Defending Florida 7A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas ended Saint Louis’ 38-game winning streak with a 35-19 victory in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series on Saturday at Fertitta Field in Las Vegas.
Three Raiders rushed for touchdowns as St. Thomas Aquinas (15-0), which won its state title eight days earlier, shut out the Crusaders (12-1) in the second half.
Saint Louis hadn’t played since beating Kahuku 45-6 to win its fourth consecutive Open Division state championship in Hawaii on Nov. 29.
Crusaders quarterback Jayden de Laura, who signed with Washington State on Wednesday, finished 27-for-47 for 273 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another score but turned the ball over four times.
Koali Nishigaya had 11 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown and Isaac Silva added 10 receptions for 85 yards to lead Saint Louis, which hadn’t lost since a 33-20 defeat against Punahou in September 2016.
The Raiders forced a Saint Louis fumble on the first play from scrimmage and scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Zion Turner to Antonio Johnson on the next play.
Saint Louis settled down and took a 13-7 lead after de Laura threw touchdown passes to Roman Wilson and Nishigaya.
De Laura scored on a 22-yard run late in the first half to cut the deficit to 21-19, but the Crusaders were stopped going for a 2-point conversion to tie the game.
Saint Louis didn’t score over the final 25:43.
The Crusaders played their first game off island in 20 years.
Nick Herbig blocked a punt and had three sacks to lead the Saint Louis defense. The Crusaders were ranked No. 6 in the nation in the USA Today Super 25. St. Thomas Aquinas was No. 3.
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At Fertitta Field
Saint Louis (12-1) 13 6 0 0 — 19
St. Thomas Aquinas (15-0) 7 14 14 0 — 35
StA—Antonio Johnson 32 pass from Zion Turner (Noah Botsford kick)
StL—Roman Wilson 17 pass from Jayden de Laura (kick blocked)
StL—Koali Nishigaya 8 pass from de Laura (Lason Napuunoa kick)
StA—Marcus Rosemy 19 pass from Turner (Botsford kick)
StA—Travis Dixon 12 run (Botsford kick)
StL—de Laura 22 run (run failed)
StA—Anthony Hankerson 3 run (Botsford kick)
StA—Jaedon Henry 11 run (Botsford kick)
RUSHING—Saint Louis: de Laura 7-31, Kainalu Tumpap 5-21, Mason Taliulu 3-15, Ka’ohu Kamakawiwo’ole 1-2. St. Thomas Aquinas: Hankerson 24-110, Dixon 9-40, Henry 7-35, team 2-(minus 4), Turner 7-(minus 14).
PASSING—Saint Louis: de Laura 27-47-3-273. St. Thomas Aquinas: Turner 8-14–0-120, Derek Wingo 1-1-0-23, Rosemy 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Saint Louis: Nishigaya 11-84, Isaac Silva 10-85, Wilson 4-53, Matt Sykes 1-30, Makena Ramos-Kamaka 1-21. St. Thomas Aquinas: Rosemy 3-44, Johnson 1-32, The’andris Freeman 1-23, Ethan Corbin 1-19, Jahvante Royal 1-12, Henry 1-9, Hankerson 1-4.
IMHO-
Ive seen the best football in the past 2 years of this pilot than the previous 10.
The D1 and D2 matchups have been competitive and exciting to watch.
With the exception of Lulu, the OPEN has produced some of the best football to watch in years.
Creating new and reviving old rivalries have been entertaining and brings back fond memories. I think we wait a little bit and let this develop, I am sure that the rest of the teams will begin to catch up to Lulu.
@mbncan2
You hit the “Nail on the Head” with #29 & #30..
@ILoveHawaii
Mililani & Campbell became competitive by bringing in kids from other schools; that’s what it takes to be competitive in the Open. In the meantime Waianae, Farrington & Kapolei struggling to stay afloat.
I really think ALL Open teams should be able to recruit kids “LEGALLY” that is the only way to a LEVEL playing field.
This is the reason St John Bosco, Mater Dei & De La Salle are Always in the TOP 5 in California.
???
seniorcitizen2020
SEC
All you guys have made truthful honest points about STL and I agree. But here’s my point Florida have about 15 teams that will beat STA on any giving night. We don’t make up excuses about players that got injured or ineligible. Bcuz STA didn’t have all there playmakers available either. So that’s football. It’s all about next man up and going out and executing and kicking there butt here in Florida. STL can’t handle smash mouth football for 4quarters against the Florida big dawgs. And the injuries will pile up if they play a Florida schedule. They’re to slow and to small and can’t handle the physicality. They will get banged up.
@Mbncan2
(#30)
No STL couldn’t stay healthy playing a Florida schedule on a weekly basis they’re not big enough to handle our physical smash mouth style of football on a weekly basis. They would have to change the way they do there strength and conditioning program. And the offensive style they play you’re not going to win 10 games straight in Florida without a lack of a running game. Good luck.