Pine’s Raiders played well at times Thursday night, but eventually fell to the undefeated St. Thomas Aquinas Falcons by a 42-0 score.

Aquinas scored on its opening possession and led 21-0 at halftime, but the Raiders’ defense made the Falcons work for their points.

In one first-quarter possession, Aquinas running back Brad Lewis was held to 1 yard on four carries, and the Raiders forced the Falcons into a fourth-and-38 before a punt. Pine also forced a three-and-out in the Falcons’ second possession of the second quarter.

“I thought our defense played pretty well at times,” Pine coach Bradley Seal said. “You just can’t leave your defense out on the field all game long against a good team. Our offense needed to do more tonight.

“We moved the ball down the field well at times, but we could just never cash it in.”
Pine’s best opportunity to score arguably came on its first possession of the second half. The Raiders opened their drive on their own 24-yard line, and Adarrius Berry carried for a 2-yard gain.

On the next play, quarterback Joey Seal connected with Lowell Pittman for a 42-yard reception down to the Aquinas 32. Seal passed to Pittman again on the next play, moving the ball down to the Falcons’ 19.

The drive stalled from there, as the Raiders were eventually unable to convert a fourth-and-15 from the Aquinas 24.

Aquinas quarterback Cameron Dantzler, a Mississippi State commitment, finished with two passing touchdowns and also had a 52-yard touchdown run. Dantzler will likely play cornerback or safety in college.

Pine trailed 7-0 after one quarter, and 35-0 after three quarters.

“They’re 10-0 for a reason,” Seal said, of Aquinas. “They’ve got one of the best players of the country (in Dantzler). They’re going to make some noise in the playoffs.”