MIAMI, FLA. – Two of Florida’s high school football powerhouses, Chaminade-Madonna and St. Thomas Aquinas, will clash in a much-anticipated showdown this Friday at 7:00 p.m. on neutral ground at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of Florida International University.
Both teams enter this game on impressive streaks, Chaminade-Madonna (who’s labeled as the home team for this match) is on a ten-game home winning streak and St. Thomas Aquinas on a five-game road winning streak. One of those streaks is bound to end in this marquee matchup.
The Chaminade-Madonna Lions, currently ranked third in Florida by MaxPreps, will be looking to extend their hot form after a commanding 37-8 road victory over Monarch last Saturday. The Lions’ ground game was a standout, amassing 231 rushing yards, continuing a trend where they have rushed for at least 157 yards in three consecutive games.
Jaquari Lewis spearheaded their offensive assault, rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing for 108 yards and a touchdown. His dual-threat ability has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses all season.
Chaminade-Madonna’s victory improved their record to 5-2 after rebounding from an 0-2 start. They are peaking at the right time, having won five straight games. Adding even more intrigue, former Miami Central quarterback Bekkem Kritza, who transferred to Chaminade a little over a week ago, is expected to make his debut as the starting QB in Friday’s game. Kritza’s arrival could further bolster an already dynamic offense.
On the other side, the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders are coming off an explosive 64-0 win against Hollywood Hills, which saw them improve to 6-1. The Raiders have averaged an impressive 56 points per game over their last three matchups, with quarterback Andrew Indorf at the helm.
Indorf has been exceptional, throwing for 1,191 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just four interceptions this season. His most recent outing was particularly efficient, completing a perfect 7-for-7 passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown for three or more touchdowns in each of the last three games dating back to last season, making him a key figure in STA’s high-powered offense.
St. Thomas Aquinas’ defense has been just as imposing as their offense, sacking Hollywood Hills’ quarterback seven times last week, with Desmond James leading the charge with two sacks. Their relentless defensive front could present a significant challenge for Chaminade-Madonna’s run-heavy attack.
Both teams boast championship pedigrees, with St. Thomas Aquinas winning five straight state titles and Chaminade-Madonna claiming three straight.
As they prepare for Friday’s battle, the ground game may play a crucial role in deciding the outcome. Chaminade-Madonna has averaged 199.9 rushing yards per game this season, while STA has also been productive on the ground, averaging 170.4 rushing yards per game.
With two of Florida’s elite programs meeting head-to-head, Friday’s game promises to be a hard-fought contest between two teams looking to assert their dominance. This is a matchup not to be missed.
