HOLLYWOOD — If you think state bragging rights matter in high school football, think again.
Chaminade-Madonna senior defensive back John Gay was in tears after the Lions 24-7 loss to Sierra Canyon (California) on Aug. 27 at McArthur High School. The showdown was one of the premier games of the Broward County High School National Football Showcase.
"I needed this," Gay said. "Florida versus Cali. Florida has to come out with a dub. It's a tough loss. We needed that."
Gay, a Notre Dame commit ranked No. 49 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, had a pair of fumble recoveries as the Lions kept things close in the first half.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Gay is part of a loaded 2027 Notre Dame class, that includes IMG edge rusher Jackson Vaughn, St.
Thomas Aquinas safety Zayden Gamble, Aquinas wide receiver Julius Jones and Vero Beach quarterback Champ Monds. All five are ranked in the top 25 in the USA Today Florida top 25.
"Me and my relationship with the coaches up there is incredible," Gay said. "I can't wait to get up there."
Chaminade (1-1, No. 2 Class 2A) forced five Sierra Canyon fumbles, recovering four in the first half.
Four-star junior athlete Peter Pierre had a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. The forced fumble was an impressive effort as he raced back to strip Sierra Canyon's Eli Zamorano after a one-handed interception and return just before he was able to cross the goal line.
"We're just trying to give our offense more opportunities," Gay said. "We just left it all out there."
Sierra Canyon (2-0) broke up a 7-7 tie in the third quarter with a quick 10 points in less than 30 seconds. The Trailblazers kicked a 31-yard field goal, intercepted the first play of the ensuing drive and scored one play later on a pass to Cal commit Jaxsen Stokes.
Purdue commit Amos Bradford scored the lone Chaminade touchdown on a 1-yard run out of the wildcat in the second quarter.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chaminade-Madonna football emotional after loss to Sierra Canyon
