Iona Prep vs. Monsignor Farrell Preview

Iona Prep is facing Monsignor Farrell in a heavyweight match on Friday, November 21st at Fordham's campus in the Bronx. The two CHSFL powerhouses <a href="https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ny/staten-island/organization/14845/monsignor-farrell-high-school/team/31452/boys-varsity-football/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0MjIzMzI0MA%3D%3D">squared off earlier in the season in a game hosted by Iona Prep</a>, which Monsignor Farrell took 28-21, despite Iona Prep out gaining them in yardage 427-345.    Keys to the game:   Iona Prep:    . Control time of possession in this game: Longer, methodical drives will help to limit <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22510773/Bryce-Moye">[player_tooltip player_id='1283757' first='Bryce' last='Moye']</a> and Farrell's explosive offense from seeing the field. These long drives will also help to keep Moye out of rhythm. Iona has a strong defense, which has already pitched multiple shutouts this year, but can't count on getting frequent stops against a team that seldom turns the ball over.    . Establish the line of scrimmage and the run game: Iona Prep boasts an unbelievably dynamic backfield with senior quarterback <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18465779/Julian-Guzman">[player_tooltip player_id='735876' first='Julian' last='Guzman']</a> and UNC commit <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19263190/Crew-Davis">[player_tooltip player_id='1001144' first='Crew' last='Davis']</a>. Getting these two going early and often will help to limit Farrell's time of possession. It was also part of their recipe for gaining 427 yards against Farrell in their previous meeting, where Davis and Guzman combined for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Get back to what worked, and put the ball in the endzone.    Guzman is an explosive running threat at the quarterback position that's got some serious wiggle to him. He's hard to track down in the open field, and is a nightmare for opposing defensive lineman. He's aggressive, attacking downfield and in tight windows, with the arm strength to match. He's effective throwing on the move, but the true key to this offense is the one-two punch of him and [player_tooltip player_id='1001144' first='Crew' last='Davis'].     Crew is a quick back with a powerful lower half, currently committed to UNC for both football and lacrosse. He's got a really explosive first cut, as well as disciplined patience behind the line of scrimmage. Flashes strong hands. Strong in between tackles, churns legs really well, with speed to run away from the second level.    . Pass rush must contain and limit missed tackles: Moye is at his best when out of structure and moving outside of the pocket. Granted, he's pretty good when he's in the pocket too, but the out of structure plays tend to be explosive. Protect the edges, stop him from getting free outside the pocket, make life easier for the DBs in the back end. Limiting explosives, keeping them on script, and getting stops should be the priority.   Monsignor Farrell:   . Stack the box: Farrell has a strong defensive line, led by <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18403874/Cole-Savino">[player_tooltip player_id='1397417' first='Cole' last='Savino']</a>-one of the leading sack getters in New York High School Football. Iona's run game is central to what they do, and they were able to lean on it in the last meeting between these two teams. Can't let them do the same thing twice. Guzman is a more than capable passer, but Iona going to their passing game means more time and possessions for Moye and the Farrell offense.     Savino is a versatile pass rusher, able to produce on the inside or outside, with a variety of different ways to win. He's got powerful hands, a good get off, and even flashes a spin move. He's a powerful, relentless tackler who wraps up consistently. And while he's amongst the sack leaders in New York, he's very effective against the run as well. He finishes plays and plays until the whistle, not much more you can ask for from a pass rusher.    . Attack horizontally: Get Moye on the move outside the pocket early. Let him get creative and do his thing. Bootlegs, play action, option. He is best when working in space. Get [player_tooltip player_id='805722' first='Kevin' last='Gumb Jr']. on the edge, let him spread the defense out too. The more space this offense has to work with the better, and the more aggressive they can be in the passing game. They want to get vertical, and getting horizontal early will help.    Moye is a future P4 quarterback. He's got a rare combination of athleticism and advanced mechanics. It's not often you see a quarterback on the younger side that looks so consistently poised and has such clean, consistent mechanics. His drops are clean and his release is quick. He's able to generate velocity from unorthodox platforms as well as moving to either his left or his right. He excels off script in broken plays, and is elite at protecting the football.    . Play your game: Iona already plays winning football. They don't turn the ball over, they hit explosive plays, they rush the passer. It's an efficient formula for winning. And-not to mention-they won this game already, at Iona Prep! They need to play their brand of football, force Iona to play their brand of football, and they'll be just fine.   My official prediction for the game is 21-14, with Monsignor Farrell winning. I think it'll be close once again, I don't think it will be as high scoring with these two teams having seen each other once already, but I'm going with Farrell because I think their defense will not let Iona establish the run like they did in their previous matchup.

Iona Prep is facing Monsignor Farrell in a heavyweight match on Friday, November 21st at Fordham's campus in the Bronx. The two CHSFL powerhouses squared off earlier in the season in a game hosted by Iona Prep, which Monsignor Farrell took 28-21, despite Iona Prep out gaining them in yardage 427-345.