: Will the team get steady play from the quarterback spot? O'Korn came up huge for the team down the stretch last season. Outstanding play behind center has been a hallmark of the Aquinas program. A leader needs to emerge for 2013.

Local outlook: Aforementioned Miramar will be difficult yet again. University, led by Aquinas alum Roger Harriott, is an emerging power. Over in Palm Beach County, Dwyer, which defeated Aquinas in the playoffs in 2011, looks to have more offensive skill players than it is accustomed to having.

Overall outlook: Aquinas is one of the nation's premier programs. After a disappointing 2011 and a slow start to 2012, it closed with an extremely impressive run to a state title. Now, as 2013 begins, it has the appearance of the Aquinas juggernaut of old.

Coach quote: "The spring was very competitive with many position battles. The intensity was great."
- Head coach Rocco Casullo
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