Cardinal Mooney, St. Thomas Aquinas to square off in a 2025 preseason kickoff classic

[gatorman001]

https://www.si.com/high-school/flor...8lwnSdxCHV5Y67PpQM_aem_m_GM6Ou_VgQZYYsLc6iLTg

 

[Fla2014]

Heck of a matchup. Can't wait for this one. I think this will prepare CM for a long playoff run and possibly a state championship.

 

[MarkECannon]

That should be a fun trip for the Cougars until the game starts. That’s my first reaction. I saw Aquinas play in the kickoff classic jamboree at Bishop Verot last year. They steamrolled both of their opponents. What is Cardinal Mooney’s team looking like this year?

 

[gatorman001]

Cardinal Mooney has several highly-regarded football prospects, particularly in the class of 2026. Notable players include four-star defensive lineman Elijah Golden, who transferred from IMG Academy. Additionally, IOL Da'Ron Parks, also a four-star recruit, is a standout player. Other prospects like Laron Dues, a cornerback, have also received interest from Division I programs. The program already had several D-1 prospects from last years team. In as far as the Bishop Verot comparison, Mooney defeated Verot as I recalled twice last year both times by double digit margins.

Here's a more detailed look:

• Elijah Golden:
  A 6'4", 260-pound defensive lineman from King George, VA, Golden is a top prospect in the class of 2026, with offers from numerous universities. He transferred to Cardinal Mooney from IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Golden is known for his pass rush ability and his strength against double teams.
  
  
• Da'Ron Parks:
  A 6-foot-5, 300-pound IOL (Inside Offensive Lineman), Parks is a highly-rated recruit in the class of 2026. He has also been invited to the Under Armour All-America game.
  
  
• Laron Dues:
  A cornerback from the class of 2026, Dues has received an offer from Arizona, indicating his potential as a D-1 prospect.

 

[MarkECannon]

Those are some impressive prospects. Cardinal Mooney has raised its status quite a bit which appears to be attracting them. The 2025 Aquinas team does not appear to be one of its best. You could say that about last years team which still won a state championship(I still cringe because Manatee came soooo close to defeating them in their semifinal). Here is a very early poll of national rankings and the top 160 state prospects in Florida. Cardinal Mooney has more prospects than STA but gets no mention in the poll.

2025 Way-too-early Top 25 national high school football rankings: Mater Dei leads the pack

Bishop Gorman and St. Frances Academy follow the Monarchs at No. 2-3, respectively

www.si.com

2026 Top Football Recruits in Florida

The 247Sports rankings are determined by our recruiting analysts after countless hours of personal observations, film evaluation and input from our network of scouts.

247sports.com

 

[gatorman001]

I menioned not long after they won the state title, that if the administraion at Cardinal Mooney deicded to pu its available resources ino football....Cardinal Mooney was a state football power in waiting. I believe the coaching staff which includes its head coach is tha good! The fact Mooney isnt getting any respect is a testement to how far out of touch the beat writers are, in as far as understanding the Florida High School landscape in the Manatee/Sarasota area. It would be nice seeing Peacock not having the death grip on all the Sarasota County talent.

Manatee certainly had STA on the ropes last year, if not for the injury to Smith.....I believe Manatee was in a great position to do that. Im still questioning why Manatee, didnt put Venice and/or Cardinal Mooney on its schedule this year..........

 

[MarkECannon]

Changing the subject, Gatorman, did you see IMG is going to formally announce their new head football coach today? He has an extensive resume. Not sure what he has been doing since 2001.

IMG Academy Announces Greg Studrawa as New National Football Team Head Coach

BRADENTON, Fla. (April 14, 2025) – IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, has announced Greg Studrawa as the new National Football Team head coach. Studrawa is an accomplished and experienced football coach with more than 25 years at top college football programs – including...

www.imgacademy.com

 

[gatorman001]

Changing the subject, Gatorman, did you see IMG is going to formally announce their new head football coach today? He has an extensive resume. Not sure what he has been doing since 2001.

IMG Academy Announces Greg Studrawa as New National Football Team Head Coach

BRADENTON, Fla. (April 14, 2025) – IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, has announced Greg Studrawa as the new National Football Team head coach. Studrawa is an accomplished and experienced football coach with more than 25 years at top college football programs – including...

www.imgacademy.com

I thought about you, because you and I had talked about it a month or so ago. Looks like a quality guy! I was wrong about it going to be the "White" headcoach.