Chaminade-Madonna squeaks out win over Keys Gate

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The Chaminade-Madonna Lions played a nail bitter this yesterday afternoon as they faced the Keys Gate Knights. After having to play without starting quarterback Henry Colombi, who suffered a minor sprain to his knee joint during last week’s win over North Marion, the Lions were forced to start sophomore Daelen Menard.

This game was a young quarterback’s match-up as Keys Gate brought in 2021 quarterback Torey Morrison and Chaminade-Madonna had Menard in the pocket, making his first big start of the season after the Colombi injury.

The first quarter was rocky. Menard started off a little rocky as he was picked off by Deaundre Wynter which led to a Chaminade fumble recovery by Keondre White. The turnover set the Lions at their 45-yard line. not much happened their Daelen Menard who threw a pick six to Deaundre Wynter which lead to a Chaminade-Madonna fumble recovery by Keondre White which left Chaminade at their 45 and eventually led to a Chaminade Touchdown ran in by Shaun Shivers. Moments later, Shaun Shivers ran the ball to the back of the end zone, giving Chaminade an early lead over Keys Gate.

Keys Gate started it off in the second quarter rushing for 70 yards.The Knights drove the ball down the field and scored. After the missed extra point, the Knights’ touchdown put the score at 7-6 Chaminade.

Chaminade quickly responded to the Keys Gate touchdown with a pass from Daelen Menard to Xavier Williams putting the score at 14-6 but they weren’t done there. Shaun Shivers ran 63 yards on a punt return to leave the Lions at their 18-yard line which lead to a touchdown hauled by Keondre White.

Keys Gate responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass with 31seconds left in the first half as Torey Morrison connected with a wide open Angelo Gonzales. The Knights were able to convert the two-point conversion making the score 21-14 Chaminade at the half.

The third quarter was back and forth back and forward between the Lions and the Knights. Things wouldn’t pick up until the fourth quarter.

The Lions had a 30-yard pass from Daelen Menard to Shaun Shivers to put them at their 10-yard line. Shaun Shivers ran it to their 1-yard line and on the next play, Menard took it himself into the end zone. After the quarterback sneak touchdown, Chaminade led 28-14. from their which lead to Daelen Menard running it in from their 1-yard line for a touchdown putting the score at 28-14.

Keys Gate responded with a touchdown pass from Torey Morrison to Angelo Gonzales. The passing touchdown would be the final scoring play of the game as Chaminade held onto win 28=21, despite a late run by the Knights.

QUOTABLE: “We’ve come a long way.” said Senior Offensive Lineman Steve Jean Baptiste, “We could have done better but we were running and passing a lot more.”

WHAT’S NEXT: The Keys Gate Knights will be traveling to Monsignor Pace High School for a district match vs the Monsignor Pace Spartans. The Chaminade-Madonna Lions will be traveling to Flanigan High School to face the Falcons.