WEST PALM BEACH, Fla – The Drive To 305 is officially complete. Cardinal Newman delivered a statement performance in the 1A state semifinals Friday Night, rolling past Carrollwood Day 48–33 to advance to next week’s state championship game against powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna at Pitbull Stadium in Miami
Carrollwood Day struck first when Brooklyn Maxey electrified Carrollwood’s sideline with a 99-yard kickoff return to open the game. But that didn’t shake the Crusaders. On the next kickoff, we saw the Patriots’ kicker slip and give Newman good field position.
Quarterback Jyron Hughley quickly found his rhythm, connecting with Jannaro Sumpter who took a screen pass to the house, tying the game at 7–7 with 10 minutes left in the first. From there, the night began to tilt in the Crusaders’ favor.
Newman defensive back Kahlil Gabaud jumped a route for a key interception, setting up a rushing touchdown by Phoenix Donghia for a 14–7 lead. Moments later, Carrollwood Day’s attempt to answer was cut short when Adam Balogoun-Ali produced a “user lurk” pick-six, jumping a pass deep in Newman territory to flip the game’s script entirely.
After another stop, Hughley connected with Leslie Mosley on a wild tip-drill touchdown, pushing the Crusaders ahead 28–7 with four minutes left in the half, a lead they carried into the break.
Hughley struck again early in the third quarter, ripping off a long run on the second play from scrimmage to extend the lead to 34–7. Carrollwood Day finally pieced together a sustained drive and punched in a score, though the tipped extra point left the margin at 34–13.
Newman responded immediately. On a fake jet sweep, Jyron Hughley found Mosley once again for another strike, widening the gap to 41–13 as the Crusaders continued to overpower the Patriots on both sides of the ball.
Carrollwood Day managed a pair of late touchdowns to trim it to a one-possession game at 41-33 with 1:40. But any hopes of a rally went out the window when Hughley broke free for a long touchdown run with 1:18 remaining, sealing the Crusaders’ trip to the state championship, and “sending them back to Tampa,” Hughley said.
Cardinal Newman now turns its attention to Chaminade-Madonna as it seeks to cap its postseason run with a title. For the Crusaders, one goal remains, and next Thursday, they’ll have their shot.
Cardinal Newman Vs Chaminade-Madonna
1A State Title – 12/11 – Pitbull Stadium, Miami, FL – 12:30 PM
One more.
