Game two of the Florida High School Athletic Association state finals merges two teams from two areas that are represented the most, South Florida and Tampa Bay. South Florida has five teams in the 2021 state title games and Tampa Bay is represented with four teams. Friday night’s 3A matchup is the only time the two areas will face each other.
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) has been one the most impressive teams all year and when it comes to South Florida’s elite high school football teams, Chaminade has to be mentioned. Believe it or not, the Lions are playing with a chip on their shoulder losing by three in last year’s title game to Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), a game they probably should have won.
Berkeley Prep (Tampa) makes its first appearance in a state final in school history Friday night but isn’t a team that will just be happy to be there. Berkeley nearly beat Chaminade last year in the 3A semifinals losing 23-21 in the state semis in Tampa.
Berkeley Prep (Tampa) Vs. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
Friday 7:00 PM
Berkeley Prep (12-0)
State Championships: 0
Best Wins: Newman (LA) 49-24, Clearwater Central Catholic twice (35-21 and 36-22)
The signature moment for the Buccaneers was a business trip to New Orleans, LA in October. The top recruit in the 2023 class, Arch Manning looked quite pedestrian against the Bucs defense. Manning only completed 18 of his 35 passes and threw two interceptions and 1 touchdown in Newman’s blowout loss to the small school from Tampa.
So let’s begin with that defense and there’s only one player to start with and that’s junior defensive end Keon Keeley. The massive (6-6, 230) edge rusher is scary quick off the ball.
In the game against Newman, the Notre Dame commit had 1.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and one of the most athletic interceptions you’ll ever see. The 2023 star timed his jump at the line of scrimmage and snatched a Manning pass for the turnover.
CJ Hawkins is another towering (6-6, 220) Buccaneer, but plays on the offensive side of the football. The senior, and Stanford commit, is a menacing blocker from the tight end position and is an obviously easy target for junior quarterback Troy Reader to hit on the fade to the corner.
The real superstar on offense is Iowa State commit Xavier Townsend. The senior running back had himself a day against Newman rushing for 351 yards on just 18 total touches scoring five touchdowns. Townsend also had an interception in the game.
Iowa State fans – get ready. Xavier Townsend is COMING.🌪️🤯@xtowns07 @BerkeleyPrep @CycloneFB pic.twitter.com/N2qHB0BYuj
— NIBC (@NIBCOfficial) October 23, 2021
Chaminade-Madonna (10-1)
State Championships: 5 (2003, 2005, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Best Wins: Buford (GA) 7-0, Columbus (Miami) 33-17, Seminole (Sanford) 26-23
Head Coach Dameon Jones has built a dynasty in Hollywood as Chaminade will appear in its sixth straight title game. This Chaminade team could very well be the best of all six years. The Lions played a brutal schedule that arguably was the best in the state. Every Chaminade opponent made the playoffs this season and the Lions also traveled to Buford (GA) and left with a tight 7-0 win. Buford will play for the AAAAAA Georgia state championship Friday.
Chaminade wins in the trenches with its offensive and defensive lines. The O-Line is strong with the likes of Elvin Harris and William Larkins at tackle, Edward Addrison at guard, and Giovani Marks at center. Behind that enormous line is a “Bullet” officially named Davion Gause.
The sophomore running back (featured image) is just scratching the surface of what he could become and carries his team on his back late in games. Edwin Joseph and Jeremiah Smith are capable wide receivers on the outside and the long-striding Cedrick Bailey runs the show at quarterback.
On defense, the dangerous senior defensive end and Ohio State commit Kenyatta Jackson won the Gatorade Player of the Year this week, but his partner in crime UCF commit Jamaal Johnson, might be just as feared. Together they are nearly impossible to stop. On the back end, Ohio State commit Ryan Turner and Brian Dilworth are another dynamic duo that gives offenses fits.
Bullet goes in for his second touchdown of the game. Watch @daviongause7 with the #stiffarm on his way to the end zone. @Nadeboyz up 14-7 on Western with 7:39 left in the half. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/4UMxYARQ9a
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 27, 2021
No team in the state is more battle-tested than Chaminade this season. A somewhat fluky loss to a good American Heritage Plantation 26-24 in a rainstorm is the team’s only blemish. Berkeley has the athletes to compete in this game, but probably not enough to win.
Prediction: Chaminade Beats Berkely 26-17
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