No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas

Despite graduating a tremendous amount of key players following the 2009 season, including Lamarcus Joyner, Cody Riggs, Gio Bernard and Brandon Linder, the Raiders reloaded in 2010 and finished No. 2 in the country, a testament to the tremendous coaching and player development at Aquinas.

In 2011, the Raiders will not miss a beat, as young players will meld with some key returners to make Aquinas the favorite in Florida's newly created Class 7A.

Speedy quarterback Max Lescano will provide a new dimension to the team's offense, with his ability to break down defenses with his legs. Dami Ayoola and Fred Coppet combine to form a running back duo that will be hard to top.

New head coach and defensive whiz Rocco Casullo will have plenty to work with, especially in the front seven, as jumbo defensive end Jelani Hamilton and hard-hitting linebacker Cole Champion return. Bryan Cox Jr., who played his junior season in Ohio, could also join the team before the season.



Despite the new faces at wide receiver and in the secondary, it will be extremely difficult for any Florida team to topple the Aquinas juggernaut.

Local look: "Even though George Smith retired, he definitely didn't leave the cupboard bare. It's common knowledge around here that St. Thomas Aquinas never rebuilds, but simply reloads. Until they have a mediocre season - which no one sees for a long time - they will be a top 10 or 15 school nationally every year."
- Steve Dorsey, 2001 Palm Beach County Hall-of-Fame sports writer and MaxPreps freelance contributor

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School Size: Class 7A


Enrollment: 2,200 (approx.)




2010 finish: 14-0, 5A state champion


Head coach: Rocco Casullo


Career record: 0-0


Years at school: 10 (as assistant coach)

Notable players coached:
LB Tavares Gooden (Miami, NFL)
DL Geno Atkins (Miami, NFL)
S Major Wright (Florida, NFL)

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Number of starters returning: 6 (defense), 4 (offense)




Key returners:
DE Jelani Hamilton
LB Cole Champion
RB Dami Ayoola







Key losses:
QB Jake Rudock
WR Rashad Greene
WR Phillip Dorset
DB Marcus Roberson




Key newcomers:
DB Vernon Harris
WR Corey Holmes
DE Bryan Cox Jr. (transfer)

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Toughest game: Prattville (Ala.). While California powerhouse De La Salle looms in September, Aquinas' toughest game may be its Aug. 26 showdown with No. 6 Prattville, a game the Raiders will play on the road in Birmingham.



Top local contenders: Fellow Fort Lauderdale private school University, which lost in triple overtime in the 2B final last season to Trinity Catholic, should be just as strong in 2011. In Dade County, Columbus should stand out among Miami schools.

Question marks: Between Rudock, Greene and Dorsett, this team lost a tremendous amount of offensive firepower that will be difficult to replace, at least initially. Young players will have to step up immediately for the Raiders to have success against Prattville.

Overall outlook: This perennial powerhouse will continue to thrive under new head coach Rocco Casullo, who spent 10 years as an assistant under George Smith. The Raiders will challenge Armwood as the top team in Florida and remain among the nation's elite.

Coach quote: "You never know. Our first month is brutal. Prattville, Cypress Bay, De La Salle, Miramar. We play four teams in the Top 50 in the nation. Our kids have been there before and they understand what it takes. If we stay healthy, with the talent we have in the lower grades, I think eventually we could be pretty good. But we need a lot of guys to step up."
- Rocco Casullo

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