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Viera (Fla.) vs. (15) St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Friday, 7 p.m. Eastern timeWhy it's big: Viera – a program with virtually no postseason history prior to this season – takes on eight-time state champion St. Thomas Aquinas for the 7A title.
This is, to say the least, uncharted territory for Viera. The Hawks lost their only other playoff game by 48 points last season, but now are only one win from a state title in year nine of varsity football. They dropped four of their first seven games this season – including a loss against No. 4 Allen (Texas) – but carry a seven-game winning streak and 10-4 overall record into Friday night's game.
No. 15 St. Thomas Aquinas also has seven consecutive wins after an upset loss to Deerfield Beach in early October. The Raiders (12-1) are trying for their fourth state title in the last six seasons – with three different head coaches at the helm.
Names to watch: Viera quarterback
Hayden Kingston leads Florida with 3,659 passing yards. The senior has completed 65 percent of his passes and has 39 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
St. Thomas Aquinas – the high school with the most NFL Draft picks during the last two decades – continues to build its reputation as a producer of big-time talent. The Raiders have at least 26 players on the roster with FBS scholarship offers, including
Trevon Grimes, rated the nation's top receiver in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports.
Photos by MaxPreps photographers / Graphic by Ryan Escobar
