Nobody expected it. Honestly, if you were sitting in the stands at Pitbull Stadium on that Thursday in December, you probably felt like you were watching a movie script play out in real-time. For a decade, Chaminade-Madonna had basically owned the Florida high school football scene. They were the four-time reigning state champs. They were ranked No. 15 in the entire nation. And then came the Cardinal Newman football game that changed everything.
The Crusaders didn't just win; they snatched the Class 1A state championship with a 17-14 upset that left people's jaws on the floor. It was the first state title in the program's history.
How the Crusaders Pulled Off the Impossible
Football is a game of momentum, but this particular Cardinal Newman football game was a masterclass in grit. The first quarter was a scoreless slugfest. Imagine two heavyweights just trading body blows without anyone hitting the canvas. That was the vibe.
Then, Jyron Hughley happened.
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Hughley, the West Virginia commit, took a snap in the second quarter and just... went. He exploded up the middle and didn't stop until 69 yards later. Seeing a quarterback outrun a secondary like Chaminade’s is something else. It put the Crusaders up 7-0.
But Chaminade-Madonna isn't a powerhouse for nothing. They fought back to tie it 7-7 by halftime with a 1-yard plunge from Derrek Cooper, who is heading to Texas. It felt like the "inevitable" comeback was starting. Most people figured the Lions would pull away in the second half like they always do.
They were wrong.
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The Stats and the Stars of the Title Run
If you look at the numbers, this wasn't just a lucky break. It was a calculated, defensive masterpiece orchestrated by Coach Jack Daniels. The Crusaders' defense was relentless.
- Adam Balogoun-Ali: The Auburn-bound linebacker was a human heat-seeking missile. He finished the season with 117 tackles. In this game, he was everywhere.
- Nathaniel Parks: People forget the kicker until the game is on the line. Parks nailed a 36-yard field goal with 6:36 left in the fourth quarter. Those three points were the difference.
- Phoenix Donghia: The James Madison signee was the engine of the offense all year, racking up over 1,300 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. He didn't find the end zone in the final, but his "downhill" running style wore the Lions down.
It’s kinda wild when you think about the pressure. Chaminade-Madonna had a freshman phenom quarterback, Malik Leonard, who had thrown for over 2,700 yards in the season. Newman's defense kept him uncomfortable all night.
A Tale of Two Newmans
It's worth mentioning—because it confuses people all the time—that there are two powerhouse schools with this name. While the West Palm Beach Crusaders were celebrating their historic win, the Cardinal Newman Cardinals over in Santa Rosa, California, were having their own massive season.
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The California Newman team went 11-2, tearing through their schedule until they hit the NCS Division 1 Championship. They ran into a buzzsaw called Pittsburg and lost 42-17, but that doesn't take away from the fact that they were a dominant force out West.
What This Game Means for the Future
This 17-14 victory over Chaminade-Madonna isn't just another trophy in the case. It’s a shift in the Florida football hierarchy. For years, the private school "big three" felt untouchable. Cardinal Newman just proved that a disciplined, veteran-heavy roster can take down a national juggernaut.
The Crusaders are losing some massive talent to the Power 4 conferences. Hughley to West Virginia, Balogoun-Ali to Auburn, and Brayden Charney to Syracuse. That's a lot of production to replace. But the culture has clearly shifted. They aren't just "the other school" in Palm Beach anymore. They're the team with the target on their back now.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Crusaders
If you're planning on catching a Cardinal Newman football game next season or just want to stay in the loop, here is the move:
- Track the Early Signing Period: Keep an eye on the 2026 class. With the "state champ" pedigree now attached to the school, expect more high-profile recruits to start looking at West Palm Beach.
- Watch the Sophomore Core: Keep an eye on Kahlil Gabaud and Ty Kirkpatrick. These guys were standout underclassmen during the title run. They are the future of the defense.
- Check the 2026 Schedule Early: After an upset of this magnitude, the Crusaders will likely schedule more national-level opponents to keep their strength of schedule high for rankings.
- Look for Coach Jack Daniels' Adjustments: He was named Co-Coach of the Year for a reason. Watching how he rebuilds the offense without Hughley will be a clinic in high school coaching.
This wasn't just a game. It was a statement. Whether you're in Florida or California, the name Cardinal Newman is now synonymous with championship-caliber football that refuses to be intimidated by the status quo.