PAHOKEE — Cardinal Newman senior running back Phoenix Donghia had more than 150 total yards from scrimmage and rushed for three touchdowns to lift the visiting Crusaders to a 26-10 victory against Pahokee on Friday night.

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Donghia has accounted for 10 touchdowns through the first four games of the season.

“Our game plan was to run the ball down their throats, and they couldn’t stop it,” Donghia said. “We know what we can do as an offense and we’re going to show that. I give all my credit to my O-line.”

Cardinal Newman led 8-7 at the end of the first quarter and had a 14-10 advantage at halftime. The Crusaders extended their lead to 20-10 in the third quarter, and they pulled away in the fourth as senior quarterback Jyron Hughley fired a touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Ty Kirkpatrick. Senior Leslie Mosley and sophomore Kahlil Gabaud both recorded interceptions in the fourth.

“Our O-line played great,” Cardinal Newman coach Jack Daniels said. “Phoenix ran the ball great. Jyron made some incredible throws as well. We have a bunch of young kids playing right now [on defense]. We are getting better every week. It’s exciting to watch. Our guys are coached really well.”

Pahokee (3-1) jumped out to the lead as senior quarterback Xavier Mitchell tossed a 7-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver Odexter Simms in the left corner of the end zone to give the Blue Devils a 7-0 advantage in the first quarter.

Cardinals Newman (3-1) responded back with a scoring drive on the ensuing possession. Donghia had a 27-yard catch-and-run into Blue Devils territory. On fourth-and-3, Donghia rushed up the middle for a 13-yard touchdown. Hughley fired a pass to senior Ethan Holland for a two-point conversion to make it 8-7 with 2:29 left in the first quarter.

Cardinal Newman senior Zamarii Sanders had a punt return for a score negated after a block-in-the-back penalty, which resulted in the Crusaders starting their next drive at the Blue Devils 40-yard line. Hughley connected with Mosley on a deep pass by the right sideline to the Blue Devils 7-yard line. Donghia powered up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown run with 8:43 left in the second quarter to push the lead to 14-7.

Pahokee sophomore Mari Singleton had a touchdown run called back after a holding penalty late in the second quarter. Senior kicker Paulo Lugo drilled a 36-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-10 with 45 seconds remaining in the first half.

The Crusaders marched downfield for a scoring drive on their opening possession of the second half. Donghia rushed for a 10-yard score to extend the lead to 20-10 with 7:30 left in the third quarter.

Pahokee forced a turnover with a fumble recovery at their own 15-yard line later in the third quarter. The Blue Devils were unable to seize the momentum as they were stopped short on fourth-and-2 at their own 23.

Cardinal Newman scored on the first play of the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-2, Hughley threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kirkpatrick to make it 26-10.

The two teams had to be separated by officials after an incident with 2:48 left. Hughley had scrambled on a run toward the sideline and an altercation occurred after the play while he was out-of-bounds with Pahokee senior Willie Fitzgerald. The two players were both removed from the game by their respective teams.

“[Jyron] is from Belle Glade,” Daniels said. “It’s personal with them all week. There is a lot of chatter. It’s all good. It’s great competitive football. It’s kind of sad that it had to end like that.”

Cardinal Newman has now won the last three meetings.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/13/donghia-powers-cardinal-newman-past-undefeated-host-pahokee/