CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: CCC and Chaminade-Madonna to meet for the third straight year among the best of the state’s small private schools

#3 CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC MARAUDERS (12-2) VS. #1 CHAMINADE-MADONNA LIONS (HOLLYWOOD) (12-2)

When: Wed. Dec 11th

Where: South Dade Kia Field at FIU Stadium, Miami, FL

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. EST

Live Broadcast: NFHS Network – Click Here To Watch

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CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC MARAUDERS (12-2)

• Head Coach: Chris Harvey (9th year, 92-22 overall)
• State Finals Appearances: 4 – 2013 (3A), 2022 (1M), 2023 (1M), 2024 (1A)

KEY PLAYERS

• #1 QB Khayse Barrett (So): Barrett will start in place of the injured senior quarterback Jershaun Newton. Barrett started the regional final game against Lakeland Christian and played the bulk of the second half and overtime in the state semifinal game against Cardinal Newman.
• #10 RB/LB Sean Cuono (Sr): Cuono rushed for 1,129 yards this season. He is committed to Indiana after receiving offers from USF, Kansas State, Auburn, and South Carolina.
• #14 WR/DE/OLB Gregory Thomas (Sr): Thomas led the Marauders in sacks (16) and tackles for loss (17).
• #18 WR Brendan Wright (Jr): Wright led the Marauders in receiving yards (497) and receiving touchdowns (5).
• #5 LB Johnny Richardson (Sr): Richardson led the Marauders in tackles (107).

IMPACT OF JERSHAUN NEWTON’S ABSENCE

Clearwater Central Catholic will be without their starting quarterback, Jershaun Newton (Sr), due to a knee injury sustained in the state semifinal game against Cardinal Newman. Newton is signed to Illinois after receiving offers from USF, FSU, Miami, and Mississippi. Newton led CCC to three straight title game appearances. He holds Pinellas County records for total yards (9,962) and touchdowns (105), including 55 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing touchdowns. He is arguably the best high school player in Pinellas County history, with a more accomplished career than his brothers who won a national championship and were drafted to the NFL. Newton finished the season with 1,799 passing yards and 15 touchdowns and 1,073 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Coach Harvey says Newton’s injury is not long-term but will keep him out of the championship game.

2024 RESULTS – HOW THEY GOT HERE

* – District Game
*** – Playoff Game

• 8/23 – Berkeley Prep (Tampa), 28-14 (W)
• 8/30 – Sebring, 43-8 (W)
• 9/6 – at Tampa Catholic, 48-7 (W)
• 9/13 – Clearwater, 42-14 (W)
• 9/20 – at Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 55-7 (W)
• 9/30 – at Indian Rocks Christian (Largo), 42-0 (W)*
• 10/4 – at Northside Christian (St. Petersburg), 42-7 (W)
• 10/18 – Venice, 27-20 (L)
• 10/25 – St. Frances (MD), 35-7 (L)
• 11/1 – at Boca Ciega (Gulfport), 55-21 (W)
• 11/15 – Holy Trinity (Melbourne), 64-14 (W)***
• 11/22 – Carrollwood Day (Tampa), 45-0 (W)***
• 11/29 – Lakeland Christian, 35-14 (W)***
• 12/5 – Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach), 22-21 (OT) (W)***

TEAM STATS

• Passing Yards: 2107
• Passing Yards per Game: 150.5
• Rushing Yards: 3684
• Rushing Yards per Game: 263.1
• Rushing Yards per Carry: 8.0
• Receiving Yards per Catch: 12.8
• Yards per Game: 413.6
• Tackles per Game: 71.3
• Sacks: 2.6
• Interceptions: 9
• Fumble Recoveries: 14
• Caused Fumbles: 15
• Punt Average: 39.3
• Kickoff Return Average: 27.2
• Punt Return Average: 12.3
• Average Score: 39.2

CHAMINADE-MADONNA LIONS (HOLLYWOOD) (12-2)

• Head Coach: Dameon Jones (9th year, 104-16; 17th year overall as head coach, 173-31 overall)
• State Finals Appearances: 13 – 1974 (3A), 2002 (2A), 2003 (3A)*, 2005 (5A)*, 2016 (3A), 2017 (3A)*, 2018 (3A)*, 2019 (3A)*, 2020 (3A), 2021 (3A)*, 2022 (1M)*, 2023 (1M)*, 2024 (1A)

KEY PLAYERS

• #15 QB Tyler Chance (So): Chance threw for 979 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Chance also threw two interceptions. He is the second-leading passer on the team for touchdowns, behind Bekkem Kritza.
• #1 ATH Derrek Cooper (Jr): Cooper led the Lions in rushing with 813 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. He also scored the second-most total touchdowns (14) behind Jasen Lopez. Cooper has received offers from Miami, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, and Auburn.
• #7 WR Jasen Lopez (Jr): Lopez led the Lions with 1,268 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns on the season. He also leads the team in receiving yards per game (90.6) and total touchdowns (16). Lopez has received offers from Miami, FIU, USF, Tennessee, and Penn State.
• #4 OLB Bryant Junius (Jr): Junius led the Lions in tackles with 67 and had two interceptions. Junius has received offers from Miami, Florida State, Auburn, Maryland, and Louisville.
• #55 DE Matthew Pointer (Sr): Pointer led the team with 23 tackles for loss. He also had the second-most sacks (7.5) on the team, behind RJ Alphonse. Pointer has received an offer from FIU and is also considering Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee State.

2024 RESULTS – HOW THEY GOT HERE

Chaminade-Madonna 2024 Season Results

* – District Game
*** – Playoff Game

• 8/24 – St. John Bosco (CA), 34-27 (L)
• 8/30 – at Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach), 35-34 (OT) (L)
• 9/6 – American Heritage (Plantation), 48-45 (W)
• 9/12 – Miami Edison, 56-19 (W)*
• 9/19 – Miami Norland, 45-20 (W)
• 9/27 – at Western (Davie), 26-9 (W)
• 10/5 – at Monarch, (Coconut Creek) 37-8 (W)
• 10/11 – St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), 29-22 (W)
• 10/18 – Avant Garde (Hollywood), 56-0 (W)*
• 10/25 – Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), 62-17 (W)
• 11/15 – St. John Paul II (Boca Raton), 63-0 (W)***
• 11/22 – St. Andrew’s (Boca Raton), 70-0 (W)***
• 11/29 – Miami Edison, 49-6 (W)***
• 12/6 – Trinity Christian (Jacksonville), 35-6 (W)***

TEAM STATS

• Passing Yards: 3412
• Passing Yards per Game: 243.7
• Rushing Yards: 2951
• Rushing Yards per Game: 210.8
• Rushing Yards per Carry: 7.9
• Receiving Yards per Catch: 15.3
• Yards per Game: 454.6
• Tackles per Game: 55.9
• Sacks: 3.1
• Interceptions: 11
• Fumble Recoveries: 13
• Caused Fumbles: 6
• Punt Average: 37.0
• Kickoff Return Average: 24.8
• Punt Return Average: 18.6
• Average Score: 45.5

THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

This Class 1A state championship game will be a matchup between two of Florida’s top programs in the classification. Clearwater Central Catholic will try to overcome the loss of its starting quarterback and win its first state championship in program history. Chaminade-Madonna will try to secure its fourth consecutive state championship, continuing its dynasty in recent years as they look to win the last seven out of a state record nine consecutive appearances.

CCC’s chances of winning are significantly impacted by Newton’s absence. He accounted for over half of the team’s total offensive yards this season and has been a critical factor in CCC’s success. Barrett has big shoes to fill, but his experience in previous games could prove invaluable. CCC will need to rely on other offensive weapons, such as Cuono and Wright, to step up. The Marauders’ defense, led by Thomas and Richardson, will also need to have a strong performance to contain Chaminade-Madonna’s potent offense.

Chaminade-Madonna enters the game with a statistical advantage, averaging more yards and points per game than CCC. The Lions have a multi-faceted offense, with Chance leading the passing game and Cooper leading the rushing attack. Lopez will also be a key target for Chance, as he has proven to be a dangerous receiver. On defense, Chaminade-Madonna will look to Junius, Pointer, and Alphonse to pressure Barrett and disrupt CCC’s offensive rhythm.

The game is expected to go one of two ways – close and exciting – or potentially being a lopsided one. Both teams have talented players and are hungry for a win. The outcome could hinge on Barrett’s performance and whether CCC’s defense can contain Chaminade-Madonna’s strong offense.

PREDICTIONS

Josh’s Pick: Chaminade-Madonna
Chris’s Pick: Chaminade-Madonna
Reno’s Pick: Chaminade-Madonna
Massey Predictions (via On3): Chaminade-Madonna 42, Clearwater Central Catholic 17

*An asterisk (*) next to a year in the State Finals Appearances section indicates the team was the state champion that year