Title doesn’t quite fulfill Scalzo’s wish

Injured QB happy to win, frustrated he couldn’t play

ORLANDO — This was exactly how Nik Scalzo envisioned his high school career ending: Pulling up to the gates at Camping World Stadium in Orlando to wrap up his senior season and bring Cardinal Gibbons its first state title.

Exactly how he pictured it except for one key detail that probably wasn’t part of those dreams.

He wasn’t playing in the game.

It was a perfectly imperfect ending for the 6-foot, 185-pound Kentucky quarterback commit. He was out for that Class 5A championship game he desperately coveted to lead his team in with a torn ACL suffered three weeks earlier in a regional semifinal win. He nonetheless got to see his teammates bring the crown down to Fort Lauderdale, topping Citra North Marion 48-10 on Friday evening.

“I didn’t play tonight, but the energy in this place was insane,” Scalzo said. “First time in school history. I can’t complain. … Life has a bunch of ups and downs. This season has been a bunch of ups and downs – to start off 0-2 and win 12 straight.”

Scalzo, on his crutches, hopped onto the field with his teammates during the pregame introduction, donning his Gibbons No. 2 jersey. He joined his fellow captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss.

During the action, he stood a safe distance away on a bench to watch the field over his Chiefs on the sideline. Cameras followed his every move – from the Spectrum Sports broadcast, to the Jumbotron and the Netflix series QB1, which has documented Scalzo’s entire senior season.

As if extra motivation was needed, teammates wanted to win it for Scalzo.

“Before the game, I was crying,” star defensive end Khris Bogle said. “I was like, ‘Nik, I got you. I got you. I got you.’ That’s my brother.”

“This guy right here,” Cardinal Gibbons coach Matt DuBuc said grabbing Scalzo during the celebration, “in three years, he’s thrown a lot of touchdown passes for our team. To finish this one like we did, it’s awesome.

“Losing Nik was crushing to our ego, but I have to tell you, everybody in that locker room pulled together after that.”

Sophomore Brody Palhegyi threw for a touchdown and ran for another. He was 10 of 16 for 138 yards, didn’t throw an interception and ran for 48 yards.

“I’ve been training him this whole time. Now I’m finally handing off the reins to let him take over this program,” Scalzo said. “He’s being a leader. He’s being a field general. He’s getting done what needs to be done.”

Scalzo said arriving at the stadium Friday was the first moment that got to him as he dealt with not playing when Palheghyi was signal caller for the regional final win over rival American Heritage and state semifinal victory against Tampa Jesuit.

“This injury is not going to define me,” said Scalzo, who will sign with Kentucky during the Early Signing Period later in December. “I’m going to get past it, and I’m going to be bigger, faster, stronger.”

For Scalzo, it was still the ending he and the members of his class knew was destined for them since their freshman year.

“We always said, ‘Senior year, that’s when we’re going to win states,’” Scalzo said. “We’re here.”

MICHAEL LAUGHLIN/SUN SENTINEL Injured Cardinal Gibbons quarterback Nik Scalzo cheers for his team during its 5A state title victory Friday.