When it comes to regular season ending games, many schools across the state of Florida opt to take the week off or schedule a lesser opponent. Not two of the area’s top teams.
What No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, the six-time defending state champions, and 1A powerhouse Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, rated No. 3 in Miami-Dade and Broward, did last Friday night was save the best for last.
With the state playoffs two weeks away, these two national powers squared off in a four-quarter contest that indeed showcased not only the best high school football locally and statewide, but a national audience watched these programs bring the regular season to an end in style.
St. Thomas Aquinas moved to 9-1 with an exciting 27-21 win over the Lions, getting some revenge for last year’s loss in a game played at Florida International University.
From the start, you knew that these two powers who have 13 combined state titles over the past decade, would certainly put on a show as two of the premier coaches in Florida – Roger Harriott (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Dameon Jones (Chaminade-Madonna) unleashed talent in all classes, making big play after big play.
The Raiders came tearing into Friday's contest with eight straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 31 points), and they left with even more momentum.
Trailing 21-14, a St. Thomas defensive back Samari Howard interception led to a Quyis Daley 1-yard run tying the score with 23 seconds left in the third quarter. The scoring play was set up by a Mason Mallory 37-yard pass to Julius Jones to the Lions one.
Chaminade-Madonna (7-2) lost fumble on its next possession and that was followed by a 37-yard field goal by Johnny DiSalvatore early in the fourth quarter for a 24-21 lead.
After an exchange of punts, the Lions attempted a field goal to tie the score, but Jerimiyah Douglas came off the edge to negate the attempt.
The Raiders’ ensuing drive led to another DiSalvatore field goal, this time of 28 yards with 2:45 to play. It was his 10th field goal of the season.
The Aquinas (9-1) defense forced yet another turnover during the Lions final opportunity to rally.
Daniel Norman pulled the ball from Lions quarterback Malik Leonard’s hands and was recovered by Donovan Adras.
Chaminade opened the second half to take a 14-7 lead on a 1-yard run by Leonard. Mallory responded for Aquinas with a 65-yard run after juke step to escape a Lions defender tying the game at 14-14 late in the third quarter.
Despite the loss, the Lions still lead the series 8-5, that began when they first played Aquinas in 1963. Chaminade won last year’s meeting 29-22 after a 43-year hiatus.
Chaminade running back Derrek Cooper led all runners on the night with 100 yards on 14 carries.
Several Lions players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was freshman Malik Leonard, who threw for 313 yards on 21 of 34 attempts, and also punched in a pair of TDs on the ground. 117 of Leonard's passing yards were hauled in by Tromon Isaac Jr.
The Lions also featured some other impressive talent such as Jasen Lopez (2026, WR — 3-star committed to Florida State), Denairius Gray (2026, WR — 3-star committed to Kentucky) and 2026 kicking specialist Noah Sidan, who is headed to FIU.
St. Thomas Aquinas also had some amazing performers as well with two-way standout Justice Fitzpatrick (Georgia commit) making an impact on both sides of the ball.
The Raiders showcased prospects such as Mark Matthews (2027, OT), Zayden Gamble (2027, S), Dylan Steen (2026, OL — 3-star committed to Mississippi State) and a tremendous special teams – led by kicker Disalvator and punter Conrad Telerico, who actually was one of the most valuable players on the field.
Even though the scoreboard said there was a winner – there were no losers on this night. The nation had the chance to see two great and well coached programs that are both overwhelming favorites to bring home state titles again next month right here at Pitbull Stadium.
In addition to the Raiders and Lions, there were some other quality games in Week 11:
Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 1, North Lauderdale Somerset Prep 0 (Forfeit)
Cocoa Space Coast 20, Coral Springs Charter 6
Coconut Creek 35, Parkland Douglas 6
Coconut Creek Monarch 34, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 0
Coral Springs 51, Coral Springs Taravella 32
Fort Lauderdale 52, Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 22
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 35, Miramar 28
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 56, Deerfield Beach 0
Fort Lauderdale NSU University School 41, Miami Florida Christian 27
Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 26, Marathon 14
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 33, Melbourne Holy Trinity 30
Hallandale 13, Weston Cypress Bay 9
Hialeah Gardens 22, Miami Braddock 20
Hollywood McArthur 69, Miramar Everglades 0
Homestead Somerset Academy Silver Palms 53, Miami BridgePrep Village Green 13
Miami Archbishop Carroll 55, Boca Raton Olympic Heights 0
Miami Beach 24, Miami High 21
Miami Central 23, Miami Carol City 6
Miami Coral Reef 19, Doral Ronald Reagan 14
Miami Edison 40, Doral Academy 21
Miami Ferguson 38, Hialeah-Miami Lakes 0
Miami Immaculata LaSalle 31, Miami Dr. Krop 0
Miami Killian 44, Miami Belen Jesuit 0
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 26, Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace 8
Miami Palmer Trinity 14, Hialeah ABF 8
Miami Palmetto 20, Fort Myers Bishop Verot 10
Miami Ransom Everglades 44, Deerfield Beach Somerset Key 0
Miami Southridge 48, Homestead South Dade 3
Miami Springs 31, Westland Hialeah 7
Miami Sunset 14, Miami Coral Park 0
Miami True North 35, Miami Westminster Christian 6
Naples St. John Neumann 20, North Miami Beach 14
North Miami 21, Hialeah American 20
Oakland Park Northeast 16, Pompano Beach 14
Pembroke Pines Flanagan 46, Cooper City 6
Plantation 49, South Plantation 0
Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 48, West Palm Beach The King’s Academy 7
West Broward 35, Davie Western 7
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