Even in a game shortened by lightning, the Week 1 matchup between Chaminade and Monarch did not disappoint.
Both the Lions and Knights put up plenty of points, providing excitement on a play-by-play basis. Star players showed out, and potential breakout candidates began their 2026 seasons on a strong note. And even while the scoreboard may say otherwise, there were some positives on the defensive side of the ball.
Without further ado, it is time to recap Chaminade’s 49-22 victory over Monarch
Chaminade’s Offense Carries the Weight
If it was not obvious already, Chaminade’s offense is a major strength for the team in 2026.
Quarterback Brady Quinn was superb once again, passing for five touchdowns and living up to his billing as one of the best quarterbacks in the state. Quinn navigated the pocket at a high level, displayed great touch/accuracy, and showed the arm strength to hit tight windows. He extended plays, hit deep passes, and was in full command of the offense.
Just like Week 0, Quinn’s weapons showed out for him in a major way. Kedarius Rhaney caught another deep touchdown, while Armani Strong made a wildy impressive leaping grab for a touchdown of his own. Ah’mari Stevens was electric all game long, catching a touchdown pass while also creating multiple chunk gains on designed touches. Tromon Isaac Jr. notched another touchdown and was superb after the catch, especially in the first half of the game. Peter Pierre, along with being a difference maker on defense (more on that shortly), was a tour de force on offense for Chaminade. Pierre showed off impressive speed in the open field on multiple occasions, one of which was a long touchdown to open up the 2nd half.
It was not just the passing attack that was rolling for the Lions, though.
Nakia Lambright Jr. had some nice runs, but it was Amos Bradford who showed out for Chaminade against Monarch. Posting two touchdowns in the game, Bradford ran with the burst, balance, and vision of a high-level running back. He was decisive and quick in his movement, never hesitating on any carry that he received. Bradford’s efforts made Monarch respect the rushing attack, and as a result, Quinn and his weapons went to work all night long.
After two weeks and one regular season week, Chaminade’s passing attack looks to be one of the better ones in Florida. They have the weapons to beat anybody, and through two games, they are executing at an extremely high level.
Now, a real-deal test awaits the Lions in California powerhouse Sierra Canyon. If Chaminade can pass that test, the sky is the limit for them in 2026.
Monarch’s Offense Punches Back
Despite being on the losing side of things, Monarch’s offensive talent was on full display against Chaminade on Thursday night.
Quarterback Jeremiah Milcent, a 2028 prospect, was in full command all night. His pocket presence was elite, and he knew exactly when to take off as a runner. He threw some perfect passes deep down the field, was most accurate in the intermediate area, and was very good throwing on the move. It was through the efforts of the quarterback that Monarch kept the game relatively close, and he provided a great foundation to build upon in the coming weeks.
Keshawn Paschall, the 2028 running back prospect, did not have an overwhelming game against Chaminade. However, he ran with nice power, rarely went down on first contact, and created some chunk gains as both a runner and a pass catcher.
At wideout, the trio of Bryan Bynes, Chris Cortinas, and Sanjae Fisher was impressive once again. Fisher had an impressive contested catch early in the game and a nice diving catch near the end of the first half. Whenever Monarch needs him, the Charlotte commit makes a great play. Bynes, a fellow 2027 prospect, displayed great speed and sure-handedness once again. He caught another touchdown and had a few key receptions for Monarch against Chaminade; I am very excited to see him continue being a key member of the offense.
The main star of the show at wideout, though, was Chris Cortinas. Whether it was diving catches, deep touchdowns where he outran the defense, or everything in between, the Charlotte commit showed some special talent at the position. Facing some very, very talented Chaminade defensive backs, Cortinas never looked out of place for a second. Through Week 0 and Week 1, Cortinas has been one of the best overall players I have watched on any team. He is a player who deserves much more attention and is setting himself up for a huge 2026 season.
Chaminade is not Monarch’s last major test of the 2026 season; they still have games against St. Thomas Aquinas, West Boca, and other talented opponents. Opposing teams should not overlook the Knights, though. As they continue to progress, Monarch has the talent and upside to shock some teams over the rest of 2026. They are a sleeper team to keep an eye on.
The Defensive Talent Flashes on Both Sides
In a game with 71 combined points, defense was not the main calling card for either team. However, both Monarch and Chaminade had some players who stood out for good reasons on the defensive side of the ball.
Starting with the Lions, Alexander Beltran and Peter Pierre were highly disruptive all night long. While not registering sacks, both players were using impressive speed off the edge, rushing the opposing quarterback and forcing him to make a play quickly. Jeremiah Milcent made plenty of plays in those situations, but on the times he did not, Beltran and Pierre helped get the Monarch offense off the field. Defensive tackles QuZion Warner and Ron’Christopher Gonzales had great reps on the interior defensive line, too.
In the secondary, Notre Dame commit John Gay had multiple shutdown reps in the passing game, as did rising 2029 star Derrick Jones Jr. and Jacarri Watson. Angelo Smith, an Ohio State commit, was highly effective as a tackler and was sticky in coverage when targeted. He may have given up some catches, but Smith shut down any opportunity for his opponent to create extra yardage against him.
For Monarch, Gabriele Scarsini had an interception before the officials overruled the call. Defensive end Aiden Davey had some great reps on the defensive line, continuing a great start to his 2026 season. And in the secondary, Khaleb Mack had two more pass breakups, one of which was in a key situation in the red zone. Against both Spanish River and Chaminade, Mack has been fearless against top-level wideouts and has made multiple plays. I am very impressed with him as a player, and as the season progresses, he should be able to turn plenty of heads.
What’s Next?
Monarch will welcome Miramar for a Week 2 home game, while Chaminade’s Week 2 matchup is against California powerhouse Sierra Canyon in the Broward County National High School Football Showcase.
