It had been 43 years since Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas met on the football field.
Last Friday night – with the rain covering south Florida, the “Football Gods” made sure that the weather wouldn’t interfere with the battle between two schools who are not only recognized statewide, but nationally – where each has been among the best in country.
Playing nearly 30 miles from their respective campuses, the Lions and Raiders battled to the end at Florida International University’s Pitbull Stadium in Miami.
The 29-22 win by Chaminade-Madonna, which had been missing key starters, was satisfying to head coach Dameon Jones, who recognized this matchup as one of the best anywhere in the country.
“Between the two schools you have nine state titles in the past six years, a game like this only enhances what we have to offer high school football,” he pointed out. “The players, coaches and teams deserve games like this. We need to be proud of the hard work that goes on here and with Roger Harriott and his staff.”
Over the past decade, there has been plenty of talk about getting these schools together on the football field, and with both being members of the Broward County Athletic Association now, this will not be the last time.
But to be honest an up front, for most of those 43 years that the two schools hadn’t played, St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2) was dominant – with state and national titles. The Lions made a national splash with Mark Guandolo and then with Jones over the past decade.
Even though the Lions lost their opener to the No. 2 team (St. John Bosco, California) in the nation in the Broward National Football Showcase by a touchdown and were upset by Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, this is a team that has set a record as they look to advance to their ninth consecutive state title game under Jones. They are the favorites in 1A.
It's the same story for St. Thomas, who dropped their Broward County National Showcase contest by a touchdown to the No. 4 team in the country – Las Vegas Bishop Gorman. This team has won five straight state titles and are favorites to return to the championship game in 5A.
GROUND GAME WAS THE KEY
With mid-season transfer Bekkem Kritza still learning the offense, the 6-2 Lions went to a running game that piled up over 300 yards with Camari Hall and nationally rated junior Derrek Cooper leading the way with a defense that kept the high-scoring Raiders in check.
Cooper was the MVP of the game – playing on both sides of the ball and on special teams. The Raiders also came up with some big plays as well.
In addition to that huge matchup, here is a look at the other games in the abbreviated schedule:
Hialeah 52, Hialeah 2
Hialeah Gardens 24, Doral Ronald Reagan 12
Homestead South Dade 49, Miami High 7
Miami Belen Jesuit 36, South Miami 0
Miami Christopher Columbus 33, Coral Gables 0
Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 48, Westland Hialeah 6
Miami Gulliver Prep 40, Somerset Silver Palms 7
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 14, Miami Springs 0
Miami Northwestern 50, Key West 14
Miami Westminster Christian 24, North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 8
MIAMI-DADE/BROWARD INFORMATION YEAR-ROUND. https://larryblustein.com/
For the past 54 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@PrepRedzoneFL). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..