Can Chaminade’s 1A Dominance Continue?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before the start of every season for the past decade, players, coaches and fans at Chaminade-Madonna Prep know that making vacation plans in November or December is pretty much out of the question.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under the direction of <strong>Dameon Jones</strong>, this Hollywood-based school has dominated Class 1A – winning seven state titles – four in a row in dominating fashion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a program that has not only made a name statewide, but they are regarded as one of the best in the country – producing elite talent like the nation's top college sophomore <strong>Jeremiah Smith</strong>, who has made a major impact at The Ohio State University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an assembly line of talent and superior coaching this is a team that came into this season with an amazing streak of nine consecutive state championship appearance, which is something that has never been done before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they have a number of young players on this year's roster, they will be overwhelming favorites to win another state title – a fifth in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions began the state playoffs with a 63-0 win against Boca Raton Saint John Paul and will play host on Friday to Miami Edison, a team they beat earlier this season in district play, 56-6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE PAST 10 YEARS</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 – 8-2.</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 – 13-2. State Title</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 – 14-0. State Title</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 – 13-1. State Title</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2021 – 12-1. State Title</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2020 – 8-2. State Runner Up</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2019 – 12-2. State Title</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2018 – 12-2. State Title</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2017 – 11-2. State Title</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2016 – 10-4. State Runner Up</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IF NOT CHAMINADE, THEN WHO?</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Lions should falter this season, what team has the talent to win in 1A. <strong>Clearwater Central Catholic</strong> (9-2) is a team that has been right there behind the Lions and are loaded up with talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman</strong> (8-3) has certainly played a challenging schedule and has come up with a few solid wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other programs that could break through include No. 1 seed &nbsp;<strong>Tampa Carrollwood Day</strong> (10-0), <strong>Boca Raton St. Andrew's Academy</strong> (10-1), <strong>Jacksonville Impact Christian</strong> (8-3), the always competitive <strong>Jacksonville Trinity Christian</strong> (7-4), talented <strong>Jacksonville University Christian</strong> (8-3), and two very much under-the-radar schools in <strong>Miami True North Classical Academy</strong> (9-2), a team the Lions would see in the Region 4-1A finals, and the surprising Barons of <strong>St. Petersburg Catholic </strong>(11-0).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WHICH PLAYERS ARE TURNING HEADS</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you follow <strong><em>Prep Redzone Florida </em></strong>year-round, you already know that we shine the spotlight on all athletes – statewide – throughout the course of a year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the state playoffs under way, we have some prospects that are grabbing the headline:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Gavyn Baker, LB, 5'8, 190, Sebastian River – 3.0 GPA. </strong>In 10 games this season, he had 61 tackles, 6.3 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and one fumble recovery.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/691756ec625db4376ce2b70b">https://access.qwikcut.com/highlights/691756ec625db4376ce2b70b</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2028 – [player_tooltip player_id='1870947' first='Johnathan' last='Cesar'], WR/DB, 5'10, 175, Delray American Heritage.</strong> Basketball prospect. Had a huge playoff game with 10 catches for 183 yards and 4 scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: </strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/23608968/Johnathan-cesar">https://www.hudl.com/profile/23608968/Johnathan-cesar</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 – Matthew Ford, Athlete, 6'2, 165, Rockledge – 3.4 GPA. </strong>This three-sport athlete had 22 catches for 556 yards and 7 touchdowns.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26892638/6913b349bc2272d60c031f7d">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/26892638/6913b349bc2272d60c031f7d</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Koren Griggs, DL, 6'1, 280, Port Charlotte. </strong>In leading his team to the state playoffs, this quality talent had 30+ tackles, numerous sacks, and pressures. Double teamed all year true run stopper.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19483263/Koren-Griggs">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19483263/Koren-Griggs</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Darryeon Jones, QB, 6'3, 220, Venice – 4.4 GPA. </strong>In the first round of the state playoffs, his 13 completions, 220 yards and four touchdowns in the first half were more than enough.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17954114/69188370a716d2aed3be2183">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17954114/69188370a716d2aed3be2183</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Brendan Krupp, WR, 5'11, 155, New Port Richey River Ridge. </strong>Junior season ended with 18 receptions, 2 touchdowns, 233 yards (12.9 yards per catch).<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19555249/690cfc41197f9dd5bd812c56">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19555249/690cfc41197f9dd5bd812c56</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2029 – Germari Lawton, CB/S, 5'8, 150, Belleview. </strong>What a tremendous freshman season for this quality prospect with 28 tackles, 8 pass break ups and 1 interception.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24005632/69080550295322328344b2c5">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24005632/69080550295322328344b2c5</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Kaleb “K2” McKinnon, WR/Athlete, 6'3, 195, Gainesville Eastside. </strong>Enjoyed a productive opening round state playoff game with six receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/21496318/Kaleb-Mckinnon">https://www.hudl.com/profile/21496318/Kaleb-Mckinnon</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1790476' first='Ethan' last='Phillips'], OLB, 6'0, 180, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep – 4.3 GPA. </strong>What a final season it was for this two-sport athlete with 17 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles and 5 fumbles recovered.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17761738/Ethan-Phillips">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17761738/Ethan-Phillips</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1395813' first='J'air' last='Speaks'], DE/LB, 5'9, 240, Parrish Community.</strong> It was a solid senior season with 31 solo 70 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 29 QB pressures, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception and 1 pass defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18236233/Jair-Speaks"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/profile/18236233/Jair-Speaks</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – Blake Thomas, LS/LB, 5'11, 195, Viera. </strong>Great season for this versatile football talent who put it all together as a long snapper and linebacker - 17 punt snaps, 2 tackles, 6 downed punts, 53 PAT/FG snaps. Linebacker Stats 93 tackles 48 solo, 7 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 caused fumbles, 3 pass deflections and 2 QB Hurries.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18075129/Blake-Thomas/highlights">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18075129/Blake-Thomas/highlights</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2027 – Zach Wassill, OL, 6'4, 290, Pensacola Catholic - 4.23 GPA. 29 ACT. 1310 SAT. </strong>In a dominating opening round state playoff win, he finished with 11 pancake blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19850279/6907c9746c4b96816ed13b24">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19850279/6907c9746c4b96816ed13b24</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 – [player_tooltip player_id='1610008' first='Tyson' last='Williams'], LB/SS, 6'2, 210, Groveland South Lake. </strong>Opened the state playoffs with a win and made a major contribution 14 tackles, 10 solos 2 tackles for loss, 1 pass break ups.<strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18501790/69189681a716d2aed3be57ff">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18501790/69189681a716d2aed3be57ff</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 PREP REDZONE FLORIDA STOCK UP EVENT. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida ">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida </a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->