Recruiting: Aquinas RB Lyle taking things "day-by-day" heading into early signing period
TALLAHASSEE — Jordan Lyle had his third state championship medal hung around his neck, hugged an assistant coach and the tears started to flow.
Lyle scored two touchdowns — one rushing and one receiving — as Aquinas outlasted Homestead 31-28 to win the Class 3M state championship on Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The win is the Raiders fifth consecutive state title, which is a new state record.
“At the beginning of the season, you never know what’s going to happen,” Lyle said. “The whole world doubted us. They said we weren’t as good as last year’s team. I feel like we proved it today. The young guys did an outstanding job I’m just so proud of the coaching staff and the players. It really means the world to me to do it again.”
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Aquinas jumped out to a 17-0 lead at halftime and appeared to be cruising until Homestead made it a game in the second half. But every time the Raiders offense needed a response, it came up with one.
“We’ve been talking about it since Week 1,” Lyle said. “We were going to go through some adversity and that’s what went through. We stuck to the plan. The defense has a great leader, Nick Rodriguez, and I just follow those guys.
“It’s great to be a part of history.”
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With the game on the line late in the fourth quarter, the Raiders put the ball in Lye’s hands to run out the clock.
He picked up a key first down on third-and-3 to seal the game and secure the title for Aquinas.
“First down,” Lyle said. “That’s all I’m thinking. You know, my coaches trust in me to get that first down. I had to go through with it.”
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The 6-foot, 180-pound senior committed to Ohio State on April 29, but the hometown Miami Hurricanes haven’t given up recruiting him.
With less than two weeks before the early signing period, Lyle said those are the only two schools he’s still in contact with.
“I’m just taking it day by day,” he said. “It’s still Ohio State. We’ll see what happens with that.”
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Aquinas RB Lyle taking it day-by-day heading into early signing period
