The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders, one of Florida’s most celebrated high school football programs, have announced their 2026 slate, a schedule that blends tradition with a marquee showdown against the nation’s top‑ranked Texas squad.
A Milestone Schedule
The centerpiece of the release is a clash with DeSoto, the No. 1 team in Texas, set to take place in a neutral venue that promises a national audience and a test of the Raiders’ championship pedigree.
Returning starters include Mark Matthews, Julius Jones and Zayden Gamble, who together accounted for a large portion of the team’s offensive firepower last season.
After finishing the previous year with a 14‑1 record, the Raiders captured the No. 8 spot in the national rankings and the No. 2 position within Florida, adding to a storied history of 17 state titles.
The 2026 calendar features a mix of regional rivals and out‑of‑state opponents, each chosen to sharpen the Raiders before the playoffs.
Fans across Broward, Miami‑Dade and Palm Beach counties will have multiple chances to see the team in action, with games scheduled in each of those counties.
The excitement is palpable, as alumni and current players alike speak of a renewed focus on maintaining the program’s elite status.