The Pine Raiders kicked off their 2025 football season in impressive fashion with a convincing 37-14 victory over the St. Thomas Aquinas Falcons on Thursday evening.
Pine wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. A Falcons miscue in the end zone resulted in a fumble recovery touchdown, giving the Raiders a 7-0 lead with 8:27 left in the first quarter. Later in the quarter, Isaiah Matthews found the end zone on a 12-yard run, stretching the lead to 14-0.
The Raider defense added to the momentum in the second quarter when a high snap on a Falcons punt attempt went out of the back of the end zone for a safety, putting Pine up 16-0. Quarterback Trey Knight then connected with Tyre Benard on a touchdown pass to make it 23-0 at the half.
Coming out of the break, Pine delivered an immediate strike. On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Delvonta Gardner raced 27 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 30-0.
The Falcons responded with a two-yard touchdown run midway through the third to cut the deficit to 30-7, but the Raiders answered right back. Matthews broke free for a 38-yard score-his second of the night-to push the lead to 37-7.
St. Thomas Aquinas added a late touchdown on a six-yard run with just over three minutes left to bring the final score to 37-14.
Despite the big win, head coach Bradley Seal emphasized the importance of improvement moving forward. "We did what we wanted to do, start the season 1-0 and we were able to get some of our young guys some good reps," said Seal. "I do think our focus and attention to detail needs to be better at times. Our schedule is going to get tougher over the next couple of weeks and we have to clean up our mistakes."
With the win, Pine begins the season at 1-0 and will return to action Friday night at home against Independence.
Quarterback Trey Knight was 5 of 11 passing for 80 yards with one interception. Delvonta Gardner caught two for 37 yards, Gary Brumfield had one for 6, Tyre Benard had one for 33 and Braxton Newman had one for 4 yards. Chris Williams rushed 7 times for 111 yards. Braxton Newman rushed five times for 18 yards, Brady Ryals rushed three times for 31, Isaiah Matthews went four times for 69 yards and two touchdowns and Delvonta Gardner rushed once for 27 yards. Quarterback Cooper Thomas passed once for 17 yards to Brady Ryals.
The Raiders will play Independence at home on Friday.
