After breakthrough 2016, Gibbons looks to conquer Heritage
FORT LAUDERDALE — If the Cardinal Gibbons football team is going to take another step forward after a breakthrough 2016 season, there’s no question which team stands in its way.
It’s the district rival that handed the Chiefs (9-2) both of their losses, including their regional semifinal elimination, in coach Matt DuBuc’s first season. It’s the team that has won Class 5A state titles three of the past four years: American Heritage.
While most of Gibbons’ young core from a year ago returns, even newcomers feel the desire to get over the Heritage hump — players like senior three-star cornerback Marquis Williams, who transferred from Coconut Creek.
“I want to beat American Heritage,” Williams said at practice Wednesday, the first day teams throughout the state were allowed to practice in shoulder pads. “That’s the hardest team in this division — well, we’re the hardest — but that’s a big challenge for us.”
While the Patriots are the obvious obstacle for the Chiefs, they don’t meet until Oct. 13, when Gibbons hosts. DuBuc knows not to have his team overlook a schedule that includes two District 16-5A contests and an opener at defending Class 8A state champion Miami Southridge on Aug. 26.
“Looking ahead — we don’t do that — but obviously, we know they’re there,” DuBuc said.
Gibbons’ prolific air-raid offense is back in action with quarterback Nik Scalzo now a junior with a full season of experience under his belt. He’ll have a receiving corps that brings back Illinois commit Carlos Sandy, twins Lavontae and Tavontae Decius and Brandon Lee — all seniors.
“Last year, our receivers were at an 8 or 9. This year, they’re at a 10 or 11,” Scalzo said.
While the tallest of that group is just 5-foot-10, Scalzo will have a big target in 6-foot-7 junior tight end Nikolas Ognenovic.
“He’s the Italian [Rob] Gronkowski,” Scalzo said. “Goal line, just throw it up to him. He’s coming down with it for sure.”
DuBuc believes his running game will be better than last year to help complement the aerial attack.
“We’re better up front than we were a year ago,” he said. “We won’t have to force it down the field as much.”
Four-star junior defensive end Khris Bogle, who already lists 23 scholarship offers, has burst onto the scene after becoming a starter late last season.
In a base 4-2-5 defense, Bogle will provide pass rush for a secondary that features three Division Ibound defensive backs — Williams, Vanderbilt commit Maxwell Worship and Illinois commit Ron Hardge.
dfurones@ sunsentinel.com / @DavidFurones_