By Amara Grautski

Iona Prep held on to win, 26-13, over home team Poly Prep at the Steinberg Athletic Complex in Brooklyn.

HOW THE GAME WAS WON: Iona Prep piled on an 18-point lead in the match-up's first 20 minutes before Poly Prep was able to score. During the drought, even Blue Devils’ kicker Nick D’Orazio missed left on a 16-yard field goal.

Poly Prep’s only offense came from quarterback Kevin Gebon, who ended the first half with a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior Dylin Lewis and the third quarter with another to junior Cameron Stapleton.

Although Poly Prep had cut the deficit to 5, Gaels' junior quarterback Mario Biaggi III floated an 18-yard touchdown pass in the game’s waning moments, extinguishing any intimation of a comeback.

TURNING POINT: Trying to hold a 5-point lead with eight minutes remaining, the Gaels' defense brought down Poly Prep freshman Chris Parker in his own end zone for a safety.

"Somewhere in that third quarter it was kind of their game," Iona Prep coach Vic Quirolo said of the Blue Devils. "I think [with] the safety, we kind of took it back."

Iona Prep took advantage of the ensuing drive with running back Shaquille Townsend taking the ball 38 yards on five carries, before Biaggi connected with senior wide receiver Omari Buster on the 18-yard touchdown reception – a play Biaggi called the "finishing touch."

Iona Prep would hold the 26-13 lead for the remaining six minutes.

STAR OF THE GAME: Poly Prep ran eight plays for 31 yards in its first possession, while Iona Prep went 82 yards on one. Moments after Biaggi was handed the ball in the first quarter he hauled it downfield to junior Austin Jones for a touchdown.

And despite missing a few minutes of playing time while suffering a leg cramp in the fourth quarter (Fabian Reece filled in for a possession), Biaggi threw three touchdown passes and ran for another during a performance that included 194 passing yards and 64 more on the ground.

"Once I got the leg going, I was feeling good," Biaggi said after the win. "I was ready to score again."

Buster also caught two touchdowns and tallied 64 receiving yards for Iona Prep.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Gebon actually had the stats of a winning quarterback. Although inconsistent in the second half, the senior was 16 for 26 with 188 passing yards. He also rushed for 147 yards.