After just missing the title game for two-years straight as members of Class 5A in 2017 and 2018 and a disappointing first-round knockout in their return to 3A one year ago, Jacksonville’s Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors are getting ready to take on the Lions of Hollywood’s Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in the 2020 FHSAA Class 3A Football State Championship.
Neither team is a stranger to the title game or the pressure that comes with it. Both had terrific seasons, especially after early losses. Both teams have head coaches and assistants who have won a large number of titles. Both teams are ready to add one more.
Chaminade-Madonna (8-1, Region 4 champions) – Last Title: 2019
Led by head coach Dameon Jones,who has led Chaminade-Madonna since 2008, the Lions are 8-1 on the season and are coming off a tight 23-21 win in last week’s semifinal with Berkley Prep. Their only loss was in Week 2, 7-3 to Plantation American Heritage on September 18. In their eight wins, the average score was 39-13.
Road through the Postseason
In the playoffs, Chaminade-Madonna (the defending champions) defeated Somerset Academy Silver Palms 52-0, Calvary Christian of Fort Lauderdale 38-6, and Miami Edison 28-0 to get to the semifinal. On December 4, the Lions then held off Berkley Prep 23-21. Senior quarterback Jaylon Tolbert was 12 for 16 for 144 yards, and freshman Davion Gause rushed 17 times for 133 yards. All three Lions touchdowns in that semifinal game came on the ground.
Season Statistics
In nine games, quarterback Cole Gonzales has completed 88 of 131 passes (67%) for 1,179 yards, 10 touchdowns, and NO interceptions. His three biggest targets are seniors Michael Edwards and Joshua Jenkins and sophomore Edwin Joseph. Edwards has 16 catches for 288 yards and 4 TD’s while Jenkins has caught 23 passes for 283 yards and Joseph has 13 receptions for 127 yards. Junior Brock Lopez has also caught a touchdown pass, 1 of 7 receptions for 83 total yards.
The Lions love to run the ball. Senior Thaddius Franklin Jr has carried the pigskin 91 times, amassing 791 yards (8.7 yards per carry) and 4 touchdowns. He has topped 100 yards four times. Gause has run the ball 81 times for 762 yards and 3 TD’s with three 100-yard games, and sophomore Jonathan Harris has totaled 445 yards and 2 scores on 44 carries with one 100-yard game.
The Lions have averaged 30.7 points per game while allowing only 10.6. Their defense has 11 QB sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 11 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery according to MaxPreps. Junior Dylan Reed has compiled 37 tackles while Brian Dilworth has 26 and Jamaal Johnson has 22. Dilworth has picked off 6 passes, and junior Jeremiah McGill has intercepted 3 more.
MaxPreps Rankings
Entering play tonight, MaxPreps has the Lions ranked as the #43 team in the nation, #5 in all of Florida, #1 in Florida’s Class 3A, and #4 in the Miami area.
Trinity Christian (11-1, Region 1 champions) – Last Title: 2016
The Conquerors, led by head coach Verlon Dorminey in his 30th year, are 11-1 and coming off a 56-33 state semifinal final win over Trinity Catholic.
Trinity lost to Bolles in Week 1 then cruised through the regular season with seven consecutive wins. The defense allowed only single-digit points from Week 3 well into the playoffs, including a shutout of then #20-nationally-ranked American Heritage. That streak reached eight consecutive games.
Road through the postseason
The Conquerors defeated Baldwin 20-3 on November 13th, Episcopal 35-0 on November 20th, FSU High School 45-14 on November 27th, and Trinity Catholic 56-33 in the semifinal on December 4. Senior running back Kaleb Killian rushed for 190 yards and 5 touchdowns, and senior quarterback Jacory Jordan threw for 2 more, including an 80-yard bomb to junior L.J. Kelly in that semifinal barnburner in Ocala.
Jordan had another outstanding performance in the semifinal, throwing for 222 yards and two scores while completing 14 of 17 passes. His 80-yarder to Kelly was the biggest play of the game. He also ran for 109 yards to give himself 201 on the season with three touchdowns on the ground.
Season Statistics
Sophomore Treyuan Webb has amassed 837 yards on 123 carries (6.8 average) and scored 12 times on the ground in 10 games played. He saw only two snaps in the semifinal due to a sore ankle. Webb had surgery on Friday and will not play in the championship game.
Junior Christian Ellis stepped up to become a force on both sides of the ball: 25 carries, 183 yards, 3 TD’s; 40 tackles, 8 passes defended, 1 interception, and 3 fumble recoveries.
Killian now has 6 TD’s and 350 yards on 50 carries. Freshman Darnell Rogers has totaled 337 yards on 49 carries (6.9 average) and scored 6 times overall, including a 27-yarder against Trinity Catholic in which he broke four tackles on route to the end zone.
Overall, Jordan is now 95 for 180 through the air, good for 1,496 yards, 14 TD’s, and 5 INT’s. Senior Marcus Burke leads the team with 370 yards receiving on 21 catches (2 TD’s) in limited action for most of the season, and Kelly has caught 16 passes for 289 yards and two scores. Six receivers each have at least 13 catches and 169 yards. Junior Fred Highsmith leads them all with 5 touchdowns.
The Conquerors’ defense is among the very best in Florida and is receiving national attention, holding the opposition to 132 total points in 12 games, including that streak of 8 in row in which they held their opponents to single digits with three shutouts.
Lucious Lattimore, Caden Morrell, and Jahron Williams lead the team in tackles with 78, 67, and 50, respectively. The defense has sacked quarterbacks 33 times as part of 83 tackles for loss. Five players have 4 or more sacks, led by Jonathan Goddard’s 7. They have intercepted 11 passes and recovered 8 fumbles. Senior Corey Coley intercepted a pass in the semifinal, and he blocked his third extra point/field goal attempt of the season. Morrell intercepted a two-point conversion attempt, and only FHSAA rules prevented him from returning it all the way for two points.
MaxPreps Rankings
The Conquerors have averaged 28.2 points per game while allowing 11.0. With a full and healthy roster, they come in as the #49 team in the nation, #13 team in all of Florida, #2 in Class 3A, and #1 in Jacksonville according to MaxPreps.
What is on the Line
It is #1 versus #2 for the title in Class 3A.
With a win, the Conquerors and head coach Verlon Dorminey will earn their eighth state title and their fifth as members of Class 3A. The Conquerors won four straight titles from 2013-2016 and three previously (2002, 2003, 2010) as members of Florida’s Class 1A.
The Lions will try to earn their fourth consecutive 3A title and sixth overall. They won titles in 2003, 2005, 2017, 2018, and 2019, and they captured a national championship two years ago. A win tonight would make four straight championship seasons for Coach Dameon Jones and the Lions.
Trinity Christian Photos Courtesy TCA Football Fanzone Facebook
