The bounce back was quick, decisive and very much needed for Iona Prep.
The Gaels created an immediate turn of good fortune after a disappointing performance against Xaverian last week. It took them just two plays to score on their opening drive, three more to get an interception returned for a touchdown and just one more to get another pick to set up a third score.
“That was critical,” Iona Prep coach Vic Quirolo said of the fast start. … “When things are flowing, everything is going well.”
Iona, ranked No. 5 in the CHSFL by The Post, found the end zone five times in the first quarter and again on the first play of the second to begin a dominant, 63-30 win over Fordham Prep in a CHSFL Class AAA game Sunday night at Fordham University’s Coffey Field. The Gaels (4-1, 3-1) led 42-0 after quarterback Mario Biaggi connected with Kyle Bonci for a 33-yard touchdown pass to start the second period.
“We got to keep on playing like this,” the junior signal-caller said. “It was a disappointment last week. We got past that and now we are moving on.”
Biaggi rebounded from a rough performance of his own against the Clippers, one that saw him replaced by Justin Combs in the second half. Versus the Rams (3-2, 2-2) he was 9-of-17 passing for 162 yards and three touchdowns and carried the ball 10 times for 71 yards and a score. Shaquille Townsend rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns of 39, 8, and 1 yards.
“He is such a good player I knew he was going to bounce back from what happened last week,” safety Michael Barbuto said of Biaggi.
It also doesn’t hurt to have your defense play phenomenal along with you. Three plays after Brandon Williams took a screen pass 40 yards for a touchdown, Matthew Berni intercepted a James McHale pass and ran 50 yards for a score. Barbuto followed that right up with the second of three picks of McHale.
Biaggi would scamper in for a 10-yard scoring run and Townsend added TD runs of 39 and 8 yards to put Iona up 35-0 after one quarter. Omari Buster had a 10-yard touchdown catch and Chris Cooper ran a kick off back 88 yards in the second half. Daniel Fischer and Aaqil Sheppard each added interceptions. The Gaels credited an improved week of practice.
“The first half was great for the team and everybody,” Biaggi said. “The second half we got lazy. I didn’t like that that much.”
The Rams, who trailed 49-16 at the half, got within 49-24 early in the third quarter when McHale connected with Brian O’Rourke for a 15-yard touchdown and Logan Williamson for a 2-point conversion with 9:16 left in the third quarter. McHale was 10-of-13 passing for 91 yards and Jack Trimble was 6-for-7 for 69 yards with a touchdown to Williamson and an interception. James Drago added a 2-yard scoring run.
“We got to bring it all four quarters,” Barbuto said.
As well as Iona played they still see themselves as inconsistent. The Gaels played better in the second half against Xaverian and well in their mines for a half against the Rams. In Week 3, it exploded in the second half against Monsignor Farrell. Moving forward is about putting together a complete game.
“We still have a ways to go,” Quirolo said. “We are still light years away from where we want to be. But we made strides which is good.”