Chaminade-Madonna DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr.: 'We have the best defensive line in the state'

TALLAHASSEE — Kenyatta Jackson Jr. didn't want to sound arrogant when asked about the dominance of Chaminade-Madonna's defensive line.

Then again, with a Class 3A state championship medal around his neck, who would fault him if he did?

"I'm going say it as humbly as I can, but we have the best defensive line in the nation," said Jackson, an Ohio State commit. "We're the two best defensive ends in the nation. I can say that humbly as I can, but that's what it is."

The Lions defense shut out Berkeley Prep 21-0 in the state title game at Gene Cox Stadium on Friday.

Chaminade-Madonna held Berkeley Prep to just seven first downs and 61 total yards offense on 41 plays. That's an average of 1.5 yards per play.

"We knew they were a heavy run team," said Lions defensive end Jamaal Johnson, a UCF commit. "When you read your keys We watched film — film is like a cheat sheet for us. When we get players in the best positions, with our alignment, it's the little things that make us great as a D-Line and as a defense."

Johnson finished with a team-high seven tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Jackson had six tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

The numbers are impressive, but it's hardly surprising. Chaminade-Madonna arguably had the premier defense in the state this season.

It was the fourth shutout of the season for the Lions and the third of the postseason. Chaminade allowed less than 10 points per game this season with a schedule with heavyweights like Western, American Heritage, Columbus, Buford (Georgia), Sanford-Seminole, Gulliver Prep and Lakewood. All expect for Western and American Heritage were regional finalists or state semifinalists this season.

Still, Jackson found a way to deflect the praise.

"I'm just a piece to it. Offense came in and did their thing, defense did their things, special teams did their thing. coaches did their thing. They put us in position and we executed."

Recruiting notes and observations

Chaminade-Madonna sophomore quarterback Cedrick Bailey's game has grown tremendously throughout the season. He does a nice job of getting the ball out quickly and showed nice touch on deep balls to Jeremiah Smith. Bailey, who has offers from Pitt and Georgia Tech, was 12 of 17 for 154 yards and a touchdown.

Smith caught five passes for 116 yards and a score. His 46-yard reception in the first quarter set up Davion Gause's first touchdown run and Smith added a 33-yard score in the third quarter. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder sophomore has more than 15 offers, including Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State.

The 5-foot-10, 197-pound Gause scored twice — a 2-yard plunge in the first quarter and a 22-yard burst up the middle in the fourth quarter. The sophomore running backs offers include Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami and Ole Miss.

"My guard pulled and I just saw the hole," Gause said of his second score. "My coach kept telling me to go north and south because I just kept bouncing. I just ran north to south."

Berkeley Prep senior linebacker/defensive back T.J. Bullard led all players with 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Bullard is committed to UCF.

Junior defensive end Keon Keeley, a Notre Dame commit, had four tackles, a tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble for Berkeley Prep.

— Jack Williams contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chaminade-Madonna defensive line stakes claim as nation's best