Chaminade-Madonna holds off Miami Central in thriller that lived up to hype
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Curtis Janvier put it best.
“We run Florida,” Janvier said.
If the Lions keep racking up impressive victories like they did once again Thursday night, they’ll be running much more than this state.
Led by quarterback Cedrick Bailey, who paced the Lions’ offense with four touchdown passes, and Janvier’s two timely interceptions, Chaminade held on for a thrilling 31-28 victory over fellow national powerhouse Miami Central on Thursday night at Traz Powell Stadium.
The Lions (5-0), ranked fifth in the country by MaxPreps, recorded their fifth consecutive victory to open the season against a nationally-ranked opponent and kept alive its hopes of winning a national title.
“We’ve been waiting the last two or three years to play this game and the city showed out,” Chaminade coach Dameon Jones said. “When we lined up the schedule we knew what we were getting into and hey, 5-0. I’m proud of my team.”
The highly-anticipated matchup, which pitted two schools that have combined for 16 state championships all-time, was broadcast on ESPN2 even after it started over an hour and a half late due to lightning in the area.
The matchup lived up to the hype as the two sides went back and forth throughout a high-scoring first half before the Lions outlasted the Rockets in more of a defensive struggle in the second half.
Despite being shut out over the final two quarters, Janvier’s two interceptions proved crucial to Chaminade’s own defense finishing off the Rockets. On Central’s final drive, quarterback Antonio Smith fired a pass over the middle to Anjuan Coleman that ricocheted off his hands and high into the air. The ball landed in Janvier’s grasp and he returned the ball near midfield with 1:13 left.
“It was a big time play and I knew we needed that so I just put the game away,” Janvier said.
Chaminade nearly ran out the clock before punting the ball away. Central had one last chance with one second remaining, but Smith’s desperation pass downfield fell incomplete.
The Lions finished with six sacks overall including three crucial ones in the second half. A split sack between Donta Simpson and Anthony Smith forced Central to try a game-tying field goal early in the fourth quarter. But Kristian Hobbs’ 26-yard attempt was a low line drive that hit the crossbar with 8:45 remaining.
“It was a good game like everyone expected it to be and it was blow for blow. I’m just happy we came out on top and I’m proud of my kids and my coaches,” Jones said.
Bailey, an NC State commit, completed 26 of 38 passes for 301 yards with 259 of those coming in the first half.
His main target continued to be senior wide receiver and Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith, who finished with nine catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns including a spectacular one-handed catch on an 18-yard touchdown just before halftime which gave Chaminade the lead for good at 24-21.
Chaminade receiver Jojo Trader caught five passes for 44 yards against his former school, but left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury.
Central (1-2) entered the game ranked fourth by MaxPreps and was led on offense by its running game, which amassed 209 yards overall. Jayden Ford led the Rockets with 19 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown.
“We have to put together a full game defensively,” Central coach Jube Joseph said. “I think we were a little shell-shocked at the beginning of the game, but as we settled down we made plays.”
Antonio Smith completed 20 of 31 passes for 261 yards, one touchdown and one interception for Central. Lawayne McCoy caught five passes for 89 yards in the first half, but the Florida State commit was forced to leave the game due to leg cramps.
The loss knocks Central out of the national title picture as the Rockets have now dropped two heartbreakers against a pair of top-five teams - Chaminade and Las Vegas Bishop Gorman - by a combined seven points.
Central will look to rebound in the coming weeks as it prepares for a tough challenge from district rival Miami Norland on its potential path toward a record-setting fifth consecutive state title.
“Everything we set out for is still in front of us,” Joseph said. “Our ‘Drive for Five’ is still alive. We just have to tweak some things and finish as a team. We have to finish offensively, defensively and on special teams. This game shows when we play against elite teams what we can do, but now we just have to finish.
“Today was a step in the right direction. You want to win every game but there were some lessons learned. It was a great game for South Florida culture and it showed the country that we can play ball.”
MORE SCORES
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This story was originally published September 22, 2023 at 2:01 AM.
