Hollywood, FL — The first game of 2020 between teams from Broward and Miami-Dade Counties were finally played Friday night as two Florida state champions took the field. The Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) Lions hosted Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) Lions in a competitive game that was not decided until the fourth quarter.
The story of this game – Chaminade-Madonna running back Thaddius Franklin
The 2021 Miami Hurricanes commit scored all four touchdowns for the defending 3A state champions en route to a 27-14 win with zero fans in attendance. It was the first game played in Broward County since the COVID-19 pandemic , Franklin remains focused on winning an unprecedented fourth straight 3A state championship.
“It was weird, it was quiet,” said Franklin. “It would be fun to win four straight. I don’t think no one has ever did it.”
Here’s another example of the power of 2021 @CanesFootball commit Thaddius Franklin @Gucciboypopo as he drags defenders to the goal line. pic.twitter.com/PMuIXAD9vZ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 12, 2020
The Lions of Broward County are off to a great start to win that fourth straight title, and it does seem that Chaminade will rely on their workhorse to drive them toward their goal. Franklin carried the football 28 times for 164 yards and the offense seemed to abandon the passing game altogether only recording an unofficial ten pass attempts. Chaminade now has senior Hialeah transfer and Howard University commit Jaylan Tolbert and junior Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) transfer Brady Kelly at quarterback. Both saw significant playing time Friday night.
Champagnat actually struck first in the game running a hi-tempo style of offense. Senior running back Donovan Jones caught a short pass from senior Tyous Taylor to help put the Lions of Miami-Dade County out in front 7-0. Jones would finish the game with 68 yards on 11 carries scoring two touchdowns.
Franklin would strike back scoring the first of his four touchdowns rather unconventionally. At the one-yard line, Franklin mishandled a direct snap from the wildcat formation, but was able to scoop up the football and score by diving towards the goal line with the nose of the ball. Franklin would add to the lead just before the half on a three-yard run giving Chaminade a 14-7 lead at the break. Franklin had totaled 79 yards on the ground on 14 carries while his counterpart Jones tallied 55 yards on seven carries by halftime.
The commitment to the run game would continue and Champagnat would attempt to stop Franklin with three to four defenders at a time. Franklin would go in for another score with about seven minutes to go in the third quarter to make it a two-score game (extra point blocked), but Champagnat would make this a game in the second half. After a nifty catch and run by Georgia Tech commit Malik Rutherford would setup Champagnat at the two-yard line, Jones would take it in for six points as the third quarter expired. The score made it a 20-14 game going into the final quarter.
Watch this play by @MalikRutherford, 2021 @GeorgiaTechFB commit. This kid is special. @ChampagnatCS pic.twitter.com/VozpC7ANne
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 12, 2020
Chaminade ran it three straight times with Franklin when the Lions in blue got the ball back forcing a punt back to Champagnat with a chance for the Lions in red to take the lead. Unfortunately for Champagnat, an overthrow from Taylor fell into the arms of 2021 defensive back Micheal Edwards in their own half of the field. Chaminade went back to Franklin and he would ultimately seal the game going in for his fourth score with under two minutes left.
“I’m sore a little but I’m okay,” said Franklin after the opening season win. “It feels good because (to win) I thought we weren’t going to play, but we have fans next week so it should be fun.”
Chaminade will host again next week, this time against powerhouse American Heritage (Plantation).
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