While Mike Morrill isn’t someone who likes to look too far ahead, he has to like what he sees when thinking about the future of his Cardinal Gibbons football team.

The Chiefs, who have been in the playoff mix over the past few years, have always had to answer to powerhouse Glades Central when speaking of district titles. But the with the Raiders out of the district this season, things look very promising.

In last week’s season opener, which was the BCAA Game of the Week, the Chiefs sloshed their way to an impressive win over Taravella in Coral Springs, and in the process, turned a few heads in the football community.

The win over the 6A Trojans illustrated just how far this 2A team has come.

This is not a program that was put together overnight. The Chiefs have been building toward this year over the past few seasons, and while many will not consider this program a true force until it wins a big game, that could come this season - a year that features several tough games.

“We opened against a very good Taravella team,” Morrill said. “Next up is Hollywood Hills, another team many are picking to win its district. Then, we have the ultimate test with the defending national champions (St. Thomas) at home.”

In addition to district foes St. Andrew’s, Pompano Beach and American Heritage, the Chiefs also have Northeast, Ely, Coral Springs and 2B power Miami Monsignor Pace on the schedule.

On offense, this is a team that rides the legs of 5-6, 175-pound senior running back Daryeon Chance and Texas Tech-bound receiver Shawn Corker. But there are others who have made an impact. Players such as senior quarterback Chris Rapka, running back Eric McLamore and receiver Jory Gohagen, lineman Jeff St. Thomas and kicker Drew Zloch, and junior receiver Jack Crittenberger and lineman Bobby Hart.

As impressive as the offense has been, the defense has been just as sound with senior defensive back Garrett Smith, John Mahoney and linebacker Keelan Wilks, and juniors Denzel Wimberly, Frank D’Annunzio, Tanner Motta and impressive defensive back/receiver Tim Burton. Even sophomore linebacker Erick Hallmon was proven that he could be one of the best around.

“This is a program that has built through hard work and dedication to getting better,” said Offensive Coordinator Matt Dubuc. “I can’t say enough about the way each and every member of this team has put the trust into the coaches.”

THIS WEEK
Each week, we will have a list of games involving BCAA teams for you to go and check out.

The game that most will be watching will be Friday night as the defending national champion St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders will be hosting (0-1) Boyd Anderson. The Cobras are hoping that they have all the mistakes from the first week out of their system when they play the 1-0 Raiders.

Here are some other games:
THURSDAY
Coral Springs at Stanching (Lockhart)

FRIDAY
Cardinal Gibbons at Hollywood Hills (McArthur)
Taravella at Coconut Creek (Pompano Beach)
Nova at Cooper City
Coral Glades at Douglas
Sommerset at Coral Springs Charter (Coral Glades)
Plantation at Cypress Bay
Dillard at Deerfield Beach (Lockhart)
Ely at South Plantation
Miramar at Everglades
McArthur at Hallandale
Western at South Broward
Pompano Beach at Chaminade (4 p.m.)
West Broward at Pines Charter (Flanagan)

SATURDAY
Piper at Monarch (Lockhart)

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).