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Tallahassee, FL — There are great teams and then there are dynasties. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) has been as good as any in the sunshine state for the last five years. On a foggy Friday night at Gene Cox Stadium, the Lions proved yet again why they should be considered among the nation’s best.
Chaminade’s defense dominated Berkeley Prep (Tampa) from start to finish on a Friday night capping an impressive season with a 21-0 shutout win. The win gave Chaminade (11-1) its sixth state championship and four in the last five years solidifying themselves as the most successful program in South Florida in that time span. In last year’s 3A state championship game, Chaminade was up 16-0 over Trinity Christian, but lost 25-22.
“Up 16 zip and letting them come back and beat us in the state finals, we took that very hard,” said defensive end Kenyatta Jackson. “Every game was just real personal for us.”
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Chaminade @Nadeboyz draws blood first as quarter expires. @daviongause7 punches it in from the wildcat formation. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/2nf2HEyqsI
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 11, 2021
Berkeley Prep (12-1) made its first appearance in the state championship game and averaged 296 rushing yards a game this season. The Lions held them to 30 rushing yards. Iowa State commit Xavier Townsend had 17 yards on 8 carries.
“We knew that they run the ball pretty good. They have a good coaching staff over there a pretty good running back,” said Jackson. “Nobody could run on us all season.”
Chaminade came into the game battle-tested and played one of the toughest schedules in the country as every opponent made the playoffs including Buford (GA) who won the Georgia state title tonight against Langston Hughes (GA).
.@FootballHotBed #1. (14-1) Defending Champions @buford_football Come Back To Win Back To Back To Back 6A State Championship By Beating #2. 13-2 @RecruitLangston 21-20. @GPBsports Sports Video. @MaxPreps @Moore256D Sports pic.twitter.com/iso5VCa32K
— Deron Anchor Jones Moore (@Moore256D) December 11, 2021
“Playing those tough opponents help you with situations like this,” said Head Coach Dameon Jones. “Going on the road to Buford helped us in environments like this. Like I told the kids earlier, it’s like we did this already. Traveling being, being on the road, hotels, they were prepared, it wasn’t new to them.”
It Was Over When…
Davion Gause scored an essential dagger touchdown in the fourth quarter. Gause found an opening up the middle and dashed to the goal line. The sophomore running back rushed for 199 yards on the night.
Davion Gause @daviongause7 scores his second touchdown of the night and Chaminade @Nadeboyz open up a 21-0 lead with 10:09 left in the game. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/T8QSdSWb1s
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 11, 2021
Points were hard to come by in the first half as both team’s defenses limited the big plays. However, Cedrick “CJ” Bailey (6-4, 170) hit a deep ball to sophomore Jeremiah Smith that would place the ball at the one-yard line. Bailey completed 12-of-17 for 154 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s going to be one of the best in the country when it’s all said and done,” said Jones of his sophomore QB Bailey. “From the beginning of this year to the end, he has progressed and it’s going to be scary. “
Davion “Bullet” Gause” would take care of the rest from the wildcat position forcing his way over the goal line.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Chaminade @Nadeboyz draws blood first as quarter expires. @daviongause7 punches it in from the wildcat formation. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/2nf2HEyqsI
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 11, 2021
Berkeley forced a turnover in the first half with junior defensive end Xavier Perkins stripping the football from Bailey which was recovered by Notre Dame commit Keon Keeley.
HALFTIME: Defensive battle so far as Chaminade maintains a 7-0 lead over Berkeley @BPS_Football.
Junior Xavier Perkins gets strip here and ball is recovered by @NDFootball commit Keon Keeley. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/yCJnDvGwUO
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 11, 2021
The Buccaneers would squander the opportunity however and eventually turn the ball over on downs.
The Chaminade defense held running backs Townsend, Iowa State commit, and Travis Bates to 27 total rushing yards. The Buccaneers also failed to complete a pass in the first half.
In the second half, it was the Gause show that took over. Chaminade pounded the football with Gause and drained the clock in process. Early in the half, Bailey found Smith again, this time for a touchdown.
Berkeley don’t have an answer for 2024 @Jermiah_Smith1.
Pass from @Cedrickbailey11 to Smith helps to extend the Chaminade lead 14-0 over Berkeley early second half. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/kAW4Opb8EV
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 11, 2021
The defense for Chaminade was absolutely smothering. Jamaal Johnson (UCF commit) and Kenyatta Jackson (Ohio State commit) led the team in tackles as the two seniors complete their careers with another state championship.
Big Time Players
Jamaal Johnson, Defensive End, Chaminade – The senior had seven total tackles a sack and tackle for loss.
Kenyatta Jackson, Defensive End, Chaminade – The 2022 edge rusher finished with six tackles one tackle for loss a forced fumble and a pass break up.
Jeremiah McGill, Cornerback, Chaminade – The senior cornerback had two tackles and an interception late in the fourth quarter
Davion Gause, Running Back, Chaminade – The sophomore had 199 yards on 26 carries scoring twice.
Coach Dameon Jones since taking the job as head coach at Chaminade-Madonna has made the championship game every year and now has four state titles to his credit.
“[I’m] blessed man,” said Jones. “I have great coaches and wonderful kids that buy into the system.”
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