Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Manatee still has the top ranking in the Xcellent 25.
Photo by Marc Estrada
In 2009, Manatee stunned St. Thomas Aquinas, upsetting the Raiders in the playoffs and shattering their chance at a No. 1 finish in the Xcellent 25. This season, Manatee (14-0) is ranked No. 1, and Aquinas will look to play the role of spoiler. Manatee is led by outstanding dual-threat quarterback
Cord Sandberg, who is committed to Mississippi State.
Ja Juan Pollock has picked up the slack at receiver in the wake of an injury to standout
Anthony Lauro. Defensively, Manatee has accounted for 34 total sacks.
See our Florida playoff score projectionsAfter a rocky start, St. Thomas Aquinas (12-2) has won eight straight games, including last week's 38-24 victory over Boyd Anderson. This is not a vintage Aquinas squad, but it's still potentially dangerous. The defense, which features brothers
Joseph Bosa and
Nicholas Bosa, has really come on late in the season. Quarterback
John O'Korn has enjoyed a nice senior season. Aquinas has won three of its last four meetings with Manatee.
Mitch Stephens: Manatee 28, St. Thomas Aquinas 24
Jamie DeMoney: Manatee 38, St. Thomas Aquinas 17
Stephen Spiewak: Manatee 35, St. Thomas Aquinas 14
Leland Gordon: Manatee 31, St. Thomas Aquinas 21
Kevin Askeland: Manatee 48, St. Thomas Aquinas 7
Steve Montoya: Manatee 35, St. Thomas Aquinas 21
