The St. Thomas Academy defense repeatedly set the table Friday night, and Dominic Baez and the offense took advantage.

Baez, a senior running back, rushed for a 2-yard touchdown in the first half and caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in the second as the Cadets downed Cretin-Derham Hall 27-14 in the season opener for both teams at TCO Stadium in Eagan.

St. Thomas Academy set the tone defensively from the start, keeping the pressure on Cretin-Derham Hall senior quarterback Izaak Johnson in the first half and furnishing the Cadets’ offense with ideal field position.

A big sack and fumble on the game’s opening drive forced the Raiders to punt from their own 13, and an ensuing penalty allowed St. Thomas Academy to start at the Cretin-Derham Hall 24.

The Cadets didn’t miss a beat, moving into

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