Jeremiah Smith’s monster game propels Chaminade-Madonna to rout of Bergen Catholic (NJ)
There’s high standards, and then there’s the bar that Jeremiah Smith sets.
Needless to say, it’s very high.
Smith was unstoppable on Friday night, unofficially, hauling in 15 catches for 282 yards and three touchdowns in Chaminade-Madonna’s 61-21 beatdown of Bergen Catholic (N.J.).
In a matchup of nationally-ranked clubs, Chaminade (3-0) sent a reminder that it’s worthy of being in national championship discussions. There’s plenty of time to settle that debate. On Friday, Smith put on a show that he’s not only the top prep receiver in the country. The senior, who is committed to Ohio State, made a case he’s as good as any player in the country, at any position.
“It was mismatches,” Chaminade coach Dameon Jones said. “We knew what they were doing and how they were trying to play him. Too open.”
Smith caught scoring passes of 40, 78 and 14 yards, and had nine catches for 222 yards in the first half.
Quarterback Cedrick Bailey also enjoyed a huge game, throwing for 373 yards and four touchdowns. Bailey, Smith and the rest of the first team offense compiled big numbers in three quarters. They sat out the final period, and the game went to a running clock when sophomore quarterback Javarius Robinson threw a 21-yard scoring pass to Jaquri Lewis with just over 10 minutes remaining.
“We started fast, but there’s still a bunch to clean up,” Jones said. “We don’t get cleaned until maybe game five or six.”
The Lions, ranked seventh nationally and second in Florida, have been dominant in each of their wins over top competition, outscoring their opponents, 137-39.
“Game by game, we still have stuff to work on, but game by game, we’re getting better,” Jones said.
Making the fast start more impressive is the fact, five-star wide receiver Joshisa Trader (Miami commit) injured his right shoulder in the opener against St. Frances Academy, and missed the Cardinal Gibbons and Bergen Catholic games.
With Trader out, Smith has stepped up. And Friday, the five-star receiver wanted to atone for his performance against Cardinal Gibbons, when he had eight catches for 93 yards and a TD. But Smith had a couple of dropped passes, and committed a holding penalty.
“I don’t feel like I played a bad game,” Smith said. “But, I had to redeem myself this week. I definitely came this week prepared.”
The Lions came out quickly, scoring on the opening drive, with Smith catching a 40-yard scoring pass.
Chaminade’s defense had a fourth-down stop on Bergen Catholic’s first possession, and Bailey capped a scoring drive with a 24-yard touchdown run.
The Lions’ defense got into the scoring when defensive lineman Zachary Crothers had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving Chaminade a 20-0 with 6:40 remaining in the first quarter.
The fast start took Bergen Catholic (2-1) out of its game plan, creating an uphill climb for the No. 2-ranked team in New Jersey and the 19th-rated team in the country.
Bergen Catholic has a roster loaded with top talent, including receiver Quincy Porter, who caught touchdown passes off 11- and 82-yards from quarterback Dominic Campanile. Porter is being recruited by Alabama and Georgia.
“That’s a great team over there,” Smith said of Bergen Catholic. “Back in New Jersey, I think they’ve won like 19 state championships. They’re a great school, but we just came out and dominated, and did what we did and played Chaminade football.”