Live From The Crib: Top Miami targets and commits shine in Chaminade-Madonna vs. Miami Central thriller
Fireworks were expected between the two powerhouse teams ahead of Thursday night’s battle between Miami Central and Chaminade-Madonna, and they delivered in what is an early candidate for the high school football game of the year.
Following a near-two-hour weather delay, the Rockets and Lions took center stage at Nathaniel Traz Powell Stadium and put on a show for the hundreds of fans in the stands and a national ESPN2 TV audience. In the end, it was Chaminade-Madonna who came out with the 31-28 victory over Miami Central.
The game was a thriller that saw the Lions improve to 5-0 with Central falling to 1-2. Both entered the game generally considered among the nation’s top 5 teams.
Central’s final drive ended in an interception with 1:13 remaining, and Chaminade-Madonna ran the clock down from there with Central getting just one last desperation heave that fell incomplete. The Rockets also had a chance to tie the game midway through the fourth quarter, but a 26-yard field goal attempt from Kristian Hobbs hit off the crossbar.
“It was a great battle, and we just came out victorious,” five-star Ohio State commit and high priority Miami target Jeremiah Smith said following the game. “I’m feeling good.”
Smith, who is one of, if not Miami head coach Mario Cristobal’s biggest targets in the 2024 class, impressed throughout the matchup as he hauled nine passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-handed 18-yard score.
The Ohio State commit who has continued to hear from Miami, will be on hand for the Hurricanes Oct. 7. matchup against Georgia Tech. So far this season, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking is loving what he has seen from the ‘Canes offense.
“For sure, I’m definitely going to be there,” Smith said. “I like the way the offense is going, and they’re heading in the right direction. They’re throwing it, for sure, and I’m liking that. Coach (Shannon) Dawson kept his word to me when he said the offense would be on another level from last year. I’m liking what I see for sure.”
Along with Dawson, Miami wide receivers coach Kevin Beard has continued to build his relationship with Smith, whom he watched play last Friday night during Chaminade-Madonna’s matchup against American Heritage.
“Coach KB is telling me that you don’t have to go all the way to Ohio State; you can just stay home and put on for your city,” Smith said. “That makes me feel good. Playing in front of my home city is something I’ve been doing for my whole life.”
This was a back-and-forth offensive game in the first half, but more of a defensive struggle in the final two quarters – it was 31-21 at the half, and Chaminade-Madonna’s defense sealed the win over Miami Central thanks to the aforementioned interception by junior defensive back Curtis Janvier that was initially tipped in the air by Miami four-star safety commit Zaquan Patterson.
Patterson, who committed to the Hurricanes in August, is still hearing from other programs but says he is locked in with Miami.
“I’m locked in, and that’s my team,” Patterson said. “The only thing that could change that is if they go get two or three more safeties. That could be the only thing that could maybe change that for real.”
Since his pledge to Miami, Patterson’s bond with the staff has only strengthened, and he looks forward to suiting up for the orange and green in the near future.
“It’s been great,” Patterson said. “They texted me before the game, actually. Just letting me know some things about just controlling my game and just building me as a player like I’m on the team already.”
Other notable performers:
2024 four-star WR LaWayne McCoy
Despite his April commitment to Florida State, Miami has continued to pursue the No. 228 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Before suffering leg cramps late in the second quarter that held him out for most of the second half, McCoy was a catalyst for the Rockets on both offense and defense as he hauled in 5 catches for 89 yards including a touchdown reception in the second quarter. He also was tasked with guarding both Smith and four-star Miami commit Joshisa Trader.
2024 four-star WR Joshisa Trader
In his second game back after returning from injury, the Hurricane pledge looked strong and back to full health after snagging a handful of receptions for 44 yards, including one over the middle with one hand early on in the contest.
2025 four-star DB Amari Wallace
As of late, Miami’s coaching staff has made it known to Wallace that he is wanted in Coral Gables, and the No. 166 overall prospect and the No. 16 safety in the On300 continues to show them why. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect is one of the better defensive backs in the country, and he continued to further that narrative with a big interception and a solid outing against one of high school football’s best receiving cores in the country.
2026 four-star WR Denairius Gray
While Smith and Trader are the most well-known Lions receivers, Denairius Gray of the 2026 class appears to be up next. The sophomore wideout, who has received interest from Miami as well as a number of other Power Five teams like as Georgia, Florida, and Florida State, pulled in a crucial touchdown pass late in the game to help seal the victory.
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