Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Chaminade gains 3rd straight title game
Next stop, Orlando. Chaminade-Madonna (11-2) punched its ticket for a third straight appearance in the 3A state championship game after a 16-0 road win over previously unbeaten Clearwater Central Catholic (12-1).
It will be Chaminade’s third straight trip to Camping World Stadium to play for the state championship, which they won last year after the Lions mauled the Marauders 49-3 in the state semifinal round on their way to the title.
This was the sixth state semifinal appearance in seven years for Clearwater Central Catholic, but the team has only reached the finals once, finishing as the 2013 runner-up.
Willie Davis rushed for 204 yards on 30 carries and scored the game’s only touchdown.
The Lions overcame six turnovers and got the win by dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, clearing the way for Davis and others on offense while constantly putting defensive players in the CCC backfield, leading to numerous pressures and four interceptions.
The result was a shutout against a Marauders team that had scored 65 points in its two previous playoff games. Gibbons stifles Jesuit to make title game for first time since ’90: Cardinal Gibbons is headed back to the state championship game for the first time since 1990.
Gibbons shut down Tampa Jesuit 14-3 in the Class 5A state semifinals to post its 12th consecutive victory after starting off the season with losses to Mia ami Central and Milton, Ga.
The Chiefs (12-2) will play the winner of Trinity Christian and North Marion for the 5A state championship Dec. 7 in Orlando. Jesuit's season ends 12-2.
Asked what playing for a state title would mean, Gibbons coach Matt DuBuc said, "That's why you do it 12 months out of the year now. You do it because that's the goal. You want to win your district and then you want to win your state championship."
Both Gibbons touchdowns came on passes from sophomore quarterback Brody Palhegyi to sophomore Troy Stellato.
The first one was from 77 yards out in the first quarter. The second a 47-yarder in the fourth period. Palhegyi was forced into action the past two games because of a serious injury to Kentucky commit Nik Scalzo.
The Chiefs swarmed all over Jesuit sophomore QB Kiael Kelly all game long, forcing two interceptions by Sidney Porter and Yahweh Jeudy. Kelly finished 8-for-17 passing. University of Miami tight end commit Larry Hodges did have 5 receptions for 103 yards.
On the ground, Kelly had minus-45 yards rushing when you factor in sacks. Khris Bogle, Trevis Robinson and Jeudy dominated the line of scrimmage.
Gibbons' Palhegyi finished 6 of 9 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Stellato had 132 yards receiving and two TDs.
Jesuit's lone points came on a 34-yard field goal from Cade Freeman with 4:38 left in the first quarter.
"We're real young," Jesuit coach Matt Thompson said. "We return 19 significant guys next year. So we're really young. A lot of juniors and sophomores."
Turnovers played a major role in the first half.
Gibbons fumbled the ball away on its first possession. The Chiefs' defense held Jesuit to force a punt, but Dimon Stewart fumbled away Dane Belton's punt and Jesuit was in business at the Gibbons 17.
The Chiefs' defense again stiffened and held the Tigers to 3 on Freeman's field goal.
Gibbons bounced back on its next possession to grab the lead. Palhegyi connected with a wide-open Stellato. Stellato took it the distance 77 yards for a 7-3 Gibbons advantage with 3:15 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Gibbons missed a long field goal and Jesuit had a pass intercepted. King’s Academy roars back to get to 3A title game: The Lions roared back from a 28-7 deficit in Tallahassee to win 49-48 and create a Broward-Palm Beach matchup in the 3A state final for the second straight year.
King’s will play Chaminade-Madonna at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8