Football: Iona Prep overcomes first-game jitters to top RI state champ Bishop Hendricken

NEW ROCHELLE - With a road trip to defending league champ Cardinal Hayes looming next week, Iona Prep had just one game to refine itself. That arrived in the form of Saturday's non-league season opener against Bishop Hendricken, the seven-time defending Rhode Island state champ.

The Gaels will have plenty to dissect in the coming days — "flooky things," coach Joe Spagnolo called them. That they still scored 40 points, pitched a second-half shutout and ended their opponent's 27-game winning streak said a lot about the team's perspective.

It was that type of day during Iona Prep's exhale-inducing 40-22 win.

"Today was a good day to get that all out," senior Malkelm Morrison said. "We had a lot of penalties. Coach is probably going to make us run for it. That’s good we got all that out so next week it won’t happen."

Iona Prep actually trailed 22-21 at one point and nearly fell behind again in the third quarter. Instead, the defense held inside its 5 and Morrison blocked a field goal to preserve a 27-22 lead. Junior quarterback Derek Robertson went on to toss two touchdown passes and finished with four total in his much-anticipated debut.

"We gave up 22 points in the first half, but a lot of that was unforced errors," Spagnolo said. "We muffed a couple kickoffs and were on the wrong side of the 50 most of the day."

Morrison returned a kickoff 85 yards for a score and Robertson and newcomer Camari Gasglow both had productive debuts. There were also juggled kickoffs, missed blocks and three Robertson interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

"I don't think he threw three picks all preseason combined," Spagnolo said.

"I’ve definitely been waiting for a while," Robertson said. "It wasn’t the best, but we went out there and got the win. Our defense played big. The defense definitely stepped up."

Robertson's best throw came on a 69-yard strike to Jacob Hargraves, a speedy defensive back who played just two offensive snaps. Hargraves made a fingertip grab in stride and went the distance.

Robertson also connected on two touchdowns to Sean Fleming, including a one-handed Fleming grab in the back corner of the end zone. Iona Prep's leading receiver, Matthew Panker, had four catches for 78 yards and a score starting in place of senior Michael DeGasperis, who was out with a high-ankle sprain.

By the numbers

Iona Prep (1-0) — Robertson finished 19 for 32 for 235 yards. ... Gasglow had 14 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown. Ki'Shyne Shipmon had 13 touches for 65 yards.

Bishop Hendricken (0-1) — The Hawks were outgained 409-270, but got rushing touchdowns from Tom Comella and Devin Rivet. Dylan Gardner had two of the interceptions, including the touchdown return.

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