Aquinas began defense of its Class 5A state title with a first-round playoff win Friday night at home over Topeka Highland Park, 63-0.
The Saints led, 49-0, at halftime.
Aquinas next faces St. James at home on Friday at 7 p.m. The Saints defeated the Thunder, 28-21, in Week 6. St. James won its first-round game over Leavenworth, 27-14.
"I'm pleased with how we conducted ourselves in the first round against Highland Park," said fifth-year coach Randy Dreiling. "Now it's time to take the next step. The team is looking forward to the opportunity to play St. James again."
Aquinas recovered a Highland Park fumble on the opening kickoff. On the next play Tyron "Tank" Young ran 17 yards for a touchdown.
The ensuing series Highland Park gained a first down but punted.
Young then ran the ball three times, the third for a touchdown of 23 yards.
After another Highland Park punt, Young ran for a 57-yard touchdown on Aquinas's first play.
Charlie McCormick then ran for a touchdown, followed by James Jarrett running for two touchdowns on two plays, one of 33 yards and the second of 67 yards.
Mason Ross rounded out the first-half scoring with a five-yard touchdown run and a 49-0 lead.
Jacob Bittner ran for a 93-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Brock Kluembers ran for a 32-yard score in the fourth quarter.
Fourteen players had a carry for the Saints.
Thirty-one players registered on the defensive tackle chart.
"Just about everyone on the team got in the game, and that is a positive," said Dreiling. "The key now is to focus all of our efforts on doing our very best against St. James."
EKL Scores Last Week - First Round
Class 5A Playoffs
St. Thomas Aquinas 63, Topeka Highland Park 0
Mill Valley 52, Topeka West 0
St. James 27, Leavenworth 14
Blue Valley Southwest 31, Washington 6
Class 6A Playoffs
Shawnee Mission Northwest 56, Blue Valley Northwest 42
Blue Valley North 40, Shawnee Mission South 0
Blue Valley 45, Shawnee Mission East 14
Blue Valley West 46, Shawnee Mission West 20
Class 4A Playoffs
Bishop Miege 67, Labette County 13
Class 5A East
No. 1 De Soto 62, No. 16 KC Turner 22
No. 8 Shawnee Heights 7, No. 9 Lansing 0
No. 4 Mill Valley 52, No. 13 Topeka West 0
No. 5 Olathe West 49, No. 12 Topeka Seaman 28
No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas 63, No. 15 Topeka Highland Park 0
No. 7 St. James Academy 27, No. 10 Leavenworth 14
No. 14 Blue Valley Southwest 31, No. 3 KC Washington 6
No. 6 KC Schlagle 61, No. 11 KC Sumner Academy 13
EKL Schedule This Week - Regionals
Class 5A Playoffs
St. James at St. Thomas Aquinas
Olathe West at Mill Valley
Blue Valley Southwest at Schlagle
Class 6A Playoffs
Blue Valley North at Gardner-Edgerton
Blue Valley at Olathe East
Blue Valley West at Shawnee Mission Northwest
Class 4A Playoffs
Bonner Springs at Bishop Miege
