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Broward Football Showcase: St. John Bosco snaps Aquinas win streak

jon santucci, palm beach post
·4 min read
Fort Myers hosts St. Thomas Aquinas in high school football on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Fort Myers. The two teams also played each other 30 years ago in 1992.
Fort Myers hosts St. Thomas Aquinas in high school football on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Fort Myers. The two teams also played each other 30 years ago in 1992.

FORT LAUDERDALE — St. Thomas Aquinas had its 27-game win streaked snapped in a 20-7 loss against defending national champion St. John Bosco (California) in a Broward County National High School Football Showcase on Saturday.

Bosco kicked a go-ahead field goal in the third quarter and essentially put the game away with a touchdown pass from Caleb Sanchez to Madden Williams in the fourth quarter.

Aquinas’ lone touchdown was a touchdown pass from Andrew Indorf to James Madison II in the third quarter to tie the score at 7.

Three takeaways from Aquinas’ loss

1. Madison’s catch with a thing of beauty

Madison, a Missouri commit, made a tremendous grab on a back shoulder throw by Indorf. Madison was able to get separation along the sideline, leapt and made a twisting grab before crashing to the ground in the end zone. It was a pure highlight on a day where they were in short supply for the Raiders.

2. Bosco’s pass interference penalty saved a touchdown

Aquinas’ offense struggled throughout the game, but they had a prime opportunity for a big play in the third quarter. Robinson, a Miami commit, beat his defender with a double move and had nothing but green grass in front of him. The cornerback wisely grabbed Robinson as he ran by, slowing him enough that the Robinson couldn’t reach the pass. Bosco gladly accepted the penalty instead of a score that would have given the Raiders their first lead of the game and perhaps energized the crowd, too.

3. Aquinas’ offense struggled

There are several culprits here, starting with the opposition that had a lot of speed. Aquinas’ offensive line struggled to open holes for Jordan Lyle (Ohio State commit) and the passing game just wasn’t clicking. It’s Week 1, so Aquinas has plenty of chances to work on things before the playoffs, but it still was an uncharacteristic result for the Raiders.

Gause leads Chaminade past St. Frances

Chaminade-Madonna running back Davion Gause
Chaminade-Madonna running back Davion Gause

FORT LAUDERDALE — Davion Gause rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns as Chaminade-Madonna beat St. Frances (Maryland) 35-14 in the Broward County National High School Football Showcase at St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday.

Chaminade, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 1S, trailed 14-6 at halftime but dominated in the second half.

The Lions returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Jeremiah Smith, the top-ranked player on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, caught a touchdown pass in the second half.

Takeaways/notes from Saturday’s game

Slow start, strong finish

Chaminade’s potent offense was shut out in the first half, which was as much about the Lions inability to execute as it was about what St. Frances’ defense was doing. The second half was a completely different story as Chaminade’s running attack took advantage of a quickly withering St. Frances squad. Gause, a North Carolina commit, got loose for a pair of long touchdown runs. The first tied tied the score at 14 in the third quarter and the second effectively put the game away in the fourth.

Defense sparks Chaminade

Defensive lineman Donta Simpson and linebacker Bryant Julius both scored defensive touchdowns for the Lions. Simpson was able to scoop up what appeared to be an attempt by St. Frances quarterback Michael Van Buren, an Oregon commit, to throw the ball into the ground and raced down the sideline for the score. Simpson, not to be outdone, hauled in a pass with one hand in the final minute and easily scored.

Jeremiah Smith plans to take FSU visit

Smith, an Ohio State commit, said he plans to take an official visit to Florida State and will also take game day trips to Miami, Florida and Ohio State during the fall. Smith said he remains committed to Ohio State but does not plan to shut down his recruiting until the early signing period in December.

Chaminade 4-star S Zaquan Patterson commits to Miami

Chaminade-Madonna 4-star safety Zaquan Patterson committed to Miami on Saturday.
Chaminade-Madonna 4-star safety Zaquan Patterson committed to Miami on Saturday.

FORT LAUDERDALE — Chaminade-Madonna four-star safety Zaquan Patterson is staying home.

Patterson, the No. 9 ranked player on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, commited to Miami on Saturday afternoon. He made his announcement on ESPN during halftime of the Lions game against nationally-ranked St. Frances (Maryland).

Patterson was handed a green Hurricanes hat for his announcement and immediately flashed the "U" sign with his hands. He then turned to the crowd at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and gave the same sign.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Patterson had 69 tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defended and four blocked punts in 2022, when Chaminade won the Class 1M state championship.

In addition to being one of the top safety’s in the nation, Patterson also is an outstanding special teams player. He has nine blocked kicks in his three-year varsity career, including a blocked extra point in the first half against St. Frances.

Chaminade now has six Power 5 commits in the class of 2024, including wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State commit, No. 1 on the USA Today top 100) and athlete/wide receiver Joshisa Trader (Miami commit, No. 3).

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Broward Football Showcase: St. John Bosco snaps Aquinas win streak