Historical night for Chaminade-Madonna as Lions roll past Archbishop Carroll

Through the sky-high expectations, and unrelenting distractions that come with the recruiting process, the Chaminade-Madonna Lions always stay focused on the task at hand.

It was business as usual yet again on Friday night with Chaminade-Madonna cruising to a 47-7 victory over Archbishop Carroll in the Class 1M state semifinals at Vince Zappone Field.

The outcome certainly was expected, and the game was never in doubt. But still, it was a historical night for the Lions because they’re headed to the state finals for a Florida record eight straight seasons.

“This is a special group, man,” Lions coach Dameon Jones said. “I’m happy for them.”

The Lions (13-0), ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps, will go for a three-peat in Tallahassee, and they will be facing a familiar foe. For the second straight year, they will face Clearwater Central Catholic, 39-32 winners over Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy. Chaminade opens the three-day event held next week at Bragg Stadium at Florida A&M University on Thursday in the 1M final at 10 a.m.

“It’s crazy,” Jones said. “I’ve got a bunch of my old players here. Alumni. They’re going back-and-forth like, which team is the best? I don’t know. All of them are different. This team is talented on both sides of the ball. I can’t pick one over the other. All of them have been good groups.”

Chaminade’s elite talent stepped up yet again. In the final home game for the seniors, the Lions received big performances from quarterback Cedrick Bailey (four touchdown passes). Running back Davion Gause had a 31-yard touchdown run, and the North Carolina commit, tacked on a 42-yard run, setting up a touchdown in the second quarter.

Five-star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader each scored two touchdowns.

The first play of the game was a 63-yard flea-flicker pass from Smith to Trader, putting Chaminade on the Bulldogs’ 10.

“The whole week we were focused on starting off fast,” Bailey said. “The trick play was a fun thing to do, but at the same time, we were so laser-focused on the game. It was so fun. It was easy.”

Trader scored on pass plays of 10 and 20 yards. Smith had a 15-yard touchdown reception, and in the third quarter, the senior scored on a 55-yard run, which made it 41-0.

Smith, who has committed to Ohio State, had a big night with Buckeyes offensive coordinator Brian Hartline in attendance.

Still, postgame, Smith and Bailey (North Carolina State commit) addressed their recruiting.

Bailey recently received an offer from Miami. The Hurricanes also continue to pursue Smith.

Trader already is committed to Miami. If one of the other two flips to the Hurricanes, could all three wind up staying at home?

“It would definitely make it tempting,” Smith said if Bailey flipped to UM. “Those are my guys.”

Added Bailey: “The Miami offer was great. … But I’m just going to focus on next week – the state game, right now.”

After the state finals, Smith and Bailey will make their respective decisions.

For Archbishop Carroll (11-2), Friday marked an end to a historical season of their own.

The Bulldogs revived the program in recent years, and in the process, clinched their first trip to the state semifinals since 2007.

Carroll earned the right to face Chaminade by outlasting True North Classical Academy, 38-35, on Ethan Silva’s 29-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs certainly had plenty to celebrate in the season, claiming playoff wins over Palmer Trinity (35-6) and True North.

Offensively, Archbishop Carroll entered Friday night averaging 39 points per game, while featuring three running backs who averaged more than 90 yards rushing a game – Alejandro Isaza (115.9), Ryan Castro (96.9) and Sylus Villanueva (94.1).

The Bulldogs had some success on the ground, rushing for 101 yards on 24 attempts in the first half. But they didn’t complete a pass, and trailing 34-0 at the break. With their ground-game style, coming back from a large deficit against a national-power like Chaminade was nearly impossible.

In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs did have reason to celebrate. Castro, who ran for 68 yards in the first half, scored on a 1-yard run.