FORT LAUDERDALE – Cardinal Gibbons will be in its hometown area for this year’s Class 4A state title game against Cocoa.

This is essentially a rematch from last year’s 4A state semifinal round, when Gibbons blew out Cocoa in a 45-15 road win.

The two-time state title winner is trying to add a third trophy to its championship case tonight (Dec. 16) at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Chiefs (10-2) are led by junior signal caller Dylan Rizk, who passed for a touchdown and ran for another one two weeks ago in the 4A state semifinals against Lakewood. He is looking to get his first state title ring tonight.

“The feeling of winning is awesome,” Rizk said after his team’s 36-18 comeback win at home over Lakewood.

Gibbons also has Iowa State commit and senior defensive end Mason Thomas, who single-handedly gave his team the lead that they did not relinquish. His 55-yard fake punt run for a score was probably one of the best touchdowns anyone has scored this year in all of South Florida.

Guess who else Gibbons has at its disposal?

Let us not forget about junior running back Kamari Moulton, who has been firing on all cylinders since he lost his mother earlier this season.

And then we have senior wide receiver Elisha Edwards, who was in great position to score an insurance touchdown on an end-zone pass from Rizk in the fourth quarter against Lakewood.

In addition to that, Gibbons has a stout offensive line unit that can create holes for its runners and give Rizk enough time to make his reads and throws when it matters the most.

The defense and special teams have been the calling cards for Gibbons in its inspiring playoff run. The defensive line, linebackers, and secondary can force turnovers when necessary, while the kicking game is in good hands by kicker Adrien Alfieri.

All in all, it will take a complete team effort by Gibbons to get past Cocoa (11-1), which is a very well-coached team and has one of the most stable programs in the entire state.

“We have to play four quarters,” Cardinal Gibbons head coach Matt DuBuc said. “We just have to execute and do our thing.”