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Chaminade Outplays Gulliver In Battle Of State Title Contenders

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Hollywood, FL — Playing at home statistically is an advantage for the host team.  For the first time in 2021, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) got to experience the friendly confines of their home stadium in game number six of the regular season.  The hosts did not disappoint the homecoming crowd as the Lions earned a convincing 31-16 win over Gulliver Prep (Miami).  

“I’m happy to finally play at home, it’s been crazy,” said Head Coach Dameon Jones after the game.  “Tonight we started with a little bit more energy just by being home because we did not have to have that bus ride and we did well so I’m happy for them.  And the crowd energy…we packed the house tonight.  I’d rather play at home than on the road any day.”

The road-tested Lions (5-1) defeated Western (Davie), Columbus (Miami), Buford (GA), and Seminole (Sanford) all on the road going into Friday night.  Chaminade’s one loss to American Heritage Plantation, also on the road.  Gulliver (5-1) came into the game undefeated looking to prove that they are among the elite teams in the state.  

But in typical Chaminade fashion, the 2020 3A state runner-ups did it with defense and a powerful running game led by Davion “Bullet” Gause. However, it was junior Duane Thomas that would score two rushing touchdowns that would put this game away. 


“He’s a good running back,” said Gause of Jones.  “He doesn’t really play running back like that, he plays slot receiver.”

It Was Over When…

Thomas broke free for a 54-yard run late in the fourth quarter with 2:39 left.  After 30 carries and 165 yards rushing by Gause, Thomas took over most of the running back duties for the remainder of the game.  Gause cramped up just before scoring in the second half.  

“I tried to score but my leg completely locked up,” said Gause.  

Thomas (2023) finished the drive with a touchdown and the game with 92 yards on 15 carries scoring twice.  The score by Thomas made it a 21-10 game in the third quarter.

Gulliver, a 4A state title contender, made this a game late when Tulane commits Carson Haggard and DeCarlo Donaldson linked up for a ten-yard touchdown with 9:52 left, but could not stop Thomas in crunch time. 

Haggard also connected with Jalen Brown for a 36-yard Raider touchdown in the first half.  The score made it a 14-10 game at the break. 

Big Time Players

Kenyatta Jackson, Defensive End, Chaminade – Two sacks and at times made the Gulliver offensive line look invisible.  

Jamaal Johnson, Defensive Lineman, Chaminade – The UCF commit just manhandled the Gulliver offensive linemen all night.  Also had two sacks.  

Davion Gause, Running Back, Chaminade (featured image) – The sophomore carried his team and defenders for extra yards all night.  Bullet finished with 31 carries, for 164 yards.

Antonio Smith, Defensive Back, Gulliver – Two interceptions and also blocked an extra point that caromed through the uprights.

Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, Chaminade – The former Monsignor Pace (Miami) receiver scored two touchdowns in the first half from passes from quarterback Cedric Bailey. 

DeCarlo Donaldson, Wide Receiver, Gulliver –  The senior had some highlight-reel catches in this game including a stunning one-hander in the first half.  Donaldson finished with 10 catches for 134 yards and the touchdown.

Cedric Bailey, Quarterback, Chaminade – The sophomore QB completed 12 of his 28 passes for 131 yards throwing for two touchdown passes.  He added five carries for 61 yards on the ground. 

“Every game he gets better and better, said Coach Jones of Bailey.  “[He’s] been working for us all year.” 

Gulliver suffered its first loss of the season and host Miami Palmetto next week. Chaminade gets another home game against Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) next Friday.

Stats – Adam Lichtenstein

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Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

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