No. 12 Don Bosco Prep stifles No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) has dominated out of state opponents since 2008. 

But the Raiders have yet to solve Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).

The host Ironmen allowed just four first downs and one long touchdown play en route to a stunningly convincing 24-7 victory over the MaxPreps Composite Top 25 top-ranked team Saturday at historic Michie Stadium in West Point N.Y.

Since 2008, St. Thomas Aquinas is 8-2 against non-Florida teams. Both losses have come to Don Bosco Prep, the other game a 20-10 defeat to the Minutemen in Florida two seasons ago.

Bosco (2-0), which got touchdowns from Cullen Dana, Rj Trimble-Edwards and Malik Bakker, came into the game No. 12 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings. Aquinas, which scored on an 87-yard reception by Sam Bruce in the second quarter, entered No. 3.

Other than that play, the Raiders mustered less than 40 yards of offense thanks to terrific defense from, amongst others, Kevin Feder, Anthony Malaguti, Brandon Simon and William Mack III.

Don Bosco Prep has a history of playing well in big games. Against two of the nation's most prolific programs, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) and St. Thomas Aquinas, the Ironmen are 4-0.

This was the worst loss for a STA team since a 39-10 defeat to Lakeland to end the 2005 season.

A fumble recovery by Simon set up the first score of the game, an 8-yard touchdown pass from Wesley McKoy to Dana. Simon recovered the fumble at the 13 and two plays later, the Ironmen led 7-0 with 5:37 left in the first quarter.

It took just 1:02 for St. Thomas Aquinas to tie the game on a broken coverage. On 3rd-and-6, Jake Rizzo hit Bruce on a slant pattern. The nephew of former NFL great receiver Isaac Bruce broke one tackle and was gone for 87 yards and STA was even at 7-7 with 4:35 left in the first quarter.

That, however, would be the only offense – literally – St. Thomas Aquinas would muster the entire half. It would be its only first down in the first two quarters and had just 86 yards.

Bosco, like Aquinas, responded immediately thanks to a 70-yard kickoff return by Lawrence Stevens. The Raiders held, but Leo Vagias drilled a 41-yard field goal, putting the Ironmen up for good, 10-7, with 2:03 left in the first quarter.

After a scoreless second quarter, Bosco took complete command on a terrific scramble by McKoy who while on the run to his right threw a perfect 59-yard scoring strike to Trimble.

With 7:10 left in the third quarter, Bosco led 17-7.

The Ironmen then put the game away with 9:35 to go in the game on a 3-yard touchdown run by Bakker. He did most of the work on the touchdown drive.

In its season opener, St. Thomas blew out then-No. 5 American Heritage (Plantation), 38-7, on Aug. 29. Miami-committed running back Jordan Scarlett, a transfer from University (Fort Lauderdale), scored three touchdowns in his Aquinas debut.

Don Bosco Prep was also dominant in its opener last Saturday against then-No. 15 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia). The Ironmen held a commanding 35-7 lead over the Hawks when the game was called due to lightning in the second quarter. Junior running back Bakker and senior quarterback McKoy combined to run for all five Don Bosco touchdowns.