Cardinal Newman football’s 17-14 win against Chaminade-Madonna in the Class 1A state championship game was stunning.
It’s arguably the biggest upset in the FHSAA state championship games since Berkeley Prep knocked off nationally ranked Miami Norland for the Class 2M title in 2023.
Not only is it Newman’s first state championship but it snaps Chaminade-Madonna four-year run of postseason dominance.
To truly appreciate how big of a win it is for Newman, it helps to understand exactly how good Chaminade-Madonna has been.
That’s the way it is with sports upsets. They require context.
Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson to become the boxing world heavyweight champion in 1990 is all the more impressive when you know that Tyson had won 37 in a row, including scoring stoppages in two of his previous three fights in less than 100 seconds.
The 1980 USA hockey “Miracle on Ice” win against the Soviet Union requires the knowledge that the Soviet Union had won gold in the previous four Olympics, won 27 of 29 and outscored opponents 175-44 in the Olympics from 1964-76.
Is Newman’s win against Chaminade on the level of those upsets?
No. But it was an upset.
Here’s a look at what Chaminade-Madonna has accomplished during its four-year title run.
2021
Final USA Today Super 25 ranking: No. 25 nationally
Chaminade-Madonna went 12-1, with the lone loss coming at American Heritage 26-24 in Week 2. An outstanding defensive squad led by All-American edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (currently at Ohio State), the Lions posted five shutouts — including a 21-0 win over Berkeley Prep in the state title game. Chaminade-Madonna finished its season by beating Arizona state champion Highland in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series in Las Vegas.
2022
Final USA Today Super 25 ranking: 9 nationally
The Lions went 13-1, with its lone loss coming against Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas in the season finale. Chaminade-Madonna outscored opponents 672-189 and throttled Clearwater Central Catholic 48-12 in the state championship. Junior quarterback Cedrick Bailey Jr. (North Carolina State) threw for 3,563 yards and 47 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) caught 20 touchdown passes this season.
2023
Final USA Today Super 25 ranking: 2 nationally
Chaminade-Madonna dominated all season with just two games being decided by eight points or less. During its seven games, the Lions outscored their opponents 401-7. Chaminade-Madonna routs Clearwater Central Catholic 56-0 in the state championship game, with Jeremiah Smith catching 13 passes for 183 yards and a score and Joshisa Trader (Miami) catching two touchdown passes. The Lions regional final was a 40-0 home win against Cardinal Newman.
2024
Final USA Today Super 25 ranking: 9 nationally
Chaminade-Madonna shockingly dropped their first two games — St. John Bosco (California) and Blanche Ely — by eight total points before ending the season on a 13-game win streak. The Lions beat Clearwater Central Catholic 42-7 in the state championship game. Derrek Cooper (Texas signee) led a rushing attack that had 3,125 yards and 40 touchdowns.
2025
Current USA Today Super 25 ranking: 16 nationally
The Lions came into the Class 1A state championship with a 10-2 record. The losses coming against St. Frances (Maryland), which is ranked No. 7 nationally, and St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked No. 9 nationally. The offense was paced by wide receivers Jasen Lopez (Florida State signee) and Denairius Gray (Kentucky signee) and Cooper.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cardinal Newman topples Florida dynasty with Chaminade-Madonna upset
Reporting by Jon Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
