State Champs: Iona Prep captures Catholic crown with win in snowy Buffalo

The challenge of winning in Buffalo on Saturday was maybe only rivaled by Iona Prep’s quest to get back home later that night.

Despite snowy conditions on the field — and on the Western New York roads — the Gaels accomplished both missions this weekend. They plowed past Canisius in the NYS Catholic State Championship, 42-26, as Crew Davis paved the way to the program’s second title in four seasons.

Davis, a junior running back, piled up 336 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries despite slick and windy conditions at Stransky Field in West Seneca, NY.

It was the second sensational effort in a row for Davis, who ran for 224 yards and four touchdowns in the NYCHSFL AAA Final win over St. Anthony’s last week.

Julian Guzman threw for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 8 of 13 passing. Matt Davitt, Mamadee Sangaray and Joe Wolf all caught touchdowns for Iona Prep, which had a 21-20 halftime lead before scoring three straight times in the second half.

Zander Poole and Geoffrey Galloway each had an interception for the Gaels.

The win was the 10th straight for Iona Prep, whose only two losses this season came to New Jersey powers Delbaton and Bergen Catholic, which again won the state’s Non-Public title on Friday.

Kevin Devaney Jr.

Kevin Devaney Jr.

Kevin Devaney Jr. has been covering high school sports in the Hudson Valley since 1998, working with The Journal News and LoHud.com, MSG Varsity and News 12 Varsity. He currently is Vice President of Digital Content at LocalLive Networks (locallive.tv), while also operating his own website KDJMedia.com

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