St. Thomas Aquinas has beaten Lakeland in the last two state championships by a combined score of 63-0.

The Dreadnaughts flipped the script in the first round of the Open Division with an overtime win over the Raiders, knocking off the No. 2 team in the country at home.

Lakeland took an early lead after scoring on the opening possession with a Kelin Hendrix keeper. Hendrix set up the short touchdown carry with a 48-yard keeper, a preview of things to come for the Dreadnaught offense. Back-to-back sacks forced a Raider punt on their first possession.

Lakeland football uses defense to pull off upset

Lakeland's defensive effort proved to be the difference against St. Thomas Aquinas. The Raiders' have had issues moving the ball this year, and those issues reared their ugly heads against a sweltering Dreadnaught front. Lakeland came up with three takeaways on defense, and a fourth on special teams.

All told, the Dreadnaughts tallied at least six sacks as a team while holding the Raiders to around 100 rushing yards as a team.

Zayden Gamble got St. Thomas Aquinas on the board with a punt return touchdown, then added a 54-yard touchdown catch on a busted coverage that gave the Raiders a 14-7 lead at the start of the second half. Lakeland responded with a gritty, hardnosed drive capped off with a 28-yard touchdown tun from Hendrix.

A short touchdown carry from Ahnarri Cooper gave Lakeland a 21-14 advantage, and the Dreadnaught recovered the ensuing kickoff with just over five minutes to play. The Raiders held Lakeland to a 37-yard field goal attempt which as well short, and they got the ball back on their own 20-yard line with just over three minutes to play.

St. Thomas Aquinas' last-minute comeback falls short

The Raiders marched down the field behind some big passes from Blake Calixte, and a few quarterback keepers from Jase Watkins got the Raiders at the 1-yard line. With 37 second left in regulation, Watkins punched in the equalizer.

Lakeland's defense rose to the occasion when the Dreadnaught needed them most. The Raiders' overtime possession resulted in a field goal after Lakeland got two tackles for loss and a sack.

Cue Hendrix, who found Joseph Howard in the corner of the endzone for the game winner.