Florida Class 5A state championship: How to watch No. 13 St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Lakeland

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football state championships began last night down in Miami at Pitbull Stadium as Cardinal Mooney barreled their way past The Bolles School for the 2A crown. The state championships continue today with tonight’s Class 5A championship game will feature the Lakeland Dreadnaughts against the No. 13 nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders, winners of six consecutive state titles and gunning for a seventh. We preview the second of seven FHSAA state championship games as teams begin being crowned as champions of their classifications.

How to Watch St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Lakeland in Florida 6A state championship game

Date: Thursday, Dec. 11
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Fla.
TV Channel: NFHS Network

St. Thomas Aquinas Prep Players to Watch

QB Mason Mallory: The senior southpaw quarterback this season has completed 163 passes for 2,057 yards and 23 touchdowns.

S Zayden Gamble: The four-star prospect is ranked as the No. 207 overall prospect and No. 19 safety in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Gamble

WR Julius Jones: The 5-foot-11, 160-pound junior is entering his third year starting for the Raiders. This season, Jones has caught 51 passes for 750 yards and 14 touchdowns.

OT Mark Matthews: The highest-ranked prospect on the field will be playing for the Raiders, as Matthews is No. 2 overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings for the junior class.

Lakeland Players to Watch

LB Malik Morris: The Florida signee is back, healthy and ready to end his high school career with a title. Could see Morris switch on and off between linebacker and defensive line tonight.

QB Keelin Hendrix: Hendrix took over the starting quarterback duties in Week 4 for the Dreadnaughts and the team has been humming ever since. The quarterback has accounted for over 2,200 all-purpose yards and 34 touchdowns.

RB Anarri Cooper: The sophomore has taken more of a feature role in the backfield for Lakeland as Cooper has rushed for 892 yards and scored 11 touchdowns this season.

S CJ Cresser: The USF signee brings a heavy payload from the secondary and will play plenty in the box tonight against a run-first St. Thomas Aquinas offense.

Where to Watch the Florida Class 5A state championship on livestream:

You can watch the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders take on the Lakeland Dreadnaughts starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on NFHS Network.

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.