Cardinal Gibbons Confirms Dynasty, Win Third State Title In Four Years

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Marcus Benjamin

Fort Lauderdale, FL — Cocoa came into the 4A state championship game motivated to avenge last year’s 45-15 loss in the state semis. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) came into tonight’s matchup looking to win back-to-back state championships for the first time in school history.  

History was made Thursday night at DRV PNK Stadium.

Gibbons became the fourth Broward County school to win back-to-back state championships with a 21-19 win over Cocoa.   Junior running back Kamari Moulton had 28 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns to power his team to victory. 

Moulton, who lost his mother this past year,  was emotional after the game.

“It’s been a tough year so for me being able to do this it just feels so good, it feels wholesome,” said Moulton.  “I just thank the Lord that he put me in this position where I could be here for the team in front of my family so I’m just happy.”  

It was over when…

Cocoa quarterback Davin Wydner’s pass to junior wideout Kyon Calhoun would fall incomplete on a 4th and 23 from their own 23-yard line with 21 seconds left.  After junior Dwayne Cummings recovered an onside kick, the Chiefs faced a 4th and 1 from their own 43-yard line, took a delay of game penalty, and punted the football.  

“I appreciate what our defense did, they stepped up when they needed to make plays like they’ve done all year,” said Head Coach Matt Dubuc.  “You have to live with what you are going to die with and that’s the front seven.”

The front seven for Gibbons was tremendous in this game, but surprisingly it was an underrated name that made the biggest plays.  Junior defensive tackle Broc Weaver had four sacks and seven total tackles in the game leading the team in both categories.  Weaver was not sure if he was going to start in the game.  

“I wasn’t even sure who was going to start completely,” said Weaver.  “Once I got in and started picking up sacks, I didn’t even imagine this could happen. I’m kind of speechless right now.”

The two-point margin was made possible by stops on two-point conversion attempts.  With 7:25 left in the fourth quarter, Wydner snuck the ball over the goal line to make it a 14-13 game. The Tigers attempted a two-point conversion with a jet sweep with senior Jmariyae Robinson, who was stopped by linebacker Tray Brown.  With 1:57 left in the game, Wydner threw a desperation pass on the run that would connect with Calhoun for a 70-yard touchdown, but once again in an attempt to tie the game, the two-point conversion would fail.  The Tigers failed to convert the two-pointer on a sweep with Ross. 

Moulton started to take this game over in the fourth quarter.  The junior scored on a 14-yard run with 10:41 left in the quarter to give the Chiefs a 14-7 lead.  The 2023 halfback would add another late score on an 8-yard rush with 2:22 left in the game.

Both teams were methodical in nature with their first offensive drives.  Gibbons took seven plays to get into the end zone, capping it with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Rizk to junior wide receiver Jesse Anderson.  

Cocoa executed a 17-play scoring drive that ended with a three-yard dive over the goal line by OJ Ross.  Ross had 90 yards in the first half.  

Cocoa put together another long drive in the second quarter, this one went for eleven plays. The Tigers came to a halt as Wydner’s pass fell incomplete intended for Ross on 4th down and 14 from the Gibbons 24-yard line.    

On the next play, Cedrick Hawkins, rated as a four-star defensive back, helped to keep the score even in the first half.  The junior cornerback jumped in front of a Rizk pass, registering the only turnover in the contest.  

Big Time Players

Kamari Moulton, Running Back, Cardinal Gibbons – The 2023 talent had 173 yards rushing on 28 carries (6.2 per carry) scoring two touchdowns.   

OJ Ross, Running Back, Cocoa – The senior had 22 rushes for 124 yards scoring a touchdown. Ross also had three receptions for 21 yards totaling 219 all-purpose yards. 

Broc Weaver, Defensive Tackle, Cardinal Gibbons – The junior had seven tackles including six solo to go along with his four sacks.

Tray Brown, Linebacker, Cardinal Gibbons – The senior, and Coastal Carolina signee, had seven total tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, two pass break-ups and three QB hurries.

Mason Thomas, Defensive End, Cardinal Gibbons – The senior recorded three total tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, one pass break-up and three QB hurries.  

Ahmad Moten, Defensive Tackle, Cardinal Gibbons – The senior had four tackles, a tackle for loss and three QB hurries.

Cedrick Hawkins, Defensive Back, Cocoa – The junior had 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. 

Samadre Hawkins, Linebacker, Cocoa – The sophomore registered 12 tackles.

Gibbons, with the win, won its third state championship moving into 9th all-time.

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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