Marcus Benjamin @_BenjaminReport
Orlando, FL – Cardinal Gibbons are champions of the 5A high school football world. The Chiefs of Broward County dominated North Marion (Citra) on Friday led by new sophomore quarterback Brody Palhegyi. Palhegyi made his second start of his high school career and did it on a championship state at Camping World Stadium. Palhegyi went 10 for 16 for 138 yards passing, a touchdown pass and zero interceptions. He would also rush for 48 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.
“Coach Dubuc put a great game plan for me to my job out on the field,” said Palhegyi. “Our whole team stepped up, defensively, our O-line, running backs and everyone stepped up to help me do my job right.”
Palhegyi assumed the starting position after senior Nik Scalzo tore his ACL in the state semifinals.
“You never know when your moment will be called, my moment came. I took it and ran away with it crazy how it finished.”
The two teams traded field goals in the first quarter before starter Corey Wilsher left the game with an apparent knee injury at the 2:09 mark. Sophomore quarterback Quinton Gross changed the game with his dual-threat ability and scored on his first drive with an eleven-yard rush.
Marshall commit Sidney Porter shifted the momentum with a blocked punt, recovery and touchdown. The senior has been making big plays defense and special teams all season and tied the game at ten at 6:55 left in the second quarter.
“Special teams has been great since week two of the season,” said Head Coach Matt Dubuc. “Sidney Porter had a great play on special teams. That wins games it’s the third phase of the game and we got it.”
Coach Dubuc let Brody loose this game as he was handling the situation with kid gloves with the first two games. Palhegyi found sophomore Jake Harrington on a 52-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead 20-10 after a Daton Montiel field goal.
In the second half, the Gibbons offense really started to move as running game took it into high gear. Pittsburgh commit Vincent Davis busted through and made a defender miss in the open field for a 49-yard touchdown run.
“My O-line opened it up real wide when I got through the hole I got passed the linebackers it was one on one with the safety after that I kept running.” said Davis holding back tears of joy.
Davis finished the game with 130 yards rushing on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. Brody also got in with a rushing touchdown that rather Scalzo-like. The sophomore saw an opening for the corner and dived for the pylon for the Chiefs for the sixth score of the game.
“I give a lot of credit to Brody, what a situation he walked into. In three games he’s been money. To have him finish this one like he did, it’s awesome.
The Gibbons defense held North Marion to 109 total yards and claimed their first state title in school history in front of thousands Gibbons fans who made the trip from Fort Lauderdale.
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