The power of Inspiration:STA's win over Manatee

Fear, Inspiration ,Victory



Aquinas QuarterBack John O'Korn

All of these words are part of a winning process. It is the fear of feeling failure that drives us to go just a little harder in the weight room or watch an extra hour of film. When the lights come on and you are wearing your schools colors on your jersey that should make you want to play inspired football for 4 quarters. If you can execute better then the opposition then you will be known as winners and that tittle lasts a lifetime. As athletes whether you admit it or not we all fear losing even though We don't want to feel it or be associated with that result. Coming in to last Friday nights game against the number one team in High school football team in the nation St. Thomas Aquinas was a 21 point underdog at home vs undefeated Manatee High School. Many expected a blowout but when the lights were on and the coin was flipped it was time to play football.

Manatees 25 game win streak was on the line and little did they know that they were about to be punched in the mouth and ran out the building. They took a 3-0 lead on STA and would never see it again. Senior Running Back #28 Fred Coppet would rush for 7 of his 131 yards on a touchdown in the 1^st quarter to give Aquinas a 7-3 lead. After a missed Manatee Field goal University of Houston Commit John O'Korn ran in for a 3 yard TD giving the Raiders a 14-3 lead. When he got the ball back later in the 3^rd he hit Wide Receiver Dion Collier on a 38-yard strike for a Touchdown it was now 21-3. The feeling at Brian Piccalo Field from fans was a  “Get your knifes and pitchforks out” mentality. They knew it, STA players knew it and Manatee knew it. The game would end in a 33-18 blowout (and not the one at the barbershop) of Manatee.

They had overcame doubt and proved the experts wrong. They had displayed the fear and or hatred for losing, Played inspired football for 4 quarters which in turn lead to a Victory. With that win they are now scheduled to play Lincoln High School in the Florida High School State Championship game. Shout out and good luck to ST. Thomas Aquinas.