Chaminade-Madonna’s Davion Gause is Broward 5A-Ind. Football Offensive Player of the Year
A year ago, he was sharing a backfield with one of South Florida’s top running backs.
This year, the offense ran through him as he almost effortlessly ran through opposing defenses.
Yes, Chaminade-Madonna’s Davion Gause certainly took advantage of the opportunity to be a premier player on a roster littered with Football Bowl Subdivision talent.
He emerged as the top offensive player on what could be argued was the top team in the state. The Lions went 12-1 this year, won their fourth Class 3A title in five years and capped their season with a victory in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series.
For that, Gause is the Miami Herald’s Broward Class 5A-Independent Offensive Player of the Year.
“This means a lot,” Gause said,” because I was working hard all year and the results showed on the field.”
The stats behind Gause’s breakout sophomore season: 1,844 rushing yards on 251 carries (7.3 yards per rush) and 17 touchdowns in 13 games. He also caught seven passes for 135 yards and another touchdown.
Gause, 5-11 and 209 pounds, had at least 100 rushing yards in 10 of 13 games played. That includes 205 yards and two touchdowns in Chaminade’s 21-0 shutout win over Berkeley Prep in the Class 3A state championship game and a 185-yard performance in a 35-24 win over Gilbert (Arizona) Highland in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series.
This came on the heels of a freshman season in which Gause rushed for 762 yards and six touchdowns on just 81 carries (9.4 yards per carry) while splitting the backfield with Franklin, who just finished his freshman season with the Miami Hurricanes.
Gause said working as a one-two punch with Franklin helped him develop his game as a freshman, getting his feet under him while playing a key role but also having having a veteran to lean on as he began his high school career.
This year? It was all on Gause — an opportunity he hoped would arrive at some point.
“Being the only back this year meant a lot to me,” Gause said, “because I always dreamed of this and I was working hard for this.”
And Gause is hoping this year was merely a building block with two more high school seasons left.
His next goal for next year?
“The next step is to get 2,000 yards and be the best player in South Florida,” Gause said. “That’s it.”
.JPG)