Chaminade cruises, makes history against Archbishop Carroll
Through the sky-high expectations and unrelenting distractions that come with the recruiting process, the ChaminadeMadonna Lions always stay focused on the task at hand.
It was business as usual yet again on Friday night with Chaminade-Madonna cruising to a 47-7 victory over Archbishop Carroll in the Class 1M state semifinals at Vince Zappone Field.
The outcome certainly was expected, and the game was never in doubt. But still, it was a historical night for the Lions because they’re headed to the state finals for a Florida record eight straight seasons.
“This is a special group, man,” Lions coach Dameon Jones said. “I’m happy for them.”
The Lions (13-0), ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps, will go for a threepeat in Tallahassee, and they will be facing a familiar foe. For the second straight year, they will face Clearwater Central Catholic, 39-32 winners over Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy. Chaminade opens the three-day event held next week at Bragg Stadium at Florida A&M University on Thursday in the 1M final at 10 a.m.
“It’s crazy,” Jones said. “I’ve got a bunch of my old players here. Alumni. They’re going back-andforth like, which team is the best? I don’t know. All of them are different. This team is talented on both sides of the ball. I can’t pick one over the other. All of them have been good groups.”
Chaminade’s elite talent stepped up yet again. In
the final home game for the seniors, the Lions received big performances from quarterback Cedrick Bailey (four touchdown passes). Running back Davion Gause had a 31yard touchdown run, and the North Carolina commit, tacked on a 42-yard
run, setting up a touchdown in the second quarter.
Five-star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader each scored two touchdowns.
The first play of the game was a 63-yard fleaflicker pass from Smith to
Trader, putting Chaminade on the Bulldogs’ 10.
“The whole week we were focused on starting off fast,” Bailey said. “The trick play was a fun thing to do, but at the same time, we were so laserfocused on the game. It was so fun. It was easy.”
Trader scored on pass plays of 10 and 20 yards. Smith had a 15-yard touchdown reception, and in the third quarter, the senior scored on a 55-yard run, which made it 41-0.
Smith, who has committed to Ohio State, had a big night with Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline in attendance.
Still, postgame, Smith and Bailey (North Carolina State commit) addressed their recruiting.
Bailey recently received an offer from Miami. The Hurricanes also continue to pursue Smith.
Trader already is committed to Miami. If one of the other two flips to the Hurricanes, could all three wind up staying at home?
“It would definitely make it tempting,” Smith said if Bailey flipped to UM. “Those are my guys.”
Added Bailey: “The Miami offer was great. … But I’m just going to focus on next week – the state game, right now.”
For Archbishop Carroll (11-2), Friday marked an end to a historical season of their own.
The Bulldogs revived the program in recent years, and in the process, clinched their first trip to the state semifinals since 2007.
Carroll earned the right to face Chaminade by outlasting True North Classical Academy, 38-35, on Ethan Silva’s last-minute 29-yard field goal.