Aquinas Too Much For Elder

In the first game of the Kirk Herbstreit Football Series in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Raiders of St. Thomas Aquinas came out of an early slumber to regain control and show why many feel their one of the nations top prep football teams.

The Elder Panthers have enjoyed success playing in the Kirk Herbstreit event and also defeat. With a fast start the Cincinnati, Ohio team jumped out to a 10-0 lead before St. Thomas Aquinas came together and showed their power winning 35-24.

Leading the way for the Panthers was wide receiver Josh Jones a verbal commitment to the University of Cincinnati with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. While the Panthers would pick up 288 yards in the air, a lot of it came as they tried to comeback against the team from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Raiders would use their defense to rush the Panthers forcing them into several mistakes. Elder would be sacked 6 times on the day and throw 4 interceptions and fumble the ball away 3 more times. While the Panthers would score two more times on the day, they didn't have meaning as the Aquinas offense went to work.

Vincent Mauro would post 9 total tackles on the day joined by John Baglia and Conor O'Neill with 7 each.

Aquinas quarterback Ryan Becker would enjoy a positive day going 10-18 with 3 touchdowns and only 1 interception. The Panthers tried to apply pressure but found the going tough against a great looking offensive line headed by Brandon Linder a 6-foot-6, 265-pound offensive lineman with great feet and technique.

Becker found two main targets on the day in Duron Carter and Dwayne Difton. Carter, an Ohio State verbal commitment enjoyed a homecoming returning to his fathers home state and gave the crowd what they were looking for by pulling down 4 catches for 131 yards and a score.

Difton didn't leave anyone to second guess his talent by also pulling down 4 balls for 121 yards and a score.

The Raiders would have seven players take their turn rushing the football with Giovanni Bernard gaining 43 yards on 12 carries. Becker would also rush 11 times for 37 yards.