When Miami Edison plays host to Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna this evening (7:30) at the fabled “Mecca” of high school football – Traz Powell Stadium – the Red Raiders will be in a position to alter history.
This football program, which had certainly been one of the best on south Florida for many decades – starting as far backs as the 1950’s, are up against a team that has indeed met every challenge.
LIONS HAVE INDEED BEEN THERE,
AND DONE THAT!
What head coach Dameon Jones and his Lions are searching for is a fifth consecutive trip to the state title game. They are currently three-time defending state champions, who are starting to click on offense, which hurt in the loss to American Heritage Plantation, where they were held to a field goal in a 7-3 loss.
There are a number of elite prospects who are ready to step up – and have the experience to make things happen.
The Lions arrived at this game with that one lone setback to Plantation American Heritage. But with wins over defending 2A state champion Champagnat Catholic (27-14), Fort Myers Bishop Verot (21-6), impressive Clearwater Academy International (44-34), North Palm Beach Benjamin (41-7), Somerset Academy Silver Palms (52-0) and Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian (38-6).
MIAMI EDISON RELIVING GLORIOUS PAST
Coach Luther Campbell and his staff built a foundation last year – and then continued to add to that this season.
It’s no surprise that the Red Raiders are in this game. They are big, athletic and loaded with playmakers.
They have athletes – on both sides of the ball – that can impact any opponent. This is a solid football team that makes mistakes – and that is something that they MUST limit to win this game.
This run that this team is on reminds many of the teams in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s that had this school in the conversation when talking about the best.
The Red Raiders arrived at 4-1 – with wins over Homestead (46-20), Miami Norland (47-7), North Palm Beach Benjamin (54-14) and Boca Raton St. John Paul II (41-0). The only setback was a 14-0 loss to Miami Central. The two teams played just a half of football before the contest was called.
The winner of this game will play the winner of the Region 3 final between Tampa Berkeley Prep (6-1) and Lakeland Christian (7-2)
THE LIONS FILE
SCHOOL: Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna
HEAD COACH: Dameon Jones
2020 RECORD: 6-1
CLASSIFICATION: 3A
SOME PLAYERS TO WATCH
2021 – Jabez Adderson, OG
2023 – Samir Attasi, PK
2021 – David Babb, FS
2021 – River Brazil, OG
2022 – Kheylan Martin-Brown, OLB
2021 – Torrie Cox Jr., CB
2022 – Brian Dilworth, CB
2021 – Michael Edwards, S
2021 – Thaddius Franklin, RB
2021 – Byron Hall, DE
2023 – Jason Hammond, OL
2023 – Elvin Harris, OL
2021 – Marcus Harris, OT
2021 – Allan Haye Jr., DL
2022 – Kenyatta Jackson Jr., DE
2021 – Joshua Jenkins, WR
2022 – Jamaal Johnson, DE
2022 – Brady Kelly, QB
2022 – Jordan Lynch, LB
2021 – Malcolm Major, DT
2022 – Kheylan Martin-Brown, LB
2022 – Kalun-j Matthew, DT
2023 – British Mitchell, Athlete
2021 – Alex Paul, OC
2022 – Dylan Reid, LB
2021 – David Richardson, LS
2021 – Jaylon Tolbert, QB
2022 – Ryan Turner, CB
THE RED RAIDERS FILE
SCHOOL: Miami Edison
HEAD COACH: Luther Campbell
2020 RECORD: 4-1
CLASSIFICATION: 3A
SOME PLAYERS TO WATCH
2023 – Joshua Anderson, FS
2021 – Zackery Baldwin, CB
2022 – Kevin Bathelemor, DB
2021 – Livingston Benoit II, RB
2022 – Jeffrey Bonica, OT
2024 – Clifton Brown, CB
2021 – Malachi Butler, WR
2021 – Darius Chester, RB
2021 – Herron Eniste, S
2021 – Roscoe Gibson, WR
2022 – Leon Hart Jr., LB
2023 – Chadderick Hawkins, WR
2022 – Daniel Henry, WR
2021 – Kwame James, LB
2023 – Nathaniel Joseph, WR
2021 – Devonte Lee, OG
2022 – Elijah McCantos, CB
2021 – Keith Moore, QB
2022 – Francois Nolton, DE
2022 – Kayden Pierre, LB
2022 – Mazio Randall, DT
2022 – Daughtry Richardson, OT
2022 – Shomari Robinson, OG
2021 – Breyon Saintard, DE
2021 – Mike Sherrill, DB
2021 – Kevin Washington, LB
2022 – Dorean Williams, DB
OTHER LOCAL GAMES TODAY
In addition to the Edison-Chaminade showdown, there are some other games involving local teams.
8A
REGION 3
Miami Palmetto (4-1) vs. Treasure Coast (9-0) at Lawnwood Stadium (Fort Pierce), 7
They have scored 19 total points in two playoff games, so the Panthers figure to be ready for the Titans, who have not been a serious player in the post season until this year.
By beating Vero Beach, they got everyone’s attention.
Coach Mike Manasco and Palmetto need to get some more offense to go along with a solid defense that is carrying them right now.
The winner has either Orlando Boone or Vero Beach next Friday.
7A
Region 4
St. Thomas Aquinas (4-1) at Manatee (8-1)
With only that one loss to Cardinal Gibbons, the Raiders are now back on track and will face some competition from the Hurricanes on the road.
The defense that head coach Roger Harriott and St. Thomas has been playing lately is amazing and should be tough for Manatee to get anything consistent going.
The winner of the game will take on either the surprising Homestead Broncos (3-2) – with head coach Phillip Simpson and 9-2 Venice squad that has been tested this season and has one of the best quarterbacks in the state.
6A
REGION 4
Miami Central (4-1) at Naples (7-1).
We’ve been here before and it has not worked for Naples – and while the head coach Roland Smith and the Rockets head west – they have only played 10 quarters of football coming into this game.
Naples lost its opener 38-0 to unbeaten Palmetto Ridge, but has not looked back since.
Winner of this game either has Palmetto Ridge (9-0) or 7-2 Fort Myers Dunbar.
5A
REGION 4
American Heritage (Plantation) (7-2) vs. Rockledge (7-1).
After a huge win over three-time defending state champion Miami Northwestern, head coach Pat Surtain and his team now heads on the road to play a one loss Rockledge team.
While the Patriots are favored to win this game against a talented Raiders’ team, they will need to score on offense. They put a lot on that defense.
The winner moves on to play the winner of the Fort Myers Cypress Lake and Eau Gallie (6-1) contest.
4A
REGION 4
Cardinal Gibbons (5-1) at American Heritage (Delray) (4-3)
With huge wins over St. Thomas Aquinas and Gulliver Prep and a narrow loss to Plantation American Heritage, the Chiefs and head coach Matt Dubuc goes to Palm Beach County for this playoff game – and you can expect this team to be physical and stop the Stallions from making it an offensive show.
The winner will have a tough one next week – the winner of Tampa Catholic (7-2) and Cocoa (8-0), who is coached by former St. Thomas offensive coordinator Ryan Schneider.
2A
REGION 4
Community School of Naples (9-1) at Champagnat Catholic (8-2).
When the 2020 season began, there were a number of 2A schools that figured to stand in the way of head coach Hector Clavijo and his Lions getting back to defend their 2A state title. They are now just two wins from returning to the state title game for the fifth straight time.
To get back, they will have to beat Community School of Naples this week – and the winner of Seffner Christian (7-4) at St. Petersburg Northside Christian (6-5) next week.
For the past 50 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, nobody has evaluated more football talent than we have – and as we are in the midst of a pandemic like no other time before – we will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..