The St. Thomas Aquinas High School's football team recently announced its new motto, 'Church Gang,' that the team will reportedly use in their next games. The Catholic school is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a few miles away from Miami. 

St. Thomas' Raiders Team, a.k.a. 'Church Gang'

Scorebook Live recently interviewed the St. Thomas Aquinas High School football coach Roger Harriott about the new things coming to his team. This year, the coach said that the team will practice a 'new spiritual slogan' called the 'Church Gang.' 

As explained by Coach Harriott, the new slogan will have 'prayer hands as a symbol.' He said that the team's strength in their past games is not just God but the team's camaraderie. He also added that his players are "full of spirit and are excited for another opportunity."

Coach Harriott pointed out that the 'Church Gang' maintains the principle of being modest and grounded to all its players. This was despite the modern age of technology, which reportedly created additional challenges for most high school football teams. 

Meanwhile, senior safety King Mack showed support for their new slogan. He said in the interview that the idea of a 'Church Gang' slogan came from the fact that a Catholic church leads the school. 

King Mack further noted that although they are Christians playing football, they must 'add a little swag' since they came from Florida— which is the story behind the word 'Gang' on the name. 

"We put Church Gang together. Basically, it means, we don't go out there to hurt opponent. We bless them. But we bless them nicely," Mack stated. 

In his interview, he also showed appreciation for Coach Harriott, describing him as a 'one of a kind' coach that teaches a 'rare' program in training his players. 

The St. Thomas Aquinas football team, also called the Raiders team, has recently won against Tampa Bay Tech. As reported, the team may soon be recognized as one of the 'four-peated' schools once they win their next games. 

So far, Florida has only five football teams that have won in a four-peat, including the Suwannee Live Oak from 1987 to 1990, Jacksonville Trinity Christian from 2013 to 2016, Miami Central from 2012 to 2015, Tallahassee North Florida Christian from 1998 to 2001, and Miami Booker T. Washington from 2012 to 2015. 

St. Thomas Aquinas High School History, First Raiders Team

As per its website, the St. Thomas Aquinas High School started its operations with 12 students in 1936. After four years, the Catholic school was able to get more students, which comprised the first graduates of the school.

With its motto, 'Not for school but for life we learn,' St. Thomas has been known due to its sports activities since the beginning. In 1946, the Raiders' football team was first established. 

One of the most memorable plays of the Raiders happened in 1979 when the team reportedly defeated Cardinal Gibbons. At the time, the school was also officially recognized with the National Merit Scholars. 

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