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Davie, FL — In the last five years there are not many other teams that are more familiar with winning playoff games than University School (Davie) and Champaganat Catholic (Hialeah). U-School fell to Cocoa for the second straight year in the 4A semifinals last year and seem poised to make another run while Champagnat has been the most consistent team in 2A the last five years and were a few key plays away from winning a second straight state title last year.
On Friday night the two teams met for the third straight year and the game produced a similar result to the two previous years. U-School, came out on top once again with a 26-13 victory over Champagnat. Deion Small’s two scores would prove to be the big difference on the scoreboard. The junior athlete finished the night with five catches for 24 yards and ran the ball for 41 yards with two rushing touchdowns.
“Deion Small, he’s been our lightning bolt the last couple weeks,” said U-School Head Coach Daniel Luque. “He’s a veteran player. He’s definitely one of the best overall football players in Broward County right now.”
The game looms large in making the playoffs with the FHSAA point system because wins against teams that went far in the previous year benefit your chances of making the postseason this season.
In the middle of the first quarter, the Sharks recovered a questionable fumble but failed to get over the goal line as the Lions defense stood tall on 2nd and 3rd down inside the five-yard line. On the ensuing possession, the Lions were pinned in their own end zone and Champagnat decided to have their punter run out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Mid 2nd quarter, junior quarterback Nick Vattiato found junior wide receiver Fredrick Cage for a 20-yard touchdown to extend the Shark lead 12-0.
The Sharks of @uschoolfootball extend their lead 12-0 over Champagnat as Fredrick Cage catches this 20-yard touchdown pass from @canesqb11. Mid 2nd quarter @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/nepOgrPGyY
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 20, 2019
Vattiato went 16 of 28 for 162 yards and the one touchdown. The Sharks lone loss of the season came in Vattiato’s absence as U-School was shutout by McArthur (Hollywood) 19-0. The 2021 dual-threat recovered from a reported concussion last week to help edge Western (Davie) 14-9.
The Lions would bounce back before the half with a shifty 25-yard run by senior quarterback Ryle Aguila. Aquila and Vattiato were teammates last off-season for South Florida Express’s seven-on-seven team. Aguila had 10 rushes for 75 yards and two scores. The extra point was missed as U-School took a 12-6 lead into halftime. Coach Luque mentioned how similar both teams are in style of play.
“They kind of remind us a little bit of ourselves. Got a guy that can throw the ball. Receivers that can go out there and get it. Very feisty team. They’re going to do well and I wish them all the best.”
The Lions gets on the board as @ryle_aguila hurdles his way over the goal line for a 25-yard touchdown run. @ChampagnatCS cuts lead in half 12-6 on Uschool in the 2nd quarter. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/TrtxaNxAxX
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 21, 2019
The game was riddled with penalties and mental mistakes by both teams. Champagnat had 17 penalties for 141 yards while U-School had 14 flags for 95 yards. Taking advantage of mistakes would prove to be the difference as the Sharks would do just that. An errant snap over the head of the Lion punter set up Small’s first touchdown. Small got small and appeared to be tackled but busted out of the pile to score for a 29-yard run.
Deion Small breaks free for @uschoolfootball on a jet sweep for a 29-yard touchdown run. Sharks up 19-6 over Champagnat in the 3rd quarter. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/zPwOFfKGiZ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 21, 2019
“The punt over the head really helped us out and got short field position and were able to capitalize. They made mistakes we made mistakes, it’s all about who can capitalize on what.”
Small would break free again in the fourth with a red zone touchdown run to extend the lead 26-6.
The Sharks add another touchdown to their total as Deion Small scores another touchdown. Score now 26-6 as @uschoolfootball leads Champagnat in the 3rd. Small plays the 🎸 for celebration. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/nXSQRhtclB
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 21, 2019
The Shark defense played well not allowing Aguila to have time to find his playmakers and was often sacked. Aime Emile and RJ Sorenson were often in the Lion backfield forcing the Champagnat quarterback to scramble for what he could.
“Our defense has been playing lights out the last couple weeks. Actually the last three weeks we had a hell of a game against McArthur and you got at a high flying attack in Champagnat. We have a bye week and we’ll get back to the drawing board.”
The opportunistic Sharks took advantage of Lion mistakes and did just enough to earn a tough win on homecoming night for University School.
U-School defeated Champagnat 27-15 in 2017 and 48-14 last year. Champagnat’s only loss previous to Friday night was to Georgia power Lowndes 44-14.
Champagnat (3-2) will be at Monsignor Pace (Miami) next week and U-School (4-1) gets a week to rest before they host Miami Christian.
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