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Fort Lauderdale, FL – Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) came into this season with high expectations. Unfortunately, an 0-2 start humbled the Chiefs and they quickly learned that respect is earned not given. Gibbons rebounded with a win against Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)
34-12 last week and looked to build on their first win with another win tonight on their home field. Gibbons hosted district foe Miami Jackson and came out with a 16-6 victory.
“Winning is certainly better than losing,” said Head Coach Matt Dubuc. “It was a district game and they are an improved team from a year ago and it comes down to execution.”
Both offenses struggled with efficiency for much of the first half. After a scoreless first quarter, Gibbons drew first blood with when Kentucky commit Nik Scalzo found Dasani Gordon on an inside slant to go up 6-0 (extra point missed).
.@GibbonsFootball gets on the board first as @NikScalzo connects with junior Dasani Gordon for the score. Extra point missed makes the score 6-0 early 2nd Qtr. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/DGkMW5meOA
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) September 14, 2018
The Chiefs were looking to go up two scores but were stopped on a fourth down. Running back Vincent Davis stretched for the goal line but came up a few inches short. Davis would finish the game with 20 carries for 118 yards unofficially.
Jackson would take over at their own one-yard line. Running back Amari Daniels took the hand off from his own endzone, found a crease in the middle of the offensive line and sprinted 99 yards for a touchdown (extra point failed). The score would knot the game at six going into halftime.
“The defense played well, they gave up the one play the whole night. We are missing some key guys right now but the guys that are in now filling in are learning getting baptism by fire.”
The home team marched down the field on their first drive of the second half. Scalzo has a variety of weapons to his disposal, but tonight he often found 2021 receiver Troy Stellato. Stellato can run every route on the route tree and often beat his man for gains for his team.
.@FootballHotbed showcase MVP @troystellato was one of Scalzo’s favorite targets tonight. pic.twitter.com/X5gKoWakDQ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) September 15, 2018
Scalzo would also connect with receivers, Majon Wright, Chris Benestad and his big tight end Nik Ognenovic on this night. Gibbons would finish the drive with a tough one yard run by Coleman Bennett to put them up 13-6 in the 3rd quarter.
Trevis Robinson was the standout defenders in this game for the Chiefs. He had multiple tackles and four sacks that ended a number of Jackson drives. Jackson, could not get any rhythm on offense because of constant penetration by the Chief defense.
.@Humbledkidtrey comes up with one of many sacks here for @GibbonsFootball against Jackson. pic.twitter.com/UJXiF5uM4B
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) September 15, 2018
In the fourth quarter, kicker Daton Montiel would ultimately ice the game with a 34-yard field goal.
Gibbons opened their season with a preseason game against Key West and came out with a dominating victory that night, but lost their best defender Khris Bogle to a knee injury. Bogle is expected to return in two weeks well ahead of a huge game against American Heritage (Plantation) on October 12th. They are also expected to get Tajae Davis back in a week or so. Gibbons will play at Stoneman Douglas (Parkland) next week and Coconut Creek the following week. They will get a bye before they get their arch nemesis Heritage.
“We’re going to back and play another game next week and we are going to be 3-2 after we perform the way we need to perform.”
