St. Thomas Aquinas routs Viera, 45-10, to capture Florida Class 7A crown

Video: Highlights of Aquinas receiver Trevon Grimes

Behind an explosive offense and a suffocating defense, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) rolled to its ninth state title on Friday night, blasting Viera 45-10 in the Florida Class 7A state title game at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Aquinas rushed for three first-half touchdowns -- two from Jaxson Kincaide and another from James Charles -- and quarterback Jake Allen connected with Sam Bruce on a 30-yard score as Aquinas raced out to a 28-3 halftime lead.

The second half was more of the same, as Aquinas simply outmatched Viera, which at one point this season had a 3-4 record before rattling off seven consecutive wins to earn a berth in the Class 7A final. Aquinas received another touchdown run and a defensive touchdown to put away Viera. A field goal stretched the lead to 45-3. A late Viera touchdown brought the score to 45-10.

It was another impressive season for Aquinas, one of the country's most accomplished high school football programs. It notched victories over Florida Class 4A state champion Booker T. Washington, Class 8A finalist Flanagan, and traditional powers Miramar and Dwyer.

If not for a 6-3 loss to Deerfield Beach, it would be in the discussion for yet another mythical national title.

This year's title is the first at Aquinas for first-year head coach Roger Harriott, an Aquinas graduate who built up nearby University School into a powerhouse program before making the jump to the collegiate coaching ranks.

While the Raiders lose a star-studded group of seniors that includes Bruce, Nick Bosa and Michael Irvin II, they will return a solid nucleus of talent in 2016. Allen, a Florida commit, will be back behind center. Trevon Grimes, a coveted wide receiver, also returns.