Chaminade’s Marquis Jones gets by Villa Park defenders during their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade kicker Ryon Sayeri smiles after a successful field goal against Villa Park during their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade football coach David Machuca looks on as they host Villa Park in a CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade kicker Ryon Sayeri looks on against Villa Park during their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Marquis Jones battles for yards against Villa Park during their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Jackson Tyler carries the ball against Villa Park during their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade cheerleaders perform as they host Villa Park in a CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade hosts Villa Park in a CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Devin Olmande is brought down by Villa Park during their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Nate Lewis drops back to pass for Villa Park as they face Chaminade in a CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Jackson Tyler gets away from Villa Park defenders during their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Seth Shigg runs the bal against Villa Park in their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park football head coach Dusan Ancich leads his team against Chaminade in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park takes the field as they face Chaminade in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Niles Davis gains yards against Villa Park in their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Villa Park’s Carter Christie carries the ball against Chaminade in their CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal game November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Logan Carpenter hauls in a long pass against Villa Park in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Chaminade’s Logan Carpenter hauls in a long pass against Villa Park in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinals November 10, 2023.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
WEST HILLS — The Chaminade football has grown tremendously since the start of the season.
Facing a senior-laden Villa Park team on Friday night in a CIF Southern Section Division 3 quarterfinal matchup, the young Eagles showed just how much they’ve grown up.
From freshmen to the senior leaders on the team, using a healthy mix of the running game, passing attack and a gritty defense, Chaminade defeated Villa Park 30-16 to advance to the Division 3 semifinals.
“They’ve grown up each and every week. Maybe the score is not indicative of that, but we’ve gotten better each and every week,” Chaminade head coach David Machuca said. “Week six, week seven, week eight we saw it internally that we were getting better. The guys have bought in.”
Junior wideout Logan Carpenter set the tone early on Chaminade’s first drive, catching three passes to set up a Jackson Tyler 10-yard touchdown.
Carpenter made an acrobatic 30-yard catch down the left sideline on fourth-and-5 to set up the score on the next play.
“I’m always ready for the moment,” Carpenter said. “Seth (Shigg) put a great ball out there and I just helped him out a little. I do this all the time so let me just make it happen.”
Carpenter finished the game with 115 receiving yards on six catches.
Whether it was Carpenter or sophomore Devin Olmande, who brought in five catches for 50 yards, the efficiency in the air opened up the ground game for Tyler and company.
The junior running back had 60 yards on 11 carries plus the touchdown. Sophomore Niles Davis added 63 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Freshman Marquis Jones got in on the action as well with four carries for 19 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m really excited about the future of the running back room,” Machuca said. “They all have similar but different styles. The one thing I love about each one of them is they run downhill and they run hard.”
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On Friday against Villa Park, he showcased his passing ability, completing 13 of 19 passing attempts for 206 yards including a 39-yard touchdown throw to sophomore wideout Isaiah Hearn.
Villa Park was led by quarterback Nate Lewis, who completed 21 of 24 pass attempts for 240 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Chaminade will hit the road next week to face Warren, who defeated Oak Hills Friday, in the Division 3 semifinals.
