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St.Thomas Aquinas Rolls To 5A Title

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

ORLANDO Ryan Becker threw three touchdown passes as Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas beat Kissimmee Osceola 35-20 to win the Class 5A championship Friday night before 9,250 at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

The title is the fourth for St. Thomas Aquinas, but first since 1999. The Raiders (14-1) were state runners-up in 2000, '01, '04, '05 and '06.
On St. Thomas Aquinas' first offensive play, Jeremiah Harden scored a touchdown with an 84-yard run, which was an all-classification finals record.
Becker finished nine of 15 for 170 yards. His three touchdown passes were for 12, 37 and 51 yards.

Osceola running back Bubba Brown had 172 yards and scored twice on 27 carries. His final touchdown, a 29-yarder, drew Osceola to within 28-20 midway through the final quarter.

The Raiders led 21-13 at halftime.

Osceola (14-1) outgained St. Thomas Aquinas 309-308.

Naples Caps 15-0 Season With Class 3A Title

ORLANDO Greg Pratt scored on a 34-yard run in the fourth quarter and Naples' defense thwarted a late St. Augustine drive to win 17-10 in the Class 3A state title game at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Pratt's score with 7:58 left in the game came after teammate Antwain Harvey returned a free kick to the St. Augustine 38-yard line following a safety.

Pratt's run was Naples' longest play from scrimmage on a day where defense controlled the game.

Naples (15-0) had 221 total yards and 10 first downs. St. Augustine (13-2) was held to 266 yards and 14 first downs.

St. Augustine quarterback Kawaun Jakes provided most of his team's offense, finishing with 276 passing yards. His 26-yard second-quarter touchdown pass to Rashard Hall helped St. Augustine build a 10-7 halftime lead.

But Jakes was intercepted three times, once at the Naples 3-yard line in the third quarter.

Naples' only other state title came in 2001.

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