Game 5
The Lions celebrate freshman Braxton Moye's TD reception (Ed Seaman/smugmug.com photo)
Lions nearly upset Hayes, the #2 ranked team in NY State
The Lions had the defending CHSFL AAA champions on the ropes, but could not hang on to upset Hayes, falling to the Cardinals 18-12 at Columbia University. Hayes, ranked #2 in New York State by MaxPreps, were led by Syracuse University-bound quarterback Rich Belin who threw for three touchdowns in the game.
Without starting running back and senior co-captain Nafis Muhammad, the Lions opened the scoring when quarterback Ryan Walsh connected with freshman Braxton Moye for 13 yards (the two-point conversion attempt failed).
Defensively, the Lions held Belin (the 2023 NYS Gatorade Player of the Year), and the Hayes offense in check on its first few possessions.
With just over 7 minutes remaining in the first half, kicker Jake Burrowes hit his first of 2 field goals, this one from 32 yards to put the Lions up 9-0.
Belin threw for touchdowns on the next two Cardinals' possessions, giving Hayes a 12-9 lead with 3:34 remaining in the half (both PATs failed). Burrowes struck again before the half, this time from 42 yards to even the score at 12-12 heading into the locker room.
After a scoreless third quarter, Hayes went up for good with just under 11 minutes to play after Belin connected with Ken-G Burnham from 8 yards out.
“Our defense gave a great effort,” head coach Rocco Del Priore '05 told the Staten Island Advance. Del Priore's defense did an impressive job containing Belin, who led the Cardinals to a 12-2 record and the Catholic State Championship last season. As a junior, Belin threw for 3,059 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding another 1,326 yards and 19 scores on the ground. “We went deep with personnel and the boys did a good job neutralizing their QB. Unfortunately, we came up a few plays short," said Del Priore.
The Lions take down Hayes QB Rich Belin. Left to right; LB Daniel Mastroguilio, DE Cole Savino, and DB Will Andrade. (Ed Seaman/smugmug.com photo)