Ever since coach Dameon Jones took over as the head coach as Chaminade-Madonna Prep, the Lions have become one of the top high school football programs in South Florida. Last December, rhe Lions won their 3rd straight state championship. What has allowed for so much continued success?
“Just the consistency, having good people around me and the program, and having the support of the community.”
One of the changes Coach Jones has made at Chaminade is raising the level of competition by scheduling big regular season matchups.
“At the end of the day, you want to play those types of games to get better, but also you love competition. Playing little cupcake schools and being undefeated at the end of the regular season, that doesn't get you better. At the end of the day, I’m happy with competition and I love playing big games.”
These high-profile games for Chaminade are not going away anytime soon. Next fall, the Lions will face off against Miami Central, Carol City, and Miami Northwestern.
One of the biggest reasons Chaminade cruised to a 3rd straight state championship was their highly ranked running back, Thad Franklin, who recommitted to Miami on Tuesday night.
“They are getting a tremendous athlete, an all-around athlete, an athlete that can do multiple things. When it comes to running style, he is a powerful runner. He has good vision. He played quarterback coming up through little league so he could do a lot.”
Coach Jones also gave some insight into what kind of player Franklin is at practice and in the locker room.
“He practices very hard. He’s a great teammate. Thad is one of the ones that everybody kind of flocks to. He does not say much. He is a real soft spoken and humble kid.”
Franklin joins Keontra Smith, Te’Cory Couch, Cam Williams, and Andre Borregales as players in the recent Chaminade to Miami pipeline. The biggest reason Miami has had such success recruiting at Chaminade recently is the relationship Miami’s staff has with Chaminade’s staff.
“I’ve known Manny Diaz for like 15 years now, way back to his days of being at Middle Tennessee, so me and Manny have a great relationship. We have a good relationship with coach (Mike) Rumph and (Eric) Hickson. Those guys I've known for a long time. They know they can tell me anything and I can tell them anything. That relationship and honesty is there.”
“Just the consistency, having good people around me and the program, and having the support of the community.”
One of the changes Coach Jones has made at Chaminade is raising the level of competition by scheduling big regular season matchups.
“At the end of the day, you want to play those types of games to get better, but also you love competition. Playing little cupcake schools and being undefeated at the end of the regular season, that doesn't get you better. At the end of the day, I’m happy with competition and I love playing big games.”
These high-profile games for Chaminade are not going away anytime soon. Next fall, the Lions will face off against Miami Central, Carol City, and Miami Northwestern.
One of the biggest reasons Chaminade cruised to a 3rd straight state championship was their highly ranked running back, Thad Franklin, who recommitted to Miami on Tuesday night.
“They are getting a tremendous athlete, an all-around athlete, an athlete that can do multiple things. When it comes to running style, he is a powerful runner. He has good vision. He played quarterback coming up through little league so he could do a lot.”
Coach Jones also gave some insight into what kind of player Franklin is at practice and in the locker room.
“He practices very hard. He’s a great teammate. Thad is one of the ones that everybody kind of flocks to. He does not say much. He is a real soft spoken and humble kid.”
Franklin joins Keontra Smith, Te’Cory Couch, Cam Williams, and Andre Borregales as players in the recent Chaminade to Miami pipeline. The biggest reason Miami has had such success recruiting at Chaminade recently is the relationship Miami’s staff has with Chaminade’s staff.
“I’ve known Manny Diaz for like 15 years now, way back to his days of being at Middle Tennessee, so me and Manny have a great relationship. We have a good relationship with coach (Mike) Rumph and (Eric) Hickson. Those guys I've known for a long time. They know they can tell me anything and I can tell them anything. That relationship and honesty is there.”
