By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer

HOLLYWOOD – When the Chaminade-Madonna football team hosted Monarch on Friday it had the makings for a marquee match-up.

The Lions offered a quick reminder of their ability to showcase a big play at any time.

That was clearly the difference in a weather-shortened 28-7 non-district victory on Friday.

All three of Chaminade’s offense scores in the first half came long running plays.

The first came after stopping Monarch on a fourth-down play at the Lions five-yard line. With rain beginning to fall, senior running back Derrek Cooper broke straight through the middle on Knights defensive line for a 95-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

Cooper finished with 127 yards on seven carries.

“The O-line did a tremendous job tonight,” said Chaminade-Madonna coach Dameon Jones. “They dominated up-front, and they opened some big holes. I have some athletic, fast guys back there and all they need is a crease.”

Junior Arwin Jackson was the beneficiary of a pair of scoring runs in the opening half. The first was 38 yards with 3:54 left in the first quarter for a 14-7 lead.

He answered that with 55.7 seconds left in the half with an 83-yard run for a touchdown. Cooper and Jackson combined for 252 yards running.

Monarch (3-3) tied the score at 7-7, on a six-yard run by sophomore back Keshawn Pascall just before the end of the first quarter.

The Lions (5-1) completed the scoring in the pouring rain with an interception return for a touchdown by senior defensing back Deveon Black with 10:34 left in the third quarter.

The game was called shortly thereafter due to lightning.  

The Lions will host Blanche Ely this Friday, while Monarch will host Coral Springs.

Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.