Chaminade walked into Rhode Island needing a response, and it got one in the loudest way possible.
After opening the 2026 season with a frustrating 21-10 loss to Kellenberg Memorial, the Flyers went on the road Saturday and knocked off reigning RIIL Division I state champion Bishop Hendricken, 18-17, on a touchdown as time expired. Senior quarterback Sean Carnevale delivered the final blow, finding senior receiver Michael Genovese on a 34-yard strike in the end zone with no time left.
The win came at the end of a back-and-forth game that never really let either side breathe. Hendricken struck first in the opening quarter when senior quarterback Isaiah Brito connected with senior receiver Javien Valle, who turned it into a 31-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Chaminade answered in the second quarter with the kind of steady work that kept it in range. Junior Kellan Stapleton drilled field goals from 30 and 25 yards before halftime, trimming the Hawks’ advantage to 7-6.
After a scoreless third quarter, Hendricken pushed the margin back out. Brito went to Valle again, this time on an 8-yard touchdown pass, to make it 14-6 in the fourth quarter.
But Chaminade kept coming. Junior tailback Michael Gowen broke free to the left and took it to the end zone, pulling the Flyers within two after they missed the 2-point try. Even then, Hendricken still held a 17-12 lead with a few minutes remaining.
The Hawks appeared to have it wrapped up when senior cornerback Jamel Flomo intercepted a pass in the end zone with two minutes left. That only set up one last chance for Chaminade, and the Flyers moved quickly in hurry-up mode before Carnevale uncorked the game-winner to Genovese in the corner of the end zone.
For Chaminade, it was the kind of answer it needed after that opening stumble. The Flyers are ranked in High School On SI’s New York Preseason Football Rankings, and they left Rhode Island with a statement road win to match that billing.
Chaminade is now 1-1 and will host Seton Hall Prep (NJ) next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Bishop Hendricken will welcome the Hand Tigers (CT) on Friday at 6 p.m.
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