St. Thomas Aquinas And DeSoto to Clash in a Florida-Texas Top 25 National High School Football Game: Live updates

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) needed exactly one offensive snap to announce what kind of night it was going to be for DeSoto (Tex.).

Tyler Reid broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown on the Raiders' first play from scrimmage, and St. Thomas Aquinas never looked back, overwhelming DeSoto in the first half on the way to a 38-14 victory in a matchup of nationally ranked high school football powers at the Broward National Showcase.

The Raiders did their damage in just about every way possible. They scored on offense and defense, kicked a field goal and produced a special-teams touchdown while building a stunning 38-0 halftime advantage.

DeSoto showed some fight after halftime, scoring twice and shutting out the Raiders over the final two quarters, but the damage had already been done.

St. Thomas Aquinas Strikes Quickly

After DeSoto punted on its opening possession, Reid took the Raiders' first snap 57 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

The Eagles' defense settled down from there, forcing a punt on Aquinas' next possession, but the Raiders soon found another way to score.

With 52 seconds remaining in the first quarter, defensive back Jaden Carey intercepted a DeSoto pass and raced down the right sideline for a pick-six. The extra point gave St. Thomas Aquinas a 14-0 advantage after one quarter.

The Raiders then broke the game open in the second.

Kyle Infante connected on a 33-yard field goal to make it 17-0 before another DeSoto mistake gave Aquinas a short field. Eagles running back SaRod Baker fumbled while attempting to throw on a double pass, with Andre Jones forcing the turnover.

Starting at the DeSoto 14, Aquinas needed just one play for Collin Francis to score and extend the lead to 24-0.

Special Teams Help Raiders Turn It Into a Rout

Zayden Gamble appeared to have a punt-return touchdown earlier in the second quarter, only to have the 53-yard return erased by a blindside-block penalty.

He didn't waste his second opportunity.

With 1:30 remaining before halftime, Gamble fielded another DeSoto punt and took it 60 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Aquinas advantage to 31-0.

The Raiders weren't finished.

Quarterback Blake Calixte connected with Julius Jones Jr. for another touchdown with just 19 seconds remaining, sending St. Thomas Aquinas into halftime with a commanding 38-0 lead.

With the margin triggering a running clock, the outcome was essentially settled before the second half began.

DeSoto Battles Back After Halftime

The Eagles finally found some momentum immediately after halftime when K'adrian Redmond intercepted Aquinas on the Raiders' opening possession of the third quarter.

A personal foul helped move DeSoto into scoring position, and Baker eventually powered into the end zone from a yard out. He also converted the two-point attempt to make it 38-8.

DeSoto continued moving the football against Aquinas' reserves, but Colorado commit Samari Howard halted another Eagles threat with an interception.

The game also became chippy following an Aquinas punt, with players from both teams getting involved in an altercation before coaches and officials quickly restored order. Personal fouls were assessed to both teams.

Aquinas Finishes Off Impressive Victory

DeSoto continued competing through the final quarter, with Baker producing several more productive runs.

The Eagles added their final touchdown in the closing minutes when Kendrick McCoy pulled in a pass thrown behind him, spun away and reached the end zone. A failed two-point conversion left the final margin at 38-14.

To track the action as it was reported during our in-game Live Score Updates, scroll through the thread below.

Live Score Updates!

FINAL SCORE: St. Thomas Aquinas 38, DeSote 14

4th Quarter

The clock has would down to 0:00 and Aquinas completes the victory.

TOUCHDOWN! Kendrick McCoy corals a pass that was thrown behind, spins and reaches the end zone for DeSoto. The Eagles fail to convert a two-point run and Aquinas continues to lead, 38-14, with a little over a minute remaining.

DeSoto has started to play its reserves as well as they try to add another score. The Eagles are at the Aquinas 20 with 2:30 to go.

Baker breaks off a big run down to the Aquinas 30, but a block in the back call cost the Eagles 10 yards. The play results in a first down. The game is stopped for a hydration break with 5:05 remaining in the final quarter.

Sarod Baker continues to play hard, he has a first down run out across the 35.

After a TV timout, the Eagles have the ball at their own 18.

We have finally reached the final quarter. Aquinas has the ball near midfield, but the Raiders are set to punt it away as the game clock is down 9:30.

END OF 3RD QUARTER: St. Thomas Aquinas 38, DeSoto 8

3rd Quarter

INTERCEPTION! DeSoto takes a deep but Samari Howard, a Colorado commit comes down with it and returns it near midfield.

DeSoto is on the move again against Aquinas' second and third team units. For a running clock, things are moving extremely slow as we have another injury timeout.

After an Aquinas punt the two teams got into some extracurricular activity, but coaches and officials quickly restored order. Personal fouls were called on both teams and we have another timeout as they let things calm down. There is 1:55 to play in the third.

The running clock is still in effect, but we have another Aquinas player down with cramping, so we are again in an injury timeout with 4:53 left in the third.

DeSoto went for two after the timeout and Baker converted, to cut the Eagles deficit to 38-8.

Waiting on an injury timeout. We are in a running clock situation, but it is stopped for the injury with 6:31 left in the third quarter.

TOUCHDOWN! Sarod Baker carries it down to the one and pushes it across one play later and DeSoto is on the scoreboard.

The second half is underway and DeSoto makes a play on defense, as K'adrian Redmond comes up with an interception on the first series of third quarter, near the Aquinas 20. A personal foul penalty, moments later makes it 1st and goal.

HALFTIME: St. Thomas Aquinas 38, DeSoto 0

2nd Quarter

Blake Calixte to Juius Jones for another TD. Aquinas now leads 38-0. Comes with 19 seconds left.

1:30 to play in the 2nd quarter, Zayden Gamble returns a DeSoto punt 60 yards for a St. Thomas Aquinas touchdown. PAT good. 31-0, St. Thomas Aquinas.

1st & 10 for St. Thomas Aquinas from the DeSoto 14 yard line after the turnover, RB Collin Francis 14-yard rushing touchdown. PAT good. 24-0 St. Thomas Aquinas, 4:27 to play 2nd quarter.

3rd & 21 for DeSoto from their own 24 yard line, RB SaRod Baker fumbles looking to throw on a double pass, St. Thomas Aquinas DB Andre Jones with the forced fumble. St. Thomas Aquinas starts at the DeSoto 14 yard line, 4:35 to play 2nd quarter.

6:20 to play 2nd quarter, ensuing St. Thomas Aquinas kickoff sails out of bounds. DeSoto's drive begins at their own 35 yard line with the penalty.

4th & 8 from the DeSoto 16 for St. Thomas Aquinas, 33-yard field goal from Kyle Infante is good inside the right upright. 17-0 St. Thomas Aquinas, 6:20 to play 2nd quarter.

3rd & 8 from the DeSoto 16 for St. Thomas Aquinas, pass attempt from Calixe to Thomas falls incomplete in the endzone. 6:25 to play, 2nd quarter. 14-0 St. Thomas Aquinas.

3rd & 13 for St. Thomas Aquinas from their own 45, 1st down picked up on the reception by Julius Jones Jr. down to the DeSoto 32 yard line. 8:10 to play 2nd quarter.

On 4th & 2, DeSoto punts. Punt fielded at the St. Thomas Aquinas 47 yard line, Zayden Gamble returns the punt 53 yards for a touchdown. Personal foul, blindside block called against St. Thomas Aquinas, negating the touchdown return. Drive will start at the St. Thomas Aquinas 35 yard line. 10:52 to play, 2nd quarter.

4th & 2 for DeSoto from their own 28, timeout DeSoto called by Claude Mathis. 11:10 to play 2nd quarter.

3rd & 6 for DeSoto from their own 24 to start the 2nd quarter.

1st Quarter

End 1st quarter: St. Thomas Aquinas 14, DeSoto 0.

St. Thomas Aquinas CB Jaden Carey pick-six down the right sideline, PAT good, 14-0 St. Thomas Aquinas, 0:52 to play 1st quarter.

1:19 to play 1st quarter, hydration timeout, 7-0 St. Thomas Aquinas.

3rd & 11 for DeSoto, RB SaRod Baker 13 yard gain to the DeSoto 23 yard line for a 1st down. 2:00 to play 1st quarter.

2nd & 10 for DeSoto from their own 8, RB SaRod Baker tackled for loss by DE Wyatt Smith back to the 7 yard line, loss of 1.

3rd & 17 for St. Thomas Aquinas, DeSoto's Khing Thibodeaux massive tackle for no gain. St. Thomas Aquinas forced to punt, ball downed at the DeSoto 7, 4:07 to play 1st quarter.

1st & 10 for St. Thomas Aquinas after a first down picked up by Julius Jones Jr., DeSoto's Khing Thibodeaux big tackle for loss to bring up 2nd & 17 for St. Thomas Aquinas back to their own 41. 5:14 to play in the 1st quarter.

3rd & 5 for DeSoto from their own 35 yard line. RB SaRod Baker is stuffed for a loss of one, Eagles punt on 4th and 6. St. Thomas Aquinas starts 1st & 10 from their own 38 with 6:48 to play in the 1st quarter.

1st & 10 for St. Thomas Aquinas at their own 43. RB Tyler Reid goes 57 yards for a touchdown on the Raiders' first play from scrimmage, putting St. Thomas Aquinas up 7-0 with the PAT. 10:17 1st quarter.

3rd & 14 on DeSoto's inagural drive, SaRod Baker stopped on a screen pass after a gain of 10. Punt muffed by St. Thomas Aquinas, but the Raiders recover at their own 43. 10:32 to play in the 1st quarter.

DeSoto is decked out in all white with gold helmets on the road

St. Thomas Aquinas is dressed in gold lids, navy jerseys and gold pants

Kickoff at 7:59PM E.T.

Two of the nation's premier high school football programs — and two of its most talent-rich states — collide Saturday in Fort Lauderdale.

No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas hosts No. 15 DeSoto in a nationally ranked matchup between programs that have combined to win 11 state championships since 2016.

DeSoto arrives from Texas as the defending UIL Class 6A Division II champion, while St. Thomas Aquinas has won seven consecutive Florida state championships. The matchup also features some of the country's top recruits, led by DeSoto running back SaRod Baker and St. Thomas Aquinas offensive lineman Mark Matthews.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN2.

What: No. 15 DeSoto (Texas) at No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida)
When: Saturday, Aug. 29
Time: 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT
Where: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
TV: ESPN2

DeSoto Brings Texas Dynasty to Florida

DeSoto arrives in Florida as one of Texas' dominant programs of the past decade. The Eagles have won four Class 6A state championships since 2016, including three since Claude Mathis returned as head coach in 2019.

The latest championship came last season, and although DeSoto lost several prominent players — including USC freshman receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster — the Eagles return one of the country's most productive running backs.

SaRod Baker gives St. Thomas Aquinas' defense its biggest challenge. The 2027 Texas Tech commit rushed 345 times for 3,206 yards and 43 touchdowns in 16 games last season, averaging 9.3 yards per carry while helping lead DeSoto to the Class 6A Division II championship.

The Eagles also boast Texas Tech defensive tackle commit K’Adrian Redmond, who is among the state’s top interior defensive linemen. Meanwhile, Penn State pledge and defensive Swiss Army Knife Dillon McGhee will anchor the secondary after moving in from Red Oak (TX). With DeSoto moving down to Class 5A Division I after UIL realignment in February. Following UIL realignment, DeSoto moves to Class 5A Division I this season and enters the year as one of the classification's leading championship contenders.

38 carries. 384 yards. 7 touchdowns. 🤯

2027 @FootballDesoto RB SaRod Baker (@SaRodBaker12) powered the Eagles to a regional title yesterday in Waco with a LEGENDARY performance.

Full story:https://t.co/NoUhL5jMM7 pic.twitter.com/cAKws0rlpN
— Dave Campbell's Texas Sports (@dctf) December 7, 2025

St. Thomas Aquinas Brings Seven-Year Title Streak

St. Thomas Aquinas is home to one of the top programs in Florida (17 Florida State Championships) and the Nation (three National Titles). In fact, the Raiders are on an unprecedented run in The Sunshine State, winning the state title every year since 2019, an FHSAA record. St. Thomas Aquinas is a national brand of its own under the direction of Roger Harriott, who was named the 2025 National Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association. Harriott, who arrived at St. Thomas Aquinas in 2015, is only the second coach in program history to achieve the aforementioned honor (George Smith, 2010).

🔹🔶VICTORY🔶🔹

STA 4️⃣1️⃣
Western 🍩#Amen #FFTE #YouGoWeGo @CoachHarriott pic.twitter.com/H50lO8YsxZ
— Aquinas Football (@STA_Football) August 22, 2026

St. Thomas Aquinas' talent starts in the trenches. Texas A&M commit Mark Matthews anchors the offensive line, while four-star Ohio State commit Wyatt Smith gives the Raiders a major presence off the edge defensively.

In last week’s rout over Western, the Raiders wasted no time putting up fireworks, with three-star defensive back and Colorado commit Samari Howard housing an interception on the game’s very first play.

FIRST PLAY. PICK SIX.

Samari Howard takes it to the crib! Raiders lead 7-0 pic.twitter.com/L7RybTf8Lq
— Aquinas Football (@STA_Football) August 21, 2026

Howard is joined in the secondary by future Notre Dame safety Zayden Gamble, who ranks among the best in the Class of 2027.

Senior wide receiver Julius Jones Jr., one of the country's top receiving prospects, committed to Notre Dame in June. Jones is a Notre Dame legacy and the son of former Irish All-American and NFL running back Julius Jones.

His younger brother, 2028 four-star safety Andre Jones, adds even more talent to a secondary that also includes Notre Dame commit Zayden Gamble.

The Matchup: SaRod Baker vs. St. Thomas Aquinas' Defense

Saturday’s tilt will provide both teams with a benchmark of where they stand against high-level talent, as two premier powerhouse go toe-to-toe in Fort Lauderdale. DeSoto will begin its quest for a third Texas UIL State Championship in the last four years, while St. Thomas Aquinas will have the chance to prove once again why they are the team of record in Florida.

The two teams kick off Saturday, Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in a game that carries more weight than just the average early-year measuring stick.

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