In football, statements can be made on the field in any given game. And in Week 0, Chaminade-Madonna did just that.
Facing the Norland Vikings to kick off their 2026 season, the Lions cruised to a decisive 41-6 victory. Chaminade jumped out to a multi-score lead early in the 1st quarter, and it was never really close after that. Ahead of a jam-packed schedule over the remainder of the season, Saturday night was the perfect game for the Lions to lay a foundation to build upon going forward.
There is plenty to dive into from Saturday night’s game, so without further ado, it is time for another postgame recap!
Brady Quinn Shines in Chaminade Debut
One of the keys to Chaminade’s 2026 season is quarterback Brady Quinn. And if Saturday’s game against Norland is any indication, the Lions’ offense is about to have a very good season.
Notching four touchdowns on the night, Quinn displayed a multifaceted game as a player. Through the air, Quinn showed zero fear in attacking the middle of the field or deep down the sidelines. He showed great touch and accuracy in key situations, especially near the red zone. In the quick game, the quarterback was decisive and on-time to his wideouts. And when pressured, Quinn kept his eyes downfield and found a way to keep drives alive.
The most impressive part of Quinn’s game tonight, though, was his running ability. Quinn showed good speed and an ability to get downhill once in space. On back-to-back runs, the quarterback outran multiple defenders, which was followed by him running over a defender for a touchdown. Quinn’s passing ability is well known, but he showed the rushing ability of a difference-maker on Saturday night.
For a first outing, Quinn was very impressive from an overall perspective. He looks the part of an upper-echelon quarterback that should be able to take advantage of his surroundings. As he progresses throughout the 2026 season, expect Quinn to continue to improve and have more games just like this.
Chaminade’s Weapons Are Unleashed
While Quinn was a main distributor and key contributor for the Chaminade Lions on Saturday, he was bolstered by the production of his surrounding weapons on offense.
Tromon Issac Jr., one of the better wideouts in the state and the 2028 class, notched two touchdowns against the Norland Vikings. He was elusive in space, got downhill quickly once getting the ball, and showed strong hands on multiple occasions. On both of his touchdown receptions, Isaac Jr. showed off the skill set that makes him one of the best players at his position.
Armani Strong, a Florida commit, showed some impressive hands and an upper-level ability to play through contact. Fellow wideout Kedarius Rhaney, a 2029 recruit, looked highly explosive and had one of the best plays of the day. Catching a pass near the sideline, Rhaney shook the defender and raced down the sideline for a huge touchdown that helped seal the game. Peter Pierre contributed a catch to the winning effort, snagging a perfectly placed ball from Brady Quinn down the sideline before halftime.
At running back, Amos Bradford was highly impressive for Chaminade. The Purdue commit showed impressive contact balance and elusiveness, while also displaying speed that helped him race into the end zone for a touchdown. Nakia Lambright notched a touchdown of his own, showing a good mix of speed and strength. Clinton Jean-Pierre showed impressive vision and burst at a level that could be impactful for the Lions all season long.
If there is one thing that should be a strength for Chaminade this season, it is their offensive skill talent. The Lions have the ability to rely on different players in different weeks and not lose much of a step. Alongside Brady Quinn, Chaminade’s skill position talent laid the first brick of their foundation for the 2026 season. How they build upon it going forward will be very exciting to see.
Chaminade’s Defenders Rise to the Occasion
While the offense will get most of the headlines from this game, the defense was just as impressive for the Chaminade Lions.
At the top of the list is defensive back Derrick Jones Jr., a 2029 commit. The cornerback erased receivers on multiple plays, closing windows in very quick order. He was physical, moved with ease down the field, and ensured that he did not get called for penalties. Right alongside Jones Jr. was Kellan Alexander, a 2028 prospect. The linebacker erased multiple plays against Norland, which included a clutch tackle in space on a 4th down play. Alexander showed great speed and instincts, along with the ability to finish plays.
Jones and Alexander were not alone in making plays for the Lions’ defense, though.
John Gay, a Notre Dame commit, caused two pass breakups and was consistently lockdown in coverage. Dwayne Ray III, a 2028 defensive back, had one of the loudest hits of the night to force an incomplete pass. Peter Pierre consistently created pressure on the quarterback, forcing him off of his spot and helping to give Chaminade the ball back. Even Michael Millar, a reserve cornerback for the Lions, made two impressive plays in coverage late in the game.
With so many players departing this offseason, the Chaminade defense was always going to have to rely on young talent in 2026. And truthfully, how Chaminade’s defenders continue to progress and improve over the course of the year will likely set their ceiling as a team. If Week 0 is any indication, those players are more than able to step up to the task for the Lions.
Other Notes
- When he had protection late in the game, I was impressed by the arm strength of Norland quarterback Russell Britton. His touchdown throw in the 4th quarter had some legit speed to it, and it was perfectly placed onto his receiver. Moving beyond this game, I think Britton has the potential to do some great things in 2026.
- Dorian Bentley, a Norland defensive back, had a pass breakup and had a few other good reps. He was not perfect, but I was impressed with his competitiveness all night. I am interested to see how he progresses after facing a team like Chaminade.
- Ayden Stiefel had some impressive reps for Chaminade on the defensive line. He should be able to play a key role for the Lions in 2026.
