After covering high school football in four different decades, you get a certain feeling about a player or a team that simply cannot be described.

Cardinal Gibbons Football

While much of the attention around Broward County has centered on St. Thomas Aquinas, and for good reason, there’s another story beginning to unfold, and while we have watched this program reach a high level, Cradinal Gibbons is on the verge of becoming “one of those teams” people are starting to talk about.

If you missed a Chiefs’ game this season, you missed a real treat. This is not a program ready to win a state title, but things are certainly pointed in that direction.

While this school has produced quality talent throughout the years, such as Donnell Bennett, Fred Buckley, Matt Dubuc and current Georgia kicker Blair Walsh, to mention a few of many, there has never been a major college talent pool the likes that head coach Mike Morrill and his staff have to work with this season.

Last Friday’s heart-wrenching 35-30 loss to the No. 1 team in 3A, Glades Central, has to back up that the Chiefs are indeed the team of the future around this county. While many will simply not buy into what’s happening just over a mile from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the talent is right there for the watching.

Junior running back Daryeon Chance is someone I have watched since he took back a kick in the rain for the only score in Lauderhill’s shocking win over Western at the 80-pound level. Chance is so impressive, former Oakland Raider and FSU star receiver Jessie Hester said that the gifted back was the toughest his Glades Central Raiders had watched. In fact, he spoke highly about a number of players who have been overlooked by colleges across the country.

Chance is a special back who I predicted would make a major impact at this level. He is a great kid and committed to being the best running back around. In a county loaded with tremendous backs, there is not one who runs any harder or works any longer to prepare. He shredded one of the top teams in the state - with players going to every major college in the Southeast!

One of the players that many colleges are missing the boat on is senior quarterback Chris Schirippa. This 6-1, 190-pounder has the arm strength, mobility, strength and leadership to play at the next level. Every team he has competed against, with the exception of St. Thomas, and that Raider team is the best in the country, he has owned.

Schirippa has been on target, clutch and a quality teammate to have. While Eugene Smith and Ryan Becker are impressive, you have to figure that the player he has to work with are not at the level the Patriots and Raiders have respectively.

In addition to Schirippa, the Chiefs have other players who are being looked at by colleges all over the country such as tight end Joseph Fitzpatrick, Jovan Condry (DB/RB), linebacker James Rogers, lineman Joey St. Thomas, receiver Kyle Robiskie, the son of former Miami Dolphins’ coach and NFL standout Terry Robiskie.

Junior defensive back Garrett Smith is special. So are receivers Jory Gohagen and Sean Corker, kicker Drew Zloch, whose father was  standout in college at Notre Dame. Other juniors include quarterback Chris Rapka, running back Eric McLamore, linebackers Keelen Wilks and Elliott Brady, and safety John Mahoney, who is one of the best in the class.

The sophomore class is also very impressive. Players such as defensive back Tim Burton and defensive tackle Bobby Hart.

Freshman linebacker Erick Hallman, the son of former Miami Hurricane, Jack Hallman, is one of the rising players in the class of 2012.

NEXT WEEK: The district race tightens up as key matchups are taking place such as the nationally-televised contest between Deerfield Beach, No. 1 in 6A vs. St. Thomas, No. 1 in 5A on Friday night at 8!

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).