After long layoff, Cardinal Gibbons football team edges Coconut Creek

The Cardinal Gibbons High football team waited patiently to step on the field and compete.

Due to inclement weather, the Chiefs played a single game over three weeks, prior to visiting Coconut Creek on Saturday.

Despite some rust on offense, the defense was steadfast to earn a hard fought 11-6 non-district victory over the Cougars.

The 11 points scored in the win was Gibbons’ fewest in a victory since defeating DeMatha (Md.) in the opening game of the 2022 season, ironically by the same score as Saturday’s.

“This has been so bizarre as we’re usually used to the hurricanes,” Cardinal Gibbons coach Matt Dubuc said. “Unfortunate on the field, off the field, no practice, practice and now we have another Thursday, Monday and the following Friday.

“Anyhow, we won the game and I’m happy that we won.”

The Cougars (4-1) scored on their opening drive of the second half on a two-yard run by Jordan Thompson cutting the Chiefs lead to 9-6. The touchdown was set up by a 76-yard pass play from quarterback Josiah Sanchious to Everett Butler to the Gibbons 5.

The Gibbons defense stiffened, and later a botched punt attempt by Creek led to a safety with 4:35 left in the third quarter for an 11-6 lead.

With Coconut Creek poised to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs’ defense protected their lead when defensive back Tyson Henlehy broke up a fourth down pass attempt by Sanchious in the end zone.

“Creek is a very good football team,” Dubuc said. “The plan for me was to slow the game down and take as much time off the clock. I told the guys I don’t think we could have done what we did tonight, because we had a very bad defense last year. We have a different attitude.”

Gibbons sacked Sanchious four times.

The Chiefs were very impressive on their opening drive going 70 yards on 13 plays, with sophomore running back Jeremy Douglas running around right end for a nine-yard touchdown. The extra point was missed for a 6-0 lead.

Dominic Celli kicked a 52-yard field goal for 9-0 Chiefs lead with 1:04 left in the first half.

Gibbons won its fifth consecutive matchup against Coconut Creek.

The Cougars (4-1) were looking to begin season at 5-0 for the first time since 2004 under former coach Dan Marguriet. They ended that season at 8-3 losing in the first round of the playoffs to Palm Beach Gardens.

Gibbons next has a pair of make up games on their schedule, on the road against South Broward on Thursday, followed by a Monday game (Sept. 29) at home against West Broward. Both had been postponed due to weather.