On Friday night, Chaminade and Cardinal Newman are set to meet in a game with massive implications!

In a rematch of last year’s FHSAA Class 1A championship game, the Lions and Crusaders are both in prime contention for spots in this year’s Open Division. Both teams have high-level talent at almost every possible position and have shown that they are capable of competing with some of the best teams in Florida.

It is a game that you will not want to miss, and as always, I have you covered with the game preview! Without further ado, let us dive into it!

Players to Watch

• Peter Pierre, ATH, Chaminade: One of the best overall Class of 2028 players in Florida, Peter Pierre has the talent and skill to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Pierre has 195 yards and a touchdown as a receiver, and he had 49 yards against St. Thomas Aquinas last week. Defensively, Pierre has 18 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Possessing impressive overall athleticism, speed, and strength, Pierre will be a very key player for the Lions against Cardinal Newman.
• Brady Quinn, QB, Chaminade: When it comes to Chaminade’s offense, Brady Quinn is extremely crucial to its success. Through six games, the quarterback has thrown for at least 200 yards or multiple touchdowns in four games. Quinn has shown impressive accuracy and arm strength, especially when attacking deeper down the field. As a runner, Quinn has added two touchdowns this season, with his 88 yards against St. Thomas Aquinas being a season high. Facing a tough Cardinal Newman defense, the Lions will need their star quarterback at his best.
• QuZion Warner, DL, Chaminade: Against a Cardinal Newman team that will look to run the ball often, QuZion Warner is a key piece for the Chaminade defense. Warner, a 2028 prospect, is credited with 28 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks this season. Warner plays with power and quickness, finding ways to blow up run plays against all types of offensive linemen. He has raised his game to match up against any opponent, and the Lions will need him to do that once again on Friday night.
• Jannarro Sumpter, ATH, Cardinal Newman: In 2026, the Cardinal Newman offense has flowed through Janarro Sumpter, and for good reason. On 85 touches, the running back has 637 yards and 11 touchdowns. Through the air, Sumpter has a touchdown and 34 yards on four receptions. The senior has shined on defense as well for the Crusaders; Sumpter has 12 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a pass breakup. Sumpter is crucial for Cardinal Newman’s success against Chaminade, regardless of what side of the ball he is playing.
• Justin Barerra, WR, Cardinal Newman: When the Crusaders air the ball out, Justin Barerra is a key weapon for quarterback Pedro Martinez Jr. all over the field. On 26 receptions, Barerra has 263 yards and five touchdowns. He is coming off of his best game of the season against Atlantic, where he posted 70 yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. Having the route-running and speed to do damage to all levels of the field, Barerra will need to be at his best against a very tough Chaminade secondary.
• Ty Kirkpatrick, ATH, Cardinal Newman: While he has done some damage as a pass catcher this season, Ty Kirkpatrick has found most of his success on defense this season. Through six games this season, the edge rusher has 24 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. Kirkpatrick plays with power on a consistent basis, rarely getting knocked off his spot in the run game or on passing downs. Facing a Chaminade team that can be great on the ground or through the air, Kirkpatrick will have to play a key role for Cardinal Newman to help shut down the Lions.

Keys to Victory: Chaminade-Madonna

• Get the Offensive Weapons Rolling Early: When Chaminade is playing at its best, they are finding explosives on offense and getting their weapons involved constantly. To defeat Cardinal Newman, the Lions will have to start fast in this regard on Friday night. Whether it is Peter Pierre, Tromon Isaac Jr., or Armani Strong, Chaminade needs to get the ball to their weapons in space and let them make plays. Brady Quinn needs to take some shots down the field early in the game, allowing any of his standout wideouts to have a chance to make a big play. The Lions will obviously need to have some form of balance on offense, and they have the rushing attack to make it work. But to secure victory in a convincing fashion, Chaminade needs to emphasize getting its offensive weapons rolling early.
• Win the Line of Scrimmage on Defense: Cardinal Newman has the talent and skill to attack any defense, whether through the air or on the ground. And while Chaminade has the defensive skill to compete with the Crusaders at every level, their best path to victory is winning the line of scrimmage on defense. The Lions need to generate a consistent push from the interior and win their battles on the edges. Chaminade will need great games from the likes of Peter Pierre, Alexander Beltran, and QuZion Warner in this regard. Whether it is eliminating big plays from their opponent or creating big plays on defense themselves, Chaminade’s play in the trenches will help decide the ultimate outcome of this game.

Keys to Victory: Cardinal Newman

• Find Footing in the Passing Game: Finding success in the passing game is key for every team, but for Cardinal Newman, it is imperative in their matchup against Chaminade. It is likely that the Lions will key in on the Crusaders’ run game on Friday night, which will give open up opportunities in the passing game. Pedro Martinez Jr. will have to execute at a high level, while the likes of Justin Barerra and Logan Stepp will have to find ways to get open consistently. How Cardinal Newman fares in this area of the game will likely have a major impact on the final result.
• Pressure Chaminade Early and Often: What is the best way to disrupt any high-level passing attack? Pressuring the quarterback early and often. Cardinal Newman needs to get after Chaminade early in the game, especially on key 3rd downs. The Crusaders will not only need high-level play from defensive linemen like Ty Kirkpatrick, but will need secondary players like Kamden Giles and Cruz Caldwell to hold up against some of the best players in the state. Cardinal Newman has the talent to get the job done, but their execution will be a key thing to watch on Friday night.