WEST PALM BEACH – This one was going to be close from start to finish.
Almost everyone who had any interest in the Class 1A state semifinal game last night (Dec. 5) between No. 2 overall seed Cardinal Newman and No. 3 overall seed Clearwater Central Catholic thought the same thing.
At no point in the game did either team lead by more than seven points. It truly came down to execution in big time moments, which were few and far between.
The Marauders (12-2) were able to edge the Crusaders (10-2 final record) in a 22-21 overtime win on the road because of its patience in the clutch and simply letting the game itself come to them.
With the state semifinal game going into overtime at 14-14, Clearwater Central Catholic won the toss and deferred to Cardinal Newman. Clearwater overcame an electrifying touchdown run on second and goal from Newman junior four-star athlete and Belle Glade (Fla.) native Jyron Hughley, who helped his team get a 21-14 lead to start the overtime period.
For the record, the final Newman point came off an extra point from senior kicker Jack Beylo. This was crucial because of what would happen next.
As Clearwater got its chance to score for the tie or win, it took three downs for the road team to reach the end zone. On third-and-goal from the Newman 3-yard line, Clearwater’s offensive line created a lane for senior fullback Keo Jenkins to cross the goal line for the touchdown, which cut Newman’s lead to 21-20.
From there, Clearwater decided to go for two and the win.
It paid off as Clearwater’s offensive line helped Jenkins reach the end zone on the two-point conversion for a celebratory moment.
Clearwater’s one-point win over Newman came down to its coaches deciding to take a chance on their running game. This was an easy call, considering the fact it had a 6-foot-8, 380-pound offensive lineman in Rivals.com four-star Dujuan Davis, who has offers from Ole Miss, USF, Florida, and UCF at this time.
With the win, Clearwater Central Catholic has advanced to its third straight state title game – the last two were in the Class 1M state final against Chaminade-Madonna (48-14 loss in 2022; 56-0 loss in 2023).
Realistically, we are looking at a possible third consecutive state title game matchup between Clearwater and Chaminade (11-2) at FIU Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
As for Cardinal Newman, it had realistic aspirations of reaching its first state title game in school history. Though the home team was one point short of reaching its goal, there were some bright spots that happened in this game.
In the early going, the Crusaders needed only three plays to start with a 7-0 lead over the Marauders. This was made possible by a 33-yard touchdown pass from Hughley to junior wide receiver Zamarii Sanders and an extra point by Beylo with 10:33 left in the first quarter.
Both teams would trade punts at several points throughout the first half until the 7:31 mark of the second quarter, when Clearwater used its rushing game to tie the score up at 7-7.
We would go into halftime with the same score and it would stay that way until early in the third quarter, when Clearwater junior athlete Jershaun Newton busted through the line of scrimmage for a long touchdown run. With an extra point, Clearwater would take a 14-7 lead over Newman at the 10:28 mark.
The final touchdown in regulation came from Newman senior running back, Pitt signee, and Pahokee native Jaylin Brown, who powered his way into the end zone on a 2-yard run with 7:15 left in the third quarter. Beylo’s extra point would tie the game up at 14-14.
Neither team would score again until overtime.
Cardinal Newman head coach Jack Daniels spoke with reporters after the game about the final outcome.
You can watch the full interview right below.
Muck City Media Enterprises 
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