Chaminade wins CIF state championship Division II bowl game
Give a quality high school football coach five years to execute a plan, and the results can be memorable. That’s what came to fruition for Ed Croson and West Hills Chaminade on Saturday night at StubHub Center in Carson.
Five years after leaving Lake Balboa Birmingham as a four-time City Section champion to assume the challenge of trying to revitalize the Eagles, Croson watched his program win the CIF state championship Division II bowl game with a dominating 41-9 victory over Redding Enterprise.
“Sixty-one years prior to the school not being able to accomplish what we did today is special,” said linebacker Rick Gamboa. “It’s incredible.”
From the precision passing of quarterback Brad Kaaya to the big plays turned in by running back-cornerback Donovan Lee to the punishing tackling of Gamboa, the Eagles (14-2) reached peak form just when it mattered most.
Lee came through with three interceptions and had touchdowns on a nine-yard run and a 19-yard interception return. The 6-foot-4 Kaaya completed 17 of 23 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. His final high school pass was a 30-yard touchdown throw to Brandyn Lee.
“Brad was awesome,” Croson said. “He was right on all night. He had great composure, read the coverages and made great throws.”
In opening a 24-3 halftime lead, Chaminade relied on Kaaya, who was 11 of 14 for 162 yards. Brayden Lenius caught a nine-yard touchdown pass. And the Eagles’ defense controlled Isaiah Matthews, who finished with 182 yards rushing but did little damage when the game was still in doubt.
Chaminade’s no-huddle offense, combined with an offensive line that provided great protection, made things difficult for Enterprise (13-1).
“It’s a surreal feeling,” Kaaya said.
The master plan for Croson revolved around finding a way to knock off his nemesis, Gardena Serra. That happened on a game-winning field goal by Ben Kreitenberg in the Western Division championship game as time expired for a 38-35 victory weeks after losing to the Cavaliers, 36-0. After that, the Eagles were home free.
“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by a lot of people,” Croson said.
Next season, Chaminade moves to the tougher Pac-5 Division, but Saturday will be remembered as a historic day in Eagles sports history.
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