When the season began two weeks ago, teams such as American Heritage and Hallandale were the programs that most were chosen to represent District 15-5A. There’s another team to add to that mix as well.

Over the past three years, Cardinal Gibbons has been searching for that right combination to put the program in contention for the playoffs, and even though coach Mike Morrill’s Chiefs have advanced to the playoffs, it’s always been as a runner-up to Glades Central.

With Glades Central out of the district, and getting set to play the first home football night game in the history of the school on Friday against Stranahan, the Chiefs are 2-0, and with some talented young players, this is a program that will not go away.

In last week’s convincing win over Coral Glades, the Chiefs once again used a number of the same young players that are supposed to be learning from the veterans.

Among the seniors figured to make a major impact this season includes defensive back Nicco Whigham, linebacker Erick Hallmon, offensive lineman John Buchanon and kicker Kevin McGlaughlin.

After the game against Stranahan, Cardinal Gibbons will travel to Pompano Beach, host Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs, travel to Dillard and then host back-to-back district games with American Heritage and Hallandale before ending the regular season on the road at Coconut Creek.

“We had a very good summer,” Morrill said. “The young men attended everything possible and showed up to our workouts as well.”

COOPER CITY CONTINUES TO ROLL
If you’ve followed the coaching career of Art Taylor, you know exactly why his teams win.

Hard work, superb conditioning and the belief you can compete against anyone have followed him at all of his successful coaching stops.

Taylor has done much of the same since coming to Cooper City, winning the school’s first ever district last year, and despite St. Thomas being in the same district, he has his team looking very good after a pre-season win over Miami Ferguson, an opening night win against Everglades and last Friday night’s 47-0 win over West Broward.

Lemond Johnson scored three timesand Justin Ingram added another for the 2-0 Cowboys. Seniors Camden Krohn, Jesse Mims and Sam Wilensky also applied the pressure offensively.

Johnson ended the night with 95 yards and 3 scores.

FRIDAY
Northeast at Miramar
Flanagan at Lakeland
Hallandale at South Plantation
Blanche Ely at Taravella
Cooper City at Monarch
Coral Springs at Coconut Creek
Coral Springs Christian at Coral Springs Charter
Cypress Bay at South Broward
Plantation at Dillard
Douglas at Western
Hollywood Hills at Everglades
Pompano Beach at Fort Lauderdale (Lockhart Stadium)
Pines Charter at Nova

Have any feedback - or something to add? Direct all E-Mails to Floridakids1@aol.com. Catch Larry Blustein each and every Tuesday night for the Maroone High School Gridiron Report from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM).