Game Previews: Iona Prep Vs Cardinal Hayes

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Spagnolo</strong> led his Gaels to an <strong>11-2</strong> record in 2024. Iona Prep suffered two early loses against New Jersey Teams like <strong>Bergen Catholic and Delbarton</strong>. Some key wins from last year included <strong>Archbishop Stepinac, St. John the Baptist, Chaminade, Monsignor Farrell, St. Anthony's and Canisius</strong> in the playoffs. So far this season, Iona Prep sits at 3-0, with wins against Somers in Albany, Paramus Catholic in a NJ Vs NY matchup, and St. Joseph By the Sea to open up Catholic League play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gaels started off the season with three straight wins against difficult opponents in Paramus Catholic, St Joseph By the Sea, and Somers. Following this weeks matchup, the Gaels have seven games remaining on their schedule. Key matchups for Iona Prep include <strong>Archbishop Stepinac, Kellenburg Memorial, Chaminade, and St. Anthony's.</strong> The Gaels are the top team in the state for a good reason and I expect a State Championship for Coach Spagnolo and Iona Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/new-rochelle/iona-prep-gaels/football/schedule">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/new-rochelle/iona-prep-gaels/football/schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>2026 DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dalton-lozin/">[player_tooltip player_id='600090' first='Dalton' last='Lozin']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 OL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/anthony-dinapoli/">[player_tooltip player_id='735875' first='Anthony' last='Dinapoli']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 OL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/carlos-malespin/">[player_tooltip player_id='402255' first='Carlos' last='Malespin']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 RB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/crew-davis-2/">[player_tooltip player_id='1001144' first='Crew' last='Davis']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 QB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/julian-guzman/">[player_tooltip player_id='735876' first='Julian' last='Guzman']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 EDGE <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/orion-trujillo/">[player_tooltip player_id='535645' first='Orion' last='Trujillo']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/austin-farrell/">[player_tooltip player_id='741080' first='Austin' last='Farrell']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 DB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mamadee-sangaray/">[player_tooltip player_id='741078' first='Mamadee' last='Sangaray']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Keys To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1001144' first='Crew' last='Davis']</strong>: Davis is one of the top backs in the state, and has excelled in the pass/run game. Getting him the ball is a key to the game.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Pass Catchers</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1624499' first='Joe' last='Wolf'], and Eric Pirelli, are two of a few star pass catchers on the Gaels offense. Feeding the ball to the pass catchers will be a key to winning this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Limit Penalties</strong>: Despite the 37-7 win against Somers, the Gaels had numerous penalties that limited their offense and stopped them from extending their lead. Against a tougher team like Cardinal Hayes, the Gales need to limit penalties if they want to win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cardinal Hayes Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach O'Neil led his Cardinals to an 8-4 record In 2024. Cardinal Hayes made the AAA playoffs where they suffered a semi-final loss to St. Anthony's. The Friars marked two of the four loses last season with DePaul Catholic, and Iona Prep being the other two. Key wins from 2024 included Moore Catholic, Monsignor Farrell, Chaminade, Kellenberg Memorial, and Catholic Memorial. The Cardinals sit at 1-1 through two games this season. Following an opening week win against St. Joseph Collegiate, the Cardinals were shutout by St. Joseph Reigonal (NJ). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cardinals have seven games remaining on their schedule in 2025. Following the matchup against Iona Prep, the Cardinals begin a grueling Catholic League spread, against teams like Archbishop Stepinac, St. Anthony's, St. Peter's, Chaminade, and Monsignor Farrell. Cardinal Hayes ends their season against Mt. St. Michael Academy in what should be an easy win for the Cardinals. Coach O'Neil has an excellent team this season, which should make a deep playoffs run. A grueling schedule awaits the Cardinals through the rest of 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/bronx/cardinal-hayes-cardinals/football/schedule">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/bronx/cardinal-hayes-cardinals/football/schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>2026 ATH <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ahmed-toure/">[player_tooltip player_id='1364921' first='Ahmed' last='Toure'] </a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 OL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ali-farhat/">[player_tooltip player_id='402253' first='Ali' last='Farhat']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 OL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/alyjah-lozada/">[player_tooltip player_id='1364876' first='Alyjah' last='Lozada']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/zaire-walden/">[player_tooltip player_id='1364892' first='Zaire' last='Walden']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 OL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jamarr-malcolm/">[player_tooltip player_id='1649249' first='Jamarr' last='Malcolm'] </a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 QB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kyle-mercorelli/">[player_tooltip player_id='1649268' first='Kyle' last='Mercorelli']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 TE <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/saleh-atariwa/">[player_tooltip player_id='1814209' first='Saleh' last='Atariwa']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/samuel-harris-3/">[player_tooltip player_id='1649260' first='Samuel' last='Harris']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Keys To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Take Advantage</strong>: Penalties and mistakes have hurt this Iona Team in 205, the key to winning this game, is taking advantage of their mistakes and scoring with the field position gained. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Stop The Run</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='1001144' first='Crew' last='Davis'] leads an experienced and deadly backfield. Iona Prep has the ability to pound the rock, and the Gaels will if the run is not stopped. Stopping [player_tooltip player_id='1001144' first='Crew' last='Davis'] and the run is huge in winning this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Stop The Pass</strong>: When you stop the run, Iona Prep can beat you through the air. Stopping the pass will be equally as huge, will [player_tooltip player_id='735876' first='Julian' last='Guzman'] having targets like [player_tooltip player_id='1624499' first='Joe' last='Wolf'], and [player_tooltip player_id='402261' first='Eric' last='Pirrello'], across the field. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->