Raiders Rally Late to Shock Lions in Thrilling South Florida Showdown

Raiders Rally Late to Shock Lions in Thrilling South Florida Showdown

In a thrilling battle on the gridiron, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders, ranked No. 8, edged past the Chaminade-Madonna Lions, ranked No. 10, with a narrow 27-21 victory in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on the night of October 31, 2025. Chaminade-Madonna started strong, taking early leads of 7-0, 14-7, and 21-14, showing off their prowess with freshman quarterback Malik Leonard, who has been a standout, throwing 20 touchdowns this season with only three interceptions, as noted by AL.com.

Things took a turn when St. Thomas Aquinas forced an interception from Leonard, allowing Duke Daley to score his second touchdown, leveling the game at 21-21. The Raiders didn’t stop there; they quickly capitalized on the momentum shift. After recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Johnny DiSalvatore booted a 38-yard field goal, putting the Raiders ahead 24-21. The Lions‘ hope flickered in the fourth quarter when their attempt at a 48-yard field goal was blocked, sealing their fate. In a final push, St. Thomas Aquinas added a 28-yard field goal to wrap up the game at 27-21, according to Sporting News.

Preparation for Playoffs

This contest was a crucial matchup as both teams gear up for the Florida FHSAA playoffs. St. Thomas Aquinas aims to defend its Class 5A title while Chaminade-Madonna has its sights set on defending the Class 1A title. This game marked a noteworthy encounter, being only the second meeting between these two high schools since 1981, with Chaminade-Madonna having won the previous matchup.

Chaminade-Madonna boasts a season record of 7-1, while St. Thomas Aquinas holds an 8-1 record, having scored 341 points this season while allowing just 99. Both teams, after suffering opening game losses, have proven to be formidable opponents. The talent on the field was abundant; approximately 65 players in this game have Division I offers, including five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews from St. Thomas Aquinas and Jasen Lopez, a Florida State commit playing wide receiver for Chaminade-Madonna, as highlighted by AL.com.

Excitement in the Air

The atmosphere during the game was electric, with fans cheering passionately on both sides. Football here is more than just a game; it’s a community event, a chance for local families to come together and show support for their teams. With so much talent on display and both squads being unbeaten since their initial season-opening defeats, it truly was an unforgettable night. The match kicked off at 7 p.m. ET, and for those unable to attend, it was broadcast live on the NFHS Network, bringing the high school football action right into homes across the state.

As the playoffs loom on the horizon, both teams have much to prove, and the excitement is palpable. With performances like these, the 2025 Florida high school football season is shaping up to be one for the ages.