Saint Thomas Aquinas Football Faces One of the Nation's Toughest High School Schedules

The Challenging Saint Thomas Aquinas Football Schedule

The Saint Thomas Aquinas High School football team in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is known for being one of the top programs in the nation. Year after year, they face some of the toughest teams across the country as part of their demanding schedule. The 2023 slate will be no different, featuring one of the most challenging lineups Saint Thomas Aquinas football has ever seen.

Traditional Powerhouses

As is tradition, Saint Thomas Aquinas has several games slated against nationally ranked powerhouses. These perennial contenders will test the Raiders right from the start.

In week one, they are matched up against St. John Bosco from California, ranked #1 in the country. St. John Bosco went undefeated last season and will be a massive early test for the Raiders. The following week, Saint Thomas Aquinas will take on St. Frances Academy from Maryland, another nationally ranked squad expected to contend for a championship.

Later in the season, the Raiders will face two more established programs - Duncanville from Texas and IMG Academy from Florida. Duncanville was the Texas 6A Division I state champion last season, while IMG Academy is a football factory that produces top recruits every year.

Out of State Competition

In addition to powerhouses, Saint Thomas Aquinas always looks to take on top teams from across state lines. This year's schedule features several interstate matchups.

After their opening two games against California's St. John Bosco and Maryland's St. Frances Academy, the Raiders will host Oklahoma's Union High School. Union finished as Oklahoma 5A state runners-up last season and will make for an intriguing early test.

Saint Thomas Aquinas will also host Ohio's Archbishop Hoban High School. Archbishop Hoban has won six consecutive Ohio Division II state championships and will be eager to take on the Raiders.

For out of state away games, the Raiders are slated to travel to play North Carolina powerhouse Mallard Creek High School and New Jersey parochial school power Don Bosco Prep.

In-State Competition

As always, Saint Thomas Aquinas has lined up games against top teams from within Florida.

District matchups on the schedule include Western High School, Coconut Creek High School, and Blanche Ely High School. Western is coming off a narrow loss in the 7A state championship game last year. Coconut Creek and Blanche Ely both reached the postseason as well.

The Raiders will also host Plantation American Heritage, which won the 4A state title last season. Additionally, they'll face Cardinal Gibbons, Miami Central, and Chaminade-Madonna - three other perennial south Florida powers.

Final Thoughts

With matchups against 12 nationally ranked teams, Saint Thomas Aquinas is set for an incredibly challenging schedule in 2023. Facing top-tier opponents from within Florida as well as across the country, the Raiders will be tested early and often.

If Saint Thomas Aquinas can navigate this grueling lineup and make a deep playoff run, they will certainly solidify themselves once again as one of the premier high school football programs in the nation.

FAQs

Who does Saint Thomas Aquinas play in their first game of the season?

In week one, Saint Thomas Aquinas will face St. John Bosco High School from California, who is ranked #1 nationally.

How many out of state opponents is Saint Thomas Aquinas playing in 2023?

The Raiders will play 5 out of state teams - St. John Bosco (CA), St. Frances Academy (MD), Union High School (OK), Archbishop Hoban High School (OH), and Mallard Creek High School (NC).

Which Florida teams are on the Saints Thomas Aquinas schedule?

In-state opponents include Western High School, Coconut Creek High School, Blanche Ely High School, Plantation American Heritage, Cardinal Gibbons, Miami Central, and Chaminade-Madonna.