Week 8 Game of the Week is another chapter in what has been the best rivalry in Broward for some time now. We have been privileged to watch these teams go to overtime after overtime, play each other twice a year, and take each other down to the wire each and every time. 2020 should be no different. Coming off of HUGE victories over 7A powers, the teams are vying for the claim of King of Broward.
Cardinal Gibbons
Coming off arguably the biggest South Florida upset since 2017 when Miramar took out STA, Gibbons has momentum and hype going into their final test before the 4A playoffs. QB Brody Palhegyi has led this team since he took over for Kentucky QB Nik Scalzo en route to the 2018 State Championship. A true dual-threat that mirrors his game after the Kyler Murrays of the world, you could argue he's their biggest weapon in the run game. That's no shade toward their stable of RBs though. While young, their 2023 duo of Torrance Miller and Kamari Moulton have combined with 2021 back Jadon Morgan to give Gibbons 3 different running styles. While Gibbons does an excellent job of controlling the clock & establishing the run game out of the spread, their Air Raid scheme passing game is what puts fear in the heart of opposing defenses. 2021 Clemson commit is the centerpiece of this offense but there's so much more to this receiving core. 2021 Luke Dean and 2022 Devon Kiser are speed demons (4.4 40) that forces 2 high looks opposite of Stellato. 2023 WR AJ Jenkins is a 6'3 200lb frame that you have to respect in RedZone and jump ball situations. 2022 WR Elisha Edwards is a willing blocker who you would think has glue on his gloves. Last but not least is their TE/HB 2021 Samford commit BJ Williams who is huge in the run game, almost acting as an extra tackle while also showcasing the receiving prowess as a seam threat when defenses focus on the talent at WR. While this offense has been the key to Gibbons's success in the past, their defense has been the talk of the 2020 season. A front 7 littered with talent has a pass rush rotation of 2021 Cincy commit Jah-Mal Williams, clutch performer (game-sealing pick 6 against STA) 2022 DE Mason Thomas, and 2023 burgeoning star EDGE Greg Otten. DT Jertavis Black has been the heart and soul of this defense as an interior pass rusher (3.5 sacks) and vocal leader. As good as that defensive line is, a top 2 LB group in South Florida comes to play each and every Friday night. 2021 stud Jack O'Keeffe is an All-State performer that would have hit his 3rd season of 100 TT and 5 sacks if 10 games were played. 2022 3-star LB Tray Brown is potentially the best player overall on this team and will be a 4-year starter and P5 LB when all is said and done. 2021 LB Jai Levison is another unknown that is opening eyes this year as well, averaging 5 TT a game with a sack to go with it. The lack of big names on the back end has some people sleeping, but this group of DBs has produced, allowing just 25 points through 3 games. 2021 S Ty Jones has 2 picks so far, good enough to lead the team. 2021 Corde St Louis is a multi-year contributor that can play corner or safety with seamless transition. 2021 S Hugo Silsby is a special teams demon who might not put up the huge number but plays the alley so well & rarely slips up in coverage. The physical freak of the group is Shyondre Pressley. A solid 5'11 190, Pressley is an imposing enforcer on the back end that can matchup with big body WR/TEs. 2021 S Sanaan Cuffy is another veteran on the backend who is finally getting a chance to contribute on a consistent basis. He will hit you in the mouth and make his presence felt.
American Heritage
Early offensive struggles have been overblown for the Patriot team that rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to a solid Trinity Christian team. The passing game has been a mix of 2021 ATH Vinson Davis and 2021 QB Dylan Romig through the past couple of weeks after the loss of 2023 Blake Murphy due to injury. Davis is the more dynamic athlete and arguably the team's top WR. Romig is your typical pocket passer who has been buried on depth charts, finally getting a chance to show he can play on the big stage. The rushing attack for AHP will be the difference between victory and defeat Friday night. 2023 4-star phenom Mark Fletcher has produced multiple 100-yard games in 2020. His 2023 counterparts Jerry Dinkins and Reggie Foster are potential starters for numerous programs around the area but compliment Fletcher to a T, allowing a rotation that keeps their bell-cow fresh. Beyond Vinson Davis at WR, 2021 Syracuse commit Orande Gadsden II is a 6'3 matchup nightmare as he has exposed some of the best DB units in South Florida with his deceptive speed. 2021 WR Michael Watkins III is a smooth route runner that can be a compliment to Gadsden if Davis is throwing passes. 2021 Nick Whitton and 2022 Emory Clemons are threats not to forget as well, as both are capable of taking advantage of soft coverage. The other side of the ball is where the show is though. Defensively, you could argue there's no group better in South Florida. Led by 5-star UM commit James Williams, a fluke late 26 points by Venice is the only offense that anyone has been able to produce on this ferocious unit. Pass rush wise, 2022 4-star EDGE Marvin Jones Jr has settled in better than anyone could have ever expected at DE, impacting the game even more than Williams in some games. 2022 3-star Richard Thomas has been the best SDE in South Florida going on two years now and added a late boost to an already loaded defense. At LB, 2022 Jaeden Kinlock and 2023 David Vadala are looking like future Power 5 stars. Kinlock is a state-qualifying wrestler that can that flows sideline to sideline. Vadala is a Zach Thomas clone that has averaged close to 10 TT a game through 1 and half seasons. On the back end, 2022 4-star Earl Little is the swiss army knife of the group along with Williams. His ability to take away the slot, which will be Stellato, is crucial in this game. On the outside, 2022 4-star Jacoby Spells is a former WR that is a pick-6 threat every time the ball is thrown his way, similar to the mold of Jaden McBurrows from STA. 2023 Damari Brown is a UM legacy that is next up as the big-time AHP DB after Little graduates. 6'3 S Daemon Fagan is starting to see his recruitment pick up over the past few months due to game-winning plays and center field ability. With all that talent, Boogsie Silvera might the most must-see player of the group. His nickname should be Rockabye Baby because anything in his vicinity has the potential to go to sleep. He is a danger roaming on the backend and WRs know it even before the game starts.
This game should fall in the line with the great battles we have seen these two teams play over the past 5+ years. Overall, both teams are so strong defensively, schematically and talent-wise, that both offenses will be handicapped. I believe veteran QB play out of Palhegyi will be the difference, as even one score might win this game. Look for Troy Stellato to get the majority of attention and one the other talented receivers make a clutch difference.
The Crib Prediction: 14-7, Cardinal Gibbons
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