The Chaminade Flyers soared above the Cardinal Hayes Cardinals on a sunny Saturday morning on Ott Field at Gold Star Stadium, posting a 28-12 victory over their opponent from the Bronx.

First-year Head Coach Kyle Carroll's Flyers improved to 2-0, much to the coach's delight: "It was another solid team win," remarked Carroll after the victory. "These kids did a great job. We put ourselves in bad spots and faced a little bit of adversity at times, but I was proud of how we got out of those bad spots." 

Both teams entered Saturday morning's matchup at 1-0 — the Flyers via a 27-0 win at Kellenberg and the Cardinals a 40-28 victory against Fordham Prep. The high-powered offensive showing for the Cardinals in week one and Chaminade's shutout made for an especially thrilling matchup. 

The Flyers struck first in the game as QB Christian Bekiers found WR Ethan Dorsainvil in the end zone to put Chaminade up a touchdown with 4:12 remaining in the first quarter.

Chaminade carried that momentum into the second quarter, as Bekiers connected with Lucas Dillon, who plowed past the goal line to put Chaminade up by two scores with 5:25 to go in the half. 

The story throughout much of the first half was special teams play, as Cardinal Hayes made costly mistakes on multiple muffed punt returns before they broke through on a monster 90-yard kickoff return touchdown by Jayden Galeas. 

In the second half, Carroll tweaked his offensive gameplan, relying more on the ground game. Bekiers had a multitude of options in the backfield, relying on weapons Mario Carone, Michael Gowen, Alfred Haffner, and Michael Cerone Jr at various times throughout the half. Bekiers also showed off his legs as well, using his mobility to scramble out of the pocket and make plays on the fly, often targeting TE Luca Breglio for short gains.

The Flyers tried to get creative with their strategy, setting up a play in which WR Lucas Dillon passed, but the attempt was bobbled and picked off by DB Erick Baez of the Cardinals.

Nevertheless, Chaminade kept the pressure on. The team allowed a long Cardinal Hayes rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter but otherwise locked down on defense en route to a 16-point margin of victory.

On the defensive side of the ball, Shane Sykes had an interception for Chaminade, and Timothy Dochnal led the way in tackles. Kicker Quinn Fernandez was a perfect 4-for-4 on PAT attempts.

Carroll praised his team's synergy and overall ability to pick each other up during the game:  "Our conditioning paid off. Lots of guys stepped up today, especially [running back Mario] Carone." Carroll said. "We have a tough game ahead against St. Anthony's, and I can't wait to get our guys back out there."

The Flyers will be in South Huntington to take on the Friars this Friday at 4:00 p.m. Cardinal Hayes will look to turn the page at Monsignor Farrell this Saturday in Staten Island.