Florida High School Football: No. 12 St. Thomas Aquinas cruises in 5A state semifinal

In search of their 17th state championship and seventh in a row, No. 12 nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas took care of business to advance to Miami for the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 5A title game.

The Raiders rushed out to a 38-0 halftime lead and never looked back as they cruised past Riverdale in a 45-13 victory at Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium on Friday night. St. Thomas Aquinas will either face Ponte Vedra or Lakeland, which is the team the Raiders faced last year.

The state semifinal victory may have come at a steep price, however, as Georgia commit Justice Fitzpatrick was on crutches after the game after injuring his leg in the second quarter, according to USA Today’s Jon Santucci. Fitzpatrick has seen an increased role this season for St. Thomas Aquinas, playing both offense and defense.

Aquinas 4-star DB Justice Fitzpatrick (@GeorgiaFootball commit) with on crutches after the game. Injured right leg playing WR in the second quarter of the state semifinal @PrepRedzoneFL @FootballHotbed @NickWilsonUSAT @CoachQ954 pic.twitter.com/1TaiuarDVS

— Jon Santucci (@JonSantucci) December 6, 2025

The Raiders started off slow in the first quarter, but eventually got going when running back Jaden Desir scored on a 31-yard touchdown run. Just before the opening period ended, quarterback Mason Mallory would throw a 16-yard touchdown pass that would give St. Thomas Aquinas a 17-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Mallory ended up adding two more touchdowns in the second quarter, one passing and one rushing as the Raiders went into the half up with an insurmountable lead.

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