St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Columbus: Live Score Updates of Top Florida High School Football Matchup

Follow the action from a national top-20 game

The Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Cougars hosted the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Raiders in their first football game of the season Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 in Sarasota. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (2-0) play the No. 17 Columbus Explorers (2-0) in a top national and Florida high school football matchup on Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET

Both the Raiders and the Explorers won big games last week. The Raiders routed defending Texas Class 6A DII champion DeSoto, 38-14. Tyler Reid ran for a 57-yard touchdown on the Raiders' first play from scrimmage.

The Explorers upset No. 7 Bishop Gorman (NV) (2-1) 33-28 at Brian Piccolo Stadium. Senior five-star safety A'Mir Sears proved why he is a highly-rated recruit. He caught two touchdowns and snagged three interceptions.

Top Recruits to Watch

Columbus

A'mir Sears, Sr., CB — 5* - Miami (FL)
Sekou Toure, Jr., So, ATH — 4* - Offers from Rutgers, Penn State, Syracuse
Ajavion Willis, Sr., CB — 3* - Pitt
Kai Moore, Sr., QB — 3* - Northern Illinois
Cecil Smith, Sr., RB — 3* - Northern Illinois
Damien Harvey, Jr., DL — 3* - Offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville
Remarus Turnier, Sr., OL — 3* - Georgia State
Tavares Ward, Sr., CB — 3* - Middle Tennessee State

St. Thomas Aquinas

Mark Matthews, Sr. OL - 5* - Texas A&M
Wyatt Smith, Sr., DE - 5* - Ohio State
Julius Jones, Sr., WR - 5* - Notre Dame
Zayden Gamble, Sr., DB - 4* - Notre Dame
Jaden Carey, Sr., DB - 4* - Ohio State
Samari Howard, Sr., DB - 4* - Colorado
Austin Coles, Sr., WR - 3* - Kentucky
Tyler Reid, Sr., RB - 3* - Pitt
Andre Jones, Jr., - 3* - Notre Dame

St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Columbus: Live Score Updates of Top Florida High School Football Matchup

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