FORT LAUDERDALE — Cardinal Mooney wanted a chance to test their mettle against not only a top program in the state, but in the nation.

They got to do just that on Friday, Aug. 15, making the trip across Alligator Alley to take on St. Thomas Aquinas (No. 10 in the country, MaxPreps).

The Raiders came out on top of a defensive grudge match 22-14 after tallying five takeaways, and then forcing three-straight turnover on downs in the fourth quarter.

"I think that every day is the same for us," said head coach Jared Clark. "We try to get 1 percent better every day and continue to stack days win, lose, or draw. I do think that going against a team of this caliber, and our kids knowing that they can play with anyone in the country, that definitely helps us."

The Cougars, with freshman quarter

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