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<\/p>\nSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Prior to the start of the season, Monsignor Farrell head coach Rocco Del Priore was downright giddy about his team\u2019s prospects in 2025.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons for his optimism was sophomore quarterback Bryce Moye. <\/p>\n
Del Priore had seen enough from his young signal-caller in a handful of late season games in 2024, and he knew Moye would just keep getting better.<\/p>\n
Three months later, the elusive and innovative Moye has the Lions on the doorstep of their first CHSFL AAA crown since 2000.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s (Patrick) Mahomes,\u201d said Del Priore, comparing his QB to that of the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 three-time winning Super Bowl champion QB.<\/p>\n
What makes Moye so good?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s truly a combination of maturity, versatility, and competitiveness he brings every single day,\u201d the coach said. \u201cHe can impact the game in multiple ways, he processes coaching fast, and he has a natural leadership presence that raises the standard for everyone around him. He\u2019s the kind of kid who works like he\u2019s behind, even when he\u2019s ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
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1\/42<\/p>\n
HS Football: Farrell continues remarkable season with 28-6 victory over Sea<\/p>\n
And who\u2019s to argue with the Farrell mentor after watching Moye operate this season in leading the Lions to a 9-1 mark thus far and the No. 2 ranking in the state heading into the CHSFL AAA title game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. vs. defending champion and perennial power Iona Prep at Fordham University in the Bronx.<\/p>\n
All Moye has done this year is throw for 1,765 yards, fire 18 TD passes, run for seven scores and get picked off only once. To boot, he has completed nearly 75 percent of his passes (117 for 157). <\/p>\n
Mahomes … er, Moye … will have to be all that and more against Iona Prep Saturday. The Lions won the regular season matchup between the two schools, 28-21, on the road in a game the Lions led 28-7 at one time. The win knocked IP off their perch as the state\u2019s top-ranked team and put Farrell in the championship conversation. <\/p>\n
\u201cBeating them earlier helps in terms of film and understanding what they like to do, but it can also be a disadvantage if you start thinking it guarantees anything,\u201d said Del Priore, whose Lions dropped a 49-15 decision to IP in the 2021 CHSFL AAA championship game. \u201cThey\u2019ve improved, they\u2019ll adjust, and we have to treat this like a brand-new matchup.\u201d<\/p>\n
No. 2-seeded IP, 9-1, hasn\u2019t lost a game since losing to top-seeded Farrell in Week 7 and really turned heads with a dominating 42-0 semifinal victory over St. Anthony\u2019s last Saturday in a game the Gaels could have put up 60 points. <\/p>\n
Julian Guzman is the trigger man in IP\u2019s offense, passing for 1,907 yards (second in the league). He\u2019s tossed 17 TDs and has only four interceptions. He\u2019s backed by running back Crew Davis, who is third in the league with 1,055 yards to go along with 14 rushing TDs.<\/p>\n
The Farrell defense, which is tops in the AAA and is led by Andrew Doyle, Dan Mastroguilio, Charlie Costanzo, Cole Savino, Anthony Vento and Joe Vitale, slowed down the Gaels once, but can they stop them again?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt starts with discipline. They\u2019re explosive when teams make mistakes, so we need to tackle well, win first down, and limit their chunk plays,\u201d said Del Priore. \u201cOur front has to be disruptive without losing gap integrity, and our secondary needs to stay sound against their play-action. It\u2019s about playing assignment football for four quarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefensively, it\u2019s tackling, discipline, and not letting them dictate tempo. We have to make them earn everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
What scares Del Priore the most about IP?<\/p>\n
\u201cThey run a few core plays extremely well out of multiple looks, and their runners are tough, downhill kids,\u201d he said. \u201cTheir defense is talented enough to change a game fast.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Lions came out of last Saturday\u2019s 34-3 semifinal win against Chaminade relatively healthy and are set to roll.<\/p>\n
Farrell running back Kevin Gumb, the division\u2019s top rusher with 1,276 yards, including 15 TDs, keeps defenses honest and away from Moye.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Moye\u2019s favorite target is his twin brother, Braxton, who is second in the division with 617 yards on 39 receptions, including seven TDs. <\/p>\n
\u201cOffensively, it\u2019s about efficiency \u2014 winning the line of scrimmage, staying ahead of the sticks, and finishing drives,” Del Priore said. <\/p>\n
No matter how many athletes each team has, Del Priore said the game will be won in the trenches. <\/p>\n
\u201cChampionships are won up front, and their ability to control the trenches will dictate how the game flows,\u201d he said. \u201cIf they set the tone early, it changes everything for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Del Priore said he hasn\u2019t talked much to his troops about the Lions\u2019 championship drought: \u201cWe don\u2019t dwell on history \u2014 we focus on the group in front of us. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut the kids know what a championship would mean to the school and the alumni. They take pride in trying to leave their mark, not carry the weight of something from years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
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