St. Thomas Aquinas completes 'Drive for 5' with state title win over Homestead

The Raiders win the program's 15th state championship behind three touchdown passes from quarterback Andrew Indorf

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- The 'Drive for Five' is complete. 

St. Thomas Aquinas entered the 2023 season aiming to win its fifth straight football state championship and it accomplished the mission. It wasn't easy, but the Raiders will be bringing home another title to the 954. 

The Raiders relied on a balanced offensive effort, led by running back Jordan Lyle, holding onto a 31-28 victory over Homestead Saturday afternoon at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Aquinas notched the 15th state championship in school history. 

"We're really fortunate to have a great foundation established by coach (George) Smith," St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Roger Harriott said. "Obviously a number of alumni and coaches way ahead of us, with regards to continuing to build and exemplify championship effort is a routine."

CLASS 3M: @STA_Football 31, @HSHBroncos 28, FINAL

The Drive for 5 is complete! @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL @CenFLAPreps @football305407 @SportsFla @polk_way @DylanOliver23 @CountyPolk @PascoCountyFB @HernandoCtyFB @FLgridironpreps @CM_gridiron @Preps352 @Naples214…

— Andy Villamarzo (@Andy_Villamarzo) December 9, 2023

Early on it was evident how Aquinas was going to attack Homestead's defense and that was on the ground with Lyle. The Ohio State-commit displayed his bruising running style against would-be Broncos' defenders. 

Aquinas took the lead just past the midway point of the first quarter when senior place kicker Francesco Pileggi knocked down a field goal, giving the Raiders a 3-0 lead. It was less than three minutes later that the Raiders struck again as quarterback Andrew Indorf (three touchdown passes) hit Lyle on a short screen and he took care of the rest, running 18 yards to pay dirt and a 10-0 Aquinas lead. 

Trailing by double digits early, Homestead needed to respond and nearly did. The Broncos got all the way down to the Raiders' one-yard line, facing a fourth and goal, ending with quarterback Joshua Townsend (four total touchdowns) getting stuffed just short of the goal line. 

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Needing that touchdown to cut the deficit to single digits, Aquinas took full advantage and just before halftime cashed in. It would be Lyle once again for the Raiders, who scored on a two-yard touchdown run with 32 seconds before intermission. 

Leading 17-0 during the third quarter, Homestead finally got on the board just past the midway point of the third quarter when Townsend hit running back Isaac Brown (Louisville commitment) on a swing pass that went 13 yards for a touchdown. Trailing 17-7, the Broncos forced a turnover and got right back on offense which led to a Townsend to Kevin Cascuda three-yard scoring pass. 

With Aquinas up just 17-14 and needing another score to create separation, Indorf answered the call and connected with wide receiver Andreus Madison on a 48-yard touchdown pass just before the fourth quarter. Homestead narrowed the gap to 24-21 early in the fourth quarter when Townsend connected with Brown one more time, a 43-yard touchdown strike. 

Around the midway point of the quarter, the Broncos were threatening to score again, inside of the Raiders' 15-yard line, and were denied as Townsend was sacked by defensive lineman Trevor Sommers. Aquinas added another score on a clutch Indorf 69-yard touchdown to Madison to give the Raiders a 10-point lead once again. 

Under pressure, @Andrew_Indorf_ delivers, hitting @AndreusMadison4 on a 69-yard touchdown pass. @STA_Football 31, @HSHBroncos 21, 4th Q 5:25 @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL @CenFLAPreps @football305407 @SportsFla @polk_way @DylanOliver23 @CountyPolk @PascoCountyFB @HernandoCtyFB… pic.twitter.com/JCItzq4ald

— Andy Villamarzo (@Andy_Villamarzo) December 9, 2023

With just over two minutes to go, Homestead got back to within a field goal on a Townsend 17-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 31-28. It ended up being the last time they would get the ball as Aquinas ran the clock out after a failed onside-kick would seal things. 

"We just play our game," Indorf said. "Coach (Roger) Harriott just trusts in us. He trusts our offensive line, our wide receivers, me and our running backs. We just played our game and got it done."

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Photos by SBLive Sports Florida photographer Matt Christopher 

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FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl