Lamarcus Joyner, Aquinas
Photo by Lou Novick
The fourth meeting ever between the top two nationally ranked teams in high school football pits No. 2 Byrnes-Duncan, S.C. (5-0) against No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas-Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (3-0) on Friday at 8 p.m. (EST) on ESPNU.
Here is the breakdown, Top 5 style.
Top 5 storylines
1. The obvious. The winner has an inside track for a mythical national championship.
2. Public versus private. While almost all the focus is on No. 1 versus No. 2, much of the country is pulling for Byrnes, a hometown, public school from the northern part of little South Carolina. St. Thomas, growing in stature by the minute, draws most of its athletes from talent-rich Broward County but has recently pulled athletes from even out of state.
3. Is Aquinas taking national reigns? Though high school football and sports in general are largely cyclical, certain schools have shown continued dominance. Oak Hill Academy (Va.) in basketball, for instance, and De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) in football. After sending 11 players to Division I programs last year and winning the national championship, Aquinas, with the talent base, resources and coaching cohesion in place, seems primed to be a perennial national power or even champion. Friday’s performance could answer a lot.
4. Lattimore’s legacy. Byrnes senior running back Marcus Lattimore is more than a special talent. 
Marcus Lattimore, Byrnes
File photo by Cecil Copeland
5. Palmetto power. South Carolina has already made a tremendous push in the national prep football scene. For years it was always John McKissick, the nation’s winningest coach from Summerville leading the charge. But with Byrnes’ recent success – six state titles in seven years and nine out-of-state wins in 10 tries – along with recent national-caliber seasons from Dorman (Roebeck), South Pointe (Rock Hill), Rock Hill and Gaffney, South Carolina is on the brink. A Byrnes victory on Friday would stamp the Palmetto state on the national prep football map.
Top 5 keys for Byrnes
1. Pounding the rock. Byrnes must control the clock with Lattimore getting 30-plus carries.
2. Containing the speed. Nobody in the country is faster than Aquinas. Byrnes isn’t slow, but keeping Aquinas’ two-headed speed-demon running tandem of Giovanni Bernard and James White off the edge is vital.
3. Getting ahead. You don’t want to fall behind and be forced to throw against the nation’s best secondary.
4. Staying poised. It’s going to be loud and foreign at Lockhart Stadium. The national TV lights will be bright. With Aquinas’ speed, games can get away quickly – see the Florida 5A state finals last year (Aquinas 56, Lakeland 7 – 42-0 at halftime). Stick to the game plan as long as possible.
5. Cause some mistakes. Byrnes must be on the plus-side in the turnover battle.
Top 5 keys for Aquinas
1. Stop Lattimore. Not only can the big back control the clock on the run, but he’s one of the nation’s best receivers out of the backfield. Great hands.
2. Put pressure on Chas Todd. When comfortable, the Rutgers-bound quarterback can pick you apart – 18 touchdowns, one interception proves that.
3. Ignore the home folk. Being home in front of 20,000 fans can be more distracting than being on the road. Byrnes will never stop coming, so don’t let off the gas.
4. Control the line. Byrnes' defensive front, led by Tennessee-bound ends Brandon Willis and Corey Miller, is as good as any in the country.
5. Take care of the ball. This could easily be the No. 1 factor. Some think as long as Aquinas doesn’t turn the ball over, nobody can beat them. That’s probably true.
Five players to watch
1. Giovanni Bernard (Aquinas, RB, 5-9, 198) – Not as highly recruited as Lattimore, but absolutely a dart in the open field. Fun to watch.
2. Marcus Lattimore (Byrnes, RB, 6-0, 210) - Who else? Count how many tackles he breaks.
3. Lamarcus Joyner (Aquinas, CB, 5-8, 166) – Might just be the best athlete on the field. He hits like a brick, covers like a glove and has a body like junior Mr. America.
4. Cory Riggs (Aquinas, CB, 5-8, 156) – The second part of Aquinas’ short but ultra-stout lockdown corner tandem. They are considered two of the three best in the country.
5. Brandon Linder (Aquinas, OL, 6-6, 290) – Watching how he and his linemen deal with Miller and Willis might not be as thrilling as watching the multiple athletes, but it will be probably more important in the outcome.
Five on the hot seat
1. Chas Todd (Byrnes QB, 5-11, 170) – Making correct reads and decisive throws against this secondary is a lot to shoulder.
2. Corey Miller (Brynes, DE, 6-4, 227) – Not only is he a major explosive talent and leads all players with eight sacks, but he originally committed to Florida State before changing to Tennessee. His "homecoming" will be interesting.
3. Jacob Rudock (Aquinas, QB, 6-3, 180) – In his first year as a starter, the junior hasn’t had to do much so far (27-of-41, 392 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception). The stakes are considerably higher.
4. Torian Richardson (Byrnes, WR, 5-10, 170) – With highly touted Nick Jones hurt all season – he could return Friday, however – Richardson must again step up. He’s done so thus far, averaging 22.7 yards per 15 receptions, with three touchdowns.
5. Mike Srock (Brynes strength and conditioning coach) – Sure, every coach in this one can feel the heat, but many eyes are on Srock because he’s coming home. He coached and worked 28 years in South Florida (1970 to 1998) before coming to Byrnes.
Aquinas takes the field before routing Cardinal Gibbons 35-7 last week.
Photo by Lou Novick
Check in later tonight after we attend both teams’ practices. We’ll have stories, photos and video.
