Not many high school football programs get the chance of a lifetime that No. 16 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders gets when they take the field today across the pond to take on the NFL Academy. The Raiders face off against the NFL Academy at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England in what is a highly anticipated matchup […]
Not many high school football programs get the chance of a lifetime that No. 16 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders gets when they take the field today across the pond to take on theNFL Academy.
The Raiders face off against the NFL Academy at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England in what is a highly anticipated matchup between the two high school football programs.
St. Thomas Aquinas, a program steeped with rich high school football tradition with 16 Florida state championships to its name and are gunning for a seventh in a row this December. The Raiders boast an impressive array of college-bound stars, including five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews and four-star wide receiverJulius Jones.
NFL Academy Players to Watch
TE Vili Haapasalo: A big, able bodied target in the NFL Academy’s offense is Haapasalo, who at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, should be a go-to when the London-based team is in the redzone.
OL Niko Kampas: The 6-foot-7, 270-pound offensive lineman anchors one side of the NFL Academy’s front. Kampas recently received an offer from Tennessee, among his many suitors.
RB Andrew Gomon: Gomon had a huge 2024 season, only playing in eight games but rushed for 1,088 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Watch out for the 5-foot-9, 187-pound tailback up against St. Thomas Aquinas’ stout defensive front.
LB Moritz Strempel: Coming from Germany, Strempel can either play down in the box at linebacker or out in the defensive secondary as a strong safety. Strempel has shown the ability to come off the edge and create havoc against strong competition.
WR Stan Pichon: A Class of 2028 prospect, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound wide receiver hails from Belgium and is one of the NFL Academy’s top pass catchers heading into today’s contest.
Raiders to Watch
QB Mason Mallory: The senior southpaw quarterback has settled into the starting role for the Raiders a year after leading West Boca Raton to a state championship. Mallory this season has completed 56 passes for 718 yards and 10 touchdowns. Also watch out for Mallory running the ball as he’s rushed for 237, good for second on the team.
S Zayden Gamble: The four-star prospect is ranked as the No. 186 overall prospect and No. 20 safety in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Gamble holds a host of offers from power programs, including Florida, Miami, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
WR Julius Jones: The 5-foot-11, 160-pound junior is entering his third year starting for the Raiders. This season, Jones has caught 21 passes for 350 yards and eight touchdowns. He holds dozens of power conference offers from programs such as Florida, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon.
OT Mark Matthews: The highest-ranked prospect on the field will be playing for the Raiders, as Matthews is No. 3 overall in the Rivals Industry Rankings for the junior class. Matthews is the anchor of the St. Thomas Aquinas offensive line at 6-foot-5, 300-pounds and leading an offense that’s averaging 46 points per game.
EDGE Daniel Norman: The future Oklahoma Sooner has logged 20 tackles and this season for the Raiders. Norman is ranked as the No. 50 edge prospect in the senior class by the Rivals Industry Rankings.
How to Watch the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders vs. NFL Academy Football Game
Date: Today, October 8
Time: 12:20 p.m. ET
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England
Livestream: YouTube
How to Follow the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders vs. NFL Academy Football Game
For high school football fans, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.
Category: Football
