By Dave Brousseau
COCONUT CREEK – Chaminade-Madonna football entered Friday’s regular season finale against Coconut Creek as an opportunity to ensure its placement into the Open Division Championship playoffs.
Despite the lengthy inclement weather, the Lions used a dominating run game led by Amos Bradford’s season-high of 17 carries and 142 yards rushing, while equaling a season-high two touchdowns to defeat the Cougars 34-7.
With the victory, the Lion’s resume looks inviting to compete for the inaugural “Open Division” title. Their only two losses came to nationally ranked teams in No. 4 Sierra Canyon (Ca.) and No. 1 ranked St. Thomas Aquinas.
Already up 14-0 in the second quarter, Bradford added scoring runs of 9 and 15 yards. It was the senior’s second consecutive game with a pair of touchdowns and fourth overall time on the season.
In addition to Bradford, Clinton Jean-Pierre, Nakia Lambright Jr. and Brady Quinn combined for 154 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions (8-2).
“It’s hard to throw the ball or do anything when it’s coming down rain, but that’s football,” said Chaminade-Madonna coach Dameon Jones. “We have three top notch running backs that can take it to the house any given time. Bradford’s been killing it all year. He’s dealing with an injury and he fought through it. I asked him to go back in, dealing with pain and hit that long run afterwards.”
Bradford was pleased with his performance against Creek.
“I felt like I played a great game today, coming off strong even though with my injury,” said Bradford, who’s been nursing right shoulder pain. “I put the team on my back and scored for the boys.”
The Cougars (7-2) only touchdown came on a fumble return by Malik Lane in the third quarter that cut the deficit to 27-7.
Coconut Creek had multiple opportunities to cut further into the Chaminade lead with the ball inside the Lions 10 on two occasions but failed to produce any points.
The Lions defense held the Cougars offense to 108 yards total yards.
“We made some adjustments at the half, but still didn’t do enough,” said Coconut Creek coach Christopher Yeargin. “We’ didn’t come to play in the first half even with the weather. I told the guys to play like it wasn’t storming and we didn’t.
That’s the difference in the game.”
The Cougars will complete a suspended game against Archbishop McCarthy at home this Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game will resume play in the third quarter with Creek leading 27-17.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and is a longtime BCAA Correspondent. He was recently inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.