FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – On what was earlier a rainy and humid day in South Florida, saw the final day of the Broward Elite Showcase and the main event card of the event.
After a near hour lightning delay the game started a little before 5pm after being originally slated for a 4pm kickoff the action was underway.
After a tightly contested first quarter, Aquinas broke down the gate with a goal-line rushing touchdown from Jerry DeRosier to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead a little more than halfway through the quarter. However, it was safe to say Gorman didn’t lie down and let the state powerhouse trample over them. Just after two minutes of Aquinas scoring, Gorman’s offense unleashed a deep bomb to the endzone as Melvin Spicer IV found his receiver Derek Meadows for the tie.
5 ⭐️ LSU commit Derek Meadows is SPECIAL. Perfect pass from Bishop Gorman QB Melvin Spicer for the 41 yard TD 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GvFhJgBJyc
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) August 24, 2024
A little through the second quarter Aquinas broke the tie with Ahmari Stevenson catching a beautiful put-up throw to take the lead back 14-7.
#5 St. Thomas Aquinas is getting HOT against top-ranked Bishop Gorman 💥@STA_Football pic.twitter.com/UgL3y7GDTq
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) August 24, 2024
Gorman drove down the field before the end of the half to shrink the Aquinas lead, as the Raiders led 14-10 coming into the 2nd half.
Aquinas extended their lead as as Andrew Indorf hits Julius Jones for a deep touchdown. Jones, a sophomore standout had himself an incredible day outside of the loss as he had 14 receptions and went over 150 yards.
Gorman got their response towards the end of the 3rd to shrink the lead 21-17. This is where the game turned around completely.
Gorman popped a field goal in at the beginning of the 4th quarter to put the game within one point. From there, it was all Gorman.
Gorman took their first lead of the day as Terrance Grant put on a big push to the endzone to put Gorman up 26-21. With an added bonus a field goal from Gorman extended the lead.
Aquinas was down 29-21 with the ball in two-minute territory, Aquinas moved their way down the field and found themselves in a rough 4th and 21 situation. On the last play of the drive Gorman’s defense came up big and sealed a game winning interception to defend their status as the #1 ranked school in the entire nation.
