PAHOKEE — Cardinal Newman running back Phoenix Donghia is built for Friday nights in the Muck.
Donghia’s sprinted hurdled and bulldozed his way to a three-touchdown performance against Pahokee on Sept. 12, punctuating a 26-10 victory by the Crusaders.
Cardinal Newman head coach Jack Daniels remains undefeated against the Blue Devils.
“(Quarterback Jyron Hughley) had a little injury going on, so our game plan was to pound it . . . and they couldn’t stop it,” Donghia said.
Cardinal Newman’s run-heavy attack was meant to take things easy on their dual-threat quarterback.
So this time around, Donghia took the driver’s seat in what he calls “the best duo in the state of Florida” and Newman’s offense leaned comfortably on the churning legs of their seasoned running back.
“They didn’t want Jyron to run, so they were kind of keying on him not coming up the field,” Daniels said. “We were able to gas them with Phoenix up the middle. Our O-line played great, and Phoenix ran the ball great.”
The backfield star is up to nine touchdowns on the year after Friday night.
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Donghia’s first score of the night, a 12-yard burst, equalized Pahokee’s first strike. Offensive linemen Brayden Charney and Ty Kirkpatrick, both former teammates, helped create the gaping hole on the left-hand side to make way.
“Brayden, he was my guy at Benjamin when I transferred, so we have great chemistry,” Donghia said.
Donghia’s second touchdown was his favorite, a five-yard score in which he was met at the line by a Pahokee defender, whom he promptly careened off of as his body crossed the goal-line.
“Endzone, right there,” Donghia said with a grin, pointing toward the spot of his score. “I kind of jumped over the guy a little bit and that was a momentum-changer in the game. Running behind my O-line making it possible for me and I’m truly blessed for that.”His third score came on a 10-yard run that felt as if it cinched the top-five matchup in Newman’s favor.
And speaking of top five, Donghia had words for the rankings . . . and for the team sitting atop them.
“We’re coming for West Boca,” he said simply.
The Crusaders will host West Boca Raton in a mouthwatering matchup for high school football fans on Oct.17, but until then, it’s one game at a time. Up next is Jesuit for the start of a four-game road trip.
Alex Peterman covers high school sports for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Phoenix Donghia’s 3 touchdowns lead Cardinal Newman football over Pahokee in the Muck
Reporting by Alexander Peterman, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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