Marcus Benjamin @BenjaminReport
Fort Lauderdale, FL – For the last three years the Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Chiefs were led by quarterback and Kentucky commit Nik Scalzo. Last week, Scalzo tore his ACL and was pronounced out for the remainder of the playoffs.
In comes sophomore quarterback Brody Palhegyi making his first start in the biggest game in the history of the program. The undersized quarterback went 10-13 for 63 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions to help defeat and eliminate the 5A defending champion American Heritage (Plantation) Patriots 35-7.
“It wasn’t pretty at times but he got it done,” said Head Coach Matt Dubuc. “He made some key throws early and it got him in the game.”
The game could not have started any better for Brody as American Heritage made two mistakes early. A mishandled snap by junior quarterback Edwin Rhodes led to a scoop and score by senior linebacker Trevis Robinson.
On the next Patriot possession, Rhodes was intercepted by junior defensive back Michal Antoine and returned the ball inside the ten yard line.
Palhegyi was able to connect with junior Majon Wright for the touchdown and later in the half connected with Wright again to take a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Chief home crowd was electric and created a great atmosphere for the first time starter.
.@GibbonsFootball have a 14-0 lead early 1st qtr as they extend lead with this @Brody_Palhegyi to Majon Wright touchdown. It is Palhegyi’s first start as he is filling in for the injured @NikScalzo @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/47tSUOzGso
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 24, 2018
“He’s a gamer,” said Coach Dubuc of Palhegyi. “I watched him play for two years before he go here. I wasn’t worried about him. Experience does count but he made plays when he had to.”
Palhegyi fortunately did not have to carry his team to a victory Friday night because the Chiefs running game was relentless for the entire game. Senior Vincent Davis and junior Tajae Davis combined for 218 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 33 carries.
“We’re a pass happy team and we took their game plan tonight,” said Dubuc. They took our game plan.”
Heritage which is usually a running team did take to the air on several occasions. Rhodes connected with Vinson Davis in the flat and the sophomore receiver took it 49 yards for the touchdown seconds before the half expired.
This made it a 21-7 game going into halftime.
The Gibbons defense completely shut down Heritage from that point forward. Led by senior defensive end Khris Bogle, the Chiefs shut out the Pats for the rest of the game. Punter Daton Montiel consistently put the Patriots in bad field position all night as the Chiefs had it working in all three phases of the game.
“We know we have something to prove to the whole state, even Broward County,” said Bogle.
Pittsburgh commit Vincent Davis scored on 47-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach 28-7 in the fourth quarter. He would finish with 156 yards on 21 carries.
Tajae Davis scored the final touchdown after the Gibbons defense forced a turnover on downs.
.@GibbonsFootball puts the exclamation point on this game as @beastmodetaj gets in to put his team up 35-7. Less than a minute to go now. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/8xT2FjIsyP
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 24, 2018
Gibbons hosted rival American Heritage Friday night because of a 24-14 win earlier this season to help secure the district title. Prior to this season, the Chiefs failed to beat Heritage eleven straight times. Gibbons will host Tampa Jesuit next week at Dr. Bud Tight Field in the 5A state semifinals for the first time in school history. Cardinal Gibbons last made the state championship game in 1990 in class 3A.
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