TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – It was the battle of the old vs. the new in the 2021 FHSAA Class 3A State Championship Game at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee on Friday night as Chaminade-Madonna was making its sixth straight Class 3A state championship game appearance while Berkeley Prep was making its first-ever appearance in a state championship game in school history.
In the end, Chaminade-Madonna (11-1) was too much for Berkeley Prep (12-1) as the Lions pitched a shutout to get the Lions’ fourth state championship in the last five years while appearing in their sixth straight state championship with a 21-0 victory over the Buccaneers.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
CHAMINADE-MADONNA DEFENSE LIGHTS OUT
The Lions’ defense played a light’s out game against Berkeley Prep being led by UCF commit Jammal Johnson and Ohio State commit Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Chaminade’s defense not giving any room for Berkeley’s run game so far. 3 and out for the Bucs. #flhsfb pic.twitter.com/VfhU1ZDwqo
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 11, 2021
Johnson finished the night with seven total tackles (three assists, four solo) along with one sack, one-and-half tackles for loss while Jackson collected six tackles (three assists, three solo) with one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries.
Chaminade’s defense continues to smoother Berkeley’s offense. Another Bucs punt coming. #flhsfb pic.twitter.com/lVTA6lwgeO
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 11, 2021
As such Chaminade-Madonna head coach Dameon Jones mentioned multiple times how his coaches handled the preparation of the defense this season after the game and the overall state line shows for the Lions.
In the game the Lions finished with 48 total tackles (18 solo, 30 assists), three sacks, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one interception that came late in the game when Berkeley Prep was forced to pass after the Lion had shut the run game down, three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.
And to further solidify just how great the defense was, the Lion held the Buccaneers to 61 total yards of offense with 31 coming on the ground and 30 through the air.
OFFENSE A SHINING POINT AS WELL
If there was another dominating stat for the night with Chaminade-Madonna it was the fact that they put up 433 total yards of offense against Berkeley Prep.
Sophomore quarterback Cedrick Bailey had a solid night in the game going 12-of-17 for 154 yards and a touchdown on the night while running back Davion Gause busted out on the ground with 199 yards on 26 carries and scoring two touchdowns.
Touchdown Chaminade! Davion Gause in from 2 yards out! #flhsfb pic.twitter.com/SVWR871SSp
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 11, 2021
Touchdown Chaminade! Davion Gause in from 22 yards! pic.twitter.com/1azWzBvjv4
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 11, 2021
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith hauled in five catches for 154 yards and a touchdown in leading the Lions to the state championship.
Nice pass from Cedrick Bailey to Jeremiah Smith for a Chaminade 1st down #flhsfb pic.twitter.com/i9ccZYKTAj
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 11, 2021
Touchdown Chaminade…. Cedrick Bailey to Jeremiah Smith for 33 yards! #flhsfb pic.twitter.com/lRVAF2k2Zk
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 11, 2021
LUCKY SIXES
Another thing to take away from this game is the fact that things seem to be a lucky six for the Lions.
The first of the lucky sixes as the win for Chaminade-Madonna over Berkeley Prep claimed the Lions’ sixth overall state championship in school history.
The second of the lucky sixes was the fact this was the Lions’ sixth straight state championship appearance.
Chaminade-Madonna hoisting up the 2021 @FHSAA Class 3A State Championship Trophy! #flhsfb pic.twitter.com/UaH5r5IxAL
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 11, 2021
The third of the lucky sixes is the fact that head coach Dameon Jones has been the head coach for Chaminade-Madonna for the last six seasons.
All those things do come in sixes – the lucky sixes – were the lucky things that came together in the win.
