By Charlie Adams

NEFJ Staff

WARWICK — A heated rivalry was back on full display this Friday as Bishop Hendricken took on La Salle. From the coin toss it was clear that neither team had any love lost. The Hawks opened scoring in the second quarter and never trailed from that point on, defeating the Rams, 24-7.

Since 2010, the Hawks have faced the Rams in nine state championships, most recently in 2022. Hendricken is 7-2 in those nine matchups. The last time a state championship didn’t include either team was 1993. No team besides Bishop Hendricken and La Salle has won a state championship since 2009. Two dominant programs with plenty of history seemed primed for another great game, instead penalties stole the show.

A scoreless first quarter ended with Hendricken driving down the field. La Salle picked up two unsportsmanlike penalties on the drive to help the Hawks. The Rams and Hawks both picked up numerous penalties throughout the game.

“In a rivalry game like this, especially earlier in the year, you’re going to get some of that stuff,” Hendricken coach Keith Croft said.

Dylan Lynch started the second quarter with a dangerous deep pass, Sebastian Nault came up with a contested catch to set up Hendricken in the red zone.

“It’s just all about keeping your eyes on the ball, once you got it you just have to be aggressive with it and pull it down. There’s no better feeling,” Nault said.

Lynch followed up the great catch by scoring a 6-yard rushing touchdown on the next play. Scot Belford Jr. put through the extra point to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead.

La Salle answered with a 42-yard touchdown. Samuel Perry found a wide open receiver in Joshua Aceto who was able to accelerate past closing defenders for the score. Maxwell Wallace delivered the PAT to tie the game.

Lynch once again picked up a large gain as he connected with Jonus Rivera through the air to bring Hendricken back into the red zone. Jeremy Dennis took back the lead with a 4-yard rushing touchdown.

Hendricken’s next chance to score came in the second half, but their drive stalled in the red zone. Belford Jr. came on and converted a 25-yard field goal to increase the Hawks’ lead to 17-7.

La Salle’s best chance to score in the second half fell apart as David Carstensen lost control of the football on a rush up the middle. Rollins Sonpon fell on the ball to take possession for Hendricken entering the fourth quarter.

Bishop Hendricken finished their scoring with a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth by Michael DaSilva. Belford Jr. picked up the extra point to conclude a perfect day with three extra points and a field goal.

Campus parking at Bishop Hendricken was full over an hour prior to game time, fans came out in droves to watch the rivalry game. Croft was impressed by the turnout and with his team’s performance.

“Great atmosphere for high school football,” Croft said. “Great effort, it was really well balanced I think everybody contributed. Guys played really hard, couldn’t be prouder.”

La Salle falls to 2-3 on the season, but Croft isn’t writing off the Rams after Hendricken’s strong performance.

“They’re a heck of a football team and we’ll likely see them again in some fashion,” Croft said.

Hendricken travels to Cape Cod next week to take on Barnstable.

“They’re a huge test for us so we’re back to work tomorrow morning,” Croft said. “We know we got to play our best to beat them.”