(FRISCO, Texas) -- Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas represented the state of Florida in a nationally televised high school bowl game vs. nationally ranked #12 Bingham (UT) in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series. Aquinas dominated through 3 quarters 30-0, prevailed despite a 25 point score shower by the Miners in the 4th quarter. The result was a 33-25 win in which Aquinas displayed why high school football in Florida reigns supreme.

Aquinas had something to prove on a national stage. The Raiders lost a nationally televised contest to national powerhouse Las Vegas Bishop Gorman 25-24 in late September. The Raiders loss a tight contested game and also one of their top playmakers, 5-star WR Trevon Grimes. The game marked the second loss of the season for the Raiders, with a previous loss to Florida powerhouse Miami Booker T. Washington. There were a few doubters, but the Raiders were never to look back. St. Thomas Aquinas ran the board after the Gorman loss. And they held no mercy on their future opponents. They breezed the playoffs, dominating state teams. Going into the Class 7A State Championship, Aquinas outscored teams

Senior Mike Harley, a West Virginia commit, started the onslaught with a 44 yd Touchdown off a WR screen. Harley hit a hopstep, eluded two Miners defenders, showcasing that coveted Florida Speed. Harley then represented Broward County on the national stage hitting the latest bop by Pompano Beach rap sensation Kodak Black.

10 game win streak


The Miners were on the brink of a first score, attempting to punch it in from inside the one. Bingham (UT) QB spun and the ball came out, with Aquinas LB Tyler Dunning, Missisippi State commit, scooping and score from 99 yards out.

As Tyler Dunning was about to cross the goal, Bingham WR #7 attempted his best Steve Tasker impersonation, jarring the ball free. Dunning avoided a Leon Lett moment by recovering his own fumble before it went out of the back of the endzone, resulting in a defensive TD for the Raiders.

ALMOST AIN'T GOOD ENOUGH

From inside their own 1, @STA_Football LB @theTylerDunning returns Bingham (UT) fumble 99 yds for TD! #FLgridiron pic.twitter.com/atveIQy3GG

— FloridaGridironPreps (@FLgridironpreps) December 24, 2016

Bingham scored 25 points in 4th Quarter
Down 30-0 at the start of the 4Q, Bingham (UT) started to get things rolling. The Miners put up 25 points in the 4th Qtr. The Raiders thwarted last ditch effort by recovering Miners onside kickoff. It sealed the win for the Raiders capping a great game in which Aquinas took their foot off the pedal, but talent held strong to ensure the win.



Florida high schools now 2-0 in National Bowl games




Follow us at @FLgridironpreps