When a big play was needed on offense, Cardinal Newman senior quarterback Jyron Hughley always found a way.

The West Virginia commit tormented opposition defenses with his arm and his legs and helped the Crusaders (12-3) win their first football state championship in school history as they shocked four-time defending state champion Chaminade-Madonna 17-14 for the 1A state football championship at Pitbull Stadium on the campus of FIU.

The state title game was just a microcosm of what the Crusaders saw all season. Hughley never left the field, even in celebration, as he played offense, defense and special teams. Hughley threw for one TD — a 35-yarder to Ethan Holland — and ran 69 yards for another as he finished with a game-high 20 carries for 111 yards.

“I did whatever I had to do to help my team win,” said Hughley, who was named MVP of the game as he also contributed four tackles on defense and punted three times. He repeats as the Sun Sentinel Palm Beach 4A-1A offensive player of the year. “We just won a state championship and it’s a dream come true. There were doubts about me and the team throughout my whole career and I hope that winning the state title finally woke people up and shows I can do it all. I’m just grateful.”

Hughley, who also plays basketball and runs track, threw for 2,018 yards and 17 TDs, ran for 1,528 yards and 18 scores. He started at quarterback at Glades Day before transferring to Cardinal Newman as a freshman.

“He played quarterback his whole life, but was a safety and wide receiver for us as a sophomore,” said Cardinal Newman coach Jack Daniels, who also won two state championships at Dwyer. He took over for us at quarterback last season and has just been phenomenal.”

Hughley’s heroics were needed since leading rusher and James Madison commit Phoenix Donghia (1,418 rushing yards, 211 receiving yards, 25 TDs) was battling turf toe and was questionable to play.

“Jyron just put his team on his back,” Daniels said. “It started about a month and a half ago and he’s been the best player in the state. He’s incredible. He’s a very good player.”

Hughley returned the compliment.

“Coach Jack means a lot to us,” Hughley said. “He changed the program around. He believed in me and let me run the offense the last two years. We came up short last year, but this year we came out and dominated. I lost to (Chaminade-Madonna) my sophomore year and I had a chip on my shoulder and being able to knock them off meant everything to me.”

 

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/12/25/palm-beach-4a-1a-football-offensive-player-of-the-year/