Cardinal Newman stuns No. 21 Chaminade-Madonna, 17-14: updates, highlights from Florida’s Class 1A state championship originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
MIAMI, Florida, Dec. 10 — They say you never forget the first time, and the unranked Cardinal Newman [West Palm Beach, FL] Crusaders made sure nobody would forget their first Florida state championship in football.
In a battle of David vs. one of Florida’s prep football Goliaths, the Crusaders came into this game just behind the Chaminade-Madonna [Hollywood, FL] Lions in the Sunshine State’s Class 1A order before slingshotting their way to the top of the rankings with a 17-14 victory.
With the win, the Crusaders took down a Lions’ squad that was ranked in The Sporting News Preseason Top 25. The Lions dropped out of the SN rankings following a 27-21 loss on October 31 to the current No. 8/SN No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Raiders – a team that will play for Florida’s Class 5A title later this evening.
But Chaminade-Madonna entered this game still ranked by six of the eight selectors that comprise The Sporting News Composite Rankings, good enough for a national No. 21 ranking on that list. They had also won four straight football state championships at various classifications.
The Lions will almost certainly fall completely out of the composite rankings after concluding their season at 11-3. Cardinal Newman, meanwhile, will head into the offseason wearing the crown as the king of Florida’s Class 1A ranks after finishing 12-3.
WATCH ON THE NFHS NETWORK:No. 21 Chaminade-Madonna [Hollywood, FL] Lions vs. Cardinal Newman [West Palm Beach, FL] Crusaders
__________
Refresh for updates
__________
End of fourth quarter: Cardinal Newman 17, Chaminade-Madonna 14
__________
CARDINAL NEWMAN 17, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 14
Chaminade-Madonna adds a touchdown with just 48 seconds to play. They’ll have to try the onside kick, but they’ve made this interesting. Can Cardinal Newman finish this off?
__________
Lions driving quickly to Cardinal Newman’s 2-yard line. They’re trying to make this interesting.
__________
With Cardinal Newman driving just under three minutes to play, Chaminade-Madonna forces a turnover. They’ve got to go about 90 yards, but it’s opened the door back up ever so slightly.
__________
CARDINAL NEWMAN 17, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 7
With just under seven minutes to play, Newman has a two-score lead over the heavily-favored Lions.
__________
End of the third quarter: Cardinal Newman 14, Chaminade-Madonna 7
They’ve got three quarters in the book, and there’s an upset brewing in Miami.
__________
CARDINAL NEWMAN 14, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 7
Ethan Holland finds the end zone for the Crusaders with 2:01 to play in the third quarter. This feels like a game that will go the distance.
__________
Cardinal Newman gets another stop on defense, and forces another field goal attempt by Chaminade-Madonna. They block it and take over possession. The Crusaders have a real shot today to pull an upset.
__________
The third quarter is under way!
__________
End of the second quarter: Cardinal Newman 7, Chaminade-Madonna 7
It’s all about the defenses in Miami as they head to the lockers tied at 7-all.
__________
CARDINAL NEWMAN 7, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 7
And the mighty Lions roar back at the Crusaders, tying this game up in the second quarter.
Back to back direct snaps to Derrek Cooper (@TexasFootball signee) get the Lions on the board
Chaminade-Madonna 7, Cardinal Newman 7 – 8:25 2Q pic.twitter.com/7tfNkLEVgI
— Nick Wilson (@NickWilsonUSAT) December 11, 2025
__________
CARDINAL NEWMAN 7, CHAMINADE-MADONNA 0
Jyron Hughley breaks into the open field down the left sideline, and he goes 69 yards for a touchdown for Cardinal Newman. This couldn’t be off to a better start for the Crusaders.
__________
Cardinal Newman gets the stop and forces a field goal. It’s no good, and the Crusaders have managed to go more than 12 minutes now without letting this high-powered Lions’ team get any points on the board. This is a formula for potential success so far for the underdog Crusaders.
__________
End of the first quarter: Cardinal Newman 0, Chaminade-Madonna 0
Two long drives ate up the first-quarter clock, and we’ll head to the second quarter with Chaminade-Madonna facing a third-and-goal.
__________
After a short drive by Chaminade-Madonna, Cardinal Newman showed some grit on their first drive, and they shaved nearly seven minutes off the clock. They didn’t score, but they flipped the field position. And if you’re not going to score, at least long drives that bleed the clock will shorten this game, and help Cardinal Newman keep this game from becoming a track meet.
__________
They are under way in Miami, Florida!
__________
Coming soon!
__________
Chaminade-Madonna vs. Cardinal Newman start time
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 11
- Start time: 12:30 p.m. EST local
The game between Chaminade-Madonna and Cardinal Newman is being played at Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Florida.
How can I watch Chaminade-Madonna vs. Cardinal Newman today?
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11
- WATCH ON THE NFHS NETWORK:No. 21 Chaminade-Madonna [Hollywood, FL] Lions vs. Cardinal Newman [West Palm Beach, FL] Crusaders
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF HEADLINES
