Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Chaminade-Madonna Captures FHSAA Class 1A Title

     The Chaminade-Madonna Lions continued their dynasty with a 42-7 victory over the Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders in the FHSAA Class 1A state championship from South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium on the Florida International University campus on Wednesday night. It was the first contest played this week in the FHSAA Football Finals. A high school football state title game has not happened at FIU since 2005 and in Dade County since 2006. 
     The Lions captured their fourth consecutive state championship. They won their past three state crowns versus the Marauders. Chaminade-Madonna made it seven championships in the last eight years and chalked up their ninth state title overall. The Lions made their state-record ninth consecutive appearance in the state finals.
     Chaminade-Madonna(13-2) took a 7-0 lead on their first possession just seven plays into the contest at the 9:58 mark of the opening quarter. Running back Derrek Cooper sprinted up the middle on a 52-yard touchdown run. 
     In the second quarter, the Lions extended their lead to 14-0 with 7:00 remaining. Quarterback Tyson Chance connected a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Koby Howard on the right sideline. 
     In the second half, Chaminade-Madonna scored on their first drive with 5:32 to go in the second quarter for a 21-0 advantage. Wide receiver Denairius Gray caught a 20-yard pass on the right side from Chance. 
     Clearwater Central Catholic(12-3) was driving deep into enemy territory on their next possession. Quarterback Khayse Barrett fumbled the ball and Lions defensive back Leonzay Merzius returned it 78 yards for a touchdown to give them a 28-0 lead with 2:36 left in the third. 
     The Marauders broke the shutout at the 9:02 mark of the fourth quarter and they trailed 28-7. Running back Keo Jenkins plunged up the middle from one yard away. 
     The Lions expanded it to 35-7 with 4:45 remaining in the fourth. Chance threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jasen Lopez on the right side of the end zone. 
     After the Marauders lost the ball on downs, it would become 42-7 for Chaminade-Madonna with 2:58 left in the game. Running back Camari Hall rushed through the right side of the line from 30 yards out. 

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