Gibbons: Same approach, great expectations

FORT LAUDERDALE — This is supposed to be the time for Cardinal Gibbons.

Those runs the past two seasons — where the Chiefs beat every opponent except American Heritage and last year came within a point in triple overtime of a state semifinal berth — were almost perceived as ahead of schedule, especially being so close to the Patriots with how loaded their roster has been.

While Gibbons had a chip on its shoulder then to prove itself better than pundits projected, now the Chiefs are getting that respect. The expectation is there for them to get it done and win the school’s first state football title. MaxPreps ranks them 20th in the nation.

“We’re going to approach it the same way,” said senior quarterback Nik Scalzo, entering his third year as the starter, at Wednesday’s practice. “We like to look at rankings, but we can’t let that sink in too deep. We just have to go and play every game like it’s our last game.”

The players are maintaining that same level of motivation, but the team knows what it has with a senior-laden group.

“I think we’re confident. That’s my vibe I get around the locker room from the guys,” said coach Matt DuBuc. “They’re very battletested for the most part, but every season’s a new season. Every game is a new game, so you can’t look too far ahead, and I’m not.”

Said senior safety Sidney Porter: “We got the same team we had last year. We just lost a couple of key guys, but we can replace them for sure.”

Scalzo, a Kentucky commit, will lead the offense while the defense is spearheaded by one of Broward County’s top recruits in defensive end Khris Bogle. Scalzo lost some top targets to graduation, including leading receiver Carlos Sandy (Illinois), but the Chiefs are reloaded with a deep receiving corps with greater size and length, including a fellow Wildcats pledge in tight end Nikolas Ognenovic.

The Chiefs running back combo of Vincent Davis, committed to Pitt, and Tajae Davis return with Coleman Bennett also prepared to contribute. They run behind a big offensive line with Louisville commit Jamari Williams at right tackle and 6-foot-5, 320-pound Willie Hepburn at left guard.

For Williams, getting practice reps against Bogle has forced him to make strides.

“Mentally, it prepares me for college – what college is going to be like,” he said. “I’m a D-I offensive lineman, so I’m helping Khris as well. So we’re getting each other better. Iron sharpens iron.

“He just has a lot of speed for his size, real tall. A little finesse player, got a lot of moves.”

The Gibbons defense is also stout on the interior of the defensive line with Jordan Johnson and Rashon Crooks, both over 300 pounds, in the middle. Kansas State commit Yahweh Jeudy will play middle linebacker with Trevis Robinson one of the outside backers as he shifts from defensive end.

Porter leads the secondary along with fellow senior safety Derek Atwaters, and DuBuc is looking forward to competition at cornerback throughout camp as he also expects the team to be in nickel plenty.

The Chiefs face a challenging schedule, opening at home with perennial Miami-Dade power Central on Aug. 25. They then play at Milton (Ga.) the following Friday with the usual district slate in the heart of the season — the big bash at American Heritage on Oct. 12.