Crusaders Shock the State: Cardinal Newman Upsets Chaminade-Madonna 17-14 in 1A Title Game

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Brandon Odoi

MIAMI — In a thrilling finish at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University, the Cardinal Newman Crusaders capped off a historic season with a dramatic 17-14 upset over the defending powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Lions to win the FHSAA Class 1A state championship on Thursday afternoon. 

The victory marks the first state football title in school history for Cardinal Newman and snaps Chaminade-Madonna’s dominant run — the Lions had appeared in the championship game for the past decade and entered seeking a fifth consecutive title. 

Early Momentum and a Back-and-Forth Battle

The Crusaders struck first just before halftime when senior standout Jyron Hughley broke free for a long touchdown run to give Newman a 7-0 lead. Chaminade-Madonna responded before the break, knotting the score 7-7 and setting the stage for a tightly contested second half. 

In the third quarter, Hughley — who announced his commitment to West Virginia — continued to fuel Newman’s offense. He connected with Ethan Holland on a big scoring pass, putting the Crusaders ahead 14-7. 

Clutch Plays in the Fourth Quarter

Early in the fourth quarter, Cardinal Newman extended its lead when Nathaniel Parks drilled a 36-yard field goal, making it 17-7 and giving the Crusaders some breathing room. 

But the Lions were far from finished. With under a minute left, Chaminade-Madonna’s Derrick Cooper punched in a short rushing touchdown, trimming the deficit to 17-14 and setting up a frantic final minute. 

Sealing the Win

After the Lions attempted an onside kick, Cardinal Newman’s special teams came up big, securing the ball and allowing the Crusaders to run out the clock, securing the monumental victory. 

Legacy and Celebration

The win not only brings a state championship trophy back to West Palm Beach for the first time in program history but also cements this team’s place among the school’s all-time greats. Players, coaches, and fans celebrated long after the final whistle as Newman’s sideline erupted in joy. 

For Chaminade-Madonna, an excellent season ends at 11-3, proud of yet another deep playoff run but falling just short of another title. 

About Brandon Odoi

Brandon Odoi is a tenured journalist. He's covered youth football since 8th grade, high school football since 2009 and began covering college football in 2011 as a beat writer for the University of Miami Athletic programs. In 2011, he founded Football Hotbed a national multi-media platform for football across the country. He's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and spent his first five years as a professional working at ABC Television Network, ending his career as a producer in Miami. He's married with two sons and a daughter and resides in South Florida.
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