Road To Redemption: Battle Tested and Matured - Champagnat Catholic Lions
By Jerry Williamson
HIALEAH -- Third year head coach Dennis Marroquin of Champagnat Catholic, a 24-10 record, has revamped a program that handed down under ten players before the start of spring. Marroquin has aided over 100 student-athletes with both verbal and official scholarships over his stops at Hialeah and as the founder of Florida Fire. Champagnat Catholic's coordinators George Stubbs (OC) and Danny Clavijo (DC) has done an excellent job with preparation and game planning this fall. The Lions has out breeze pass opponents by a margin of (129-12), which included two defensive shootouts during playoffs. Marroquin felt his team needed to be battle test this time around, after falling short for the state title (which fielded five freshmen starters) come playoffs.
The Lions' schedule featured notable competition consisting of University School of Nova (Class 4A), Doral Academy (Class 7A), who both advanced to their classification semi-finals this fall, and USA Today No. 8 ranked Trinity (Louisville, KY).
During the Lions' playoffs run against stiff competition, which featured undefeated opponents, senior dual-threat QB Desjaun Kearse (5'11" 175), accounted for (7) passing touchdowns and (2) additional scores using his legs. Kearse (#8), currently receiving interest from Div. 1 FCS - Stetson, is responsible for 20 total touchdowns (15 Pass/5 Rush) on the season. The Lions running back by committee has proven to wear teams down over the course of the season -- behind north-south runners Calvin Montgomery, Terrence Crittenden, and Keyshon Gardner.
The committee have all rushed for over 400 yards and score several touchdowns behind returning starters offensive line Alan Louis and Jovens Janvier, who both started as freshmen in the Class 2A state finals last season.
While the Lions' wide receiver unit features highly sought after Div. 1 recruits such as senior four-star Gregory Rousseau and sophomores Johnquai Lewis and Mark Britt, a group who combines over 30 FBS verbal scholarships, has taken their game to the next level.
The Lions' under-the-radar senior starters wide receivers, Jahani Wright (Interest by Jackson St) and Leon McClain, a 1170 SAT, has made a name for themselves during the playoffs, combining for four touchdowns. Coach Stubbs (OC) is spreading the ball around in the passing game as well.
The wide receiver unit all have over 400 yards receiving a piece entering the state finals. Coach Stubbs understands how to get everyone involved with the offensive. Here's a note, a total of (7) offensive athletes have (400) yards this season on offense. These numbers didn't come easy, as the Lions has played above their 2A competition. Scheduling teams in the 8A, 6A, 7A, 4A and including out-of-state face offs against New Jersey and Kentucky.
Sophomore edge rush specialist Jesus Machado (holds 15+ FBS verbal scholarships) and Donovan Georges combined for (8) sacks versus Cambridge Christian. The duo has amassed over 30 sacks on the season and recorded (4) a piece vs. Cambridge Christian.
Returning starter inside linebacker Donald Georges (5'11", 210), a rising junior who caused 2 force fumbles in last season Class 2A finals and (converted running back) Duke Jones (6'1", 195) has contributed to the defense success, resulting in a total of five defensive shootouts on the season. Athlete Keyshon Gardner, who splits carries at running back, has made a number of turnover plays on defense as well.
Champagnat Catholic CB/ATH Noah Pierre (#1), is arguably the hottest rising senior in the sunshine state. Pierre is the Lions' lockdown cornerback, who leads the Ind-4A class in interceptions and holds Div. 1 verbal offers by FAU, and Tennessee State. Before transferring to Champagnat Catholic he didn't hold a single Div. 1 offer. Champagnat Catholic goal was to add quality teams to their schedule to prepare for this very moment, a re-match against University Christian for the state title. Highly sought after seniors Athlete Greg Rousseau, a Univ. of Miami (FL) commit, and Donovan Georges (FIU verbal) will leave it all on the field come December at the Citrus Bowl with hopes of bringing the hardware back to South Florida and adding to their trophy case, after Akron's starting redshirt freshman QB Kato Nelson captured the school first state title.
