By ALEX SPONSELLER For the eighth time in the past 10 seasons, the Bishop Hendricken Hawks will square off against the rival La Salle Rams for the football state championship this weekend at Cranston Stadium.

Hendricken has largely dominated the matchup, winning seven of those contests including last spring when it took home a 43-22 decision.

Once again, the Hawks and Rams have separated themselves from the pack in Division I and each team went undefeated in league play this fall. The two teams are virtually even on paper heading into the matchup.

“The key is staying locked in and not letting outside things distract us. It’s going to come down to whoever plays a better football game that day. Each team is very physical and talented in many ways, so it’s going to come down to who is more physical and who wants it more,” said senior captain Brandyn Durand, who enjoyed a big performance in last year’s title game by picking up scores on both offense and defense. “There is nothing like it, it’s like two Goliaths going at it. I know that it is a repeat matchup, but there really is nothing like it in the state of Rhode Island.”

Hendricken had a tough schedule this fall, not only going up against the state’s elite but also taking on multiple out-of-state powerhouses. Hendricken dropped two non-league games early in the regular season, which has paid dividends leading up to this point according to quarterback David Lynch.

“We are ready. We had a good week of practice, have really gotten back to the fundamentals and are locked in. We’ve tasted defeat and know how to deal with that now. It made us better and tougher, more physical, it really helped us out,” said Lynch. “This is very special, especially our senior year, to be able to play (La Salle) again is great and everything comes full circle with the state championship.”

This was the second straight year that the teams were unable to play against each other during the regular season thanks to weather and COVID-related issues. Although the Hawks have never relied purely on game film, head coach Keith Croft admitted that it is a challenge.

“It’s difficult, last spring was the same way. It’s different not having film on each other. Things and certain matchups can change throughout the year so it’s not always 100 percent helpful, but it is different not having it, we would have preferred it” said Croft.

The key in the match will be tight defense and not allowing game-altering plays, according to Croft.

“You can’t give up big plays and you can’t give up big chunks. Those guys can get after it, they’re going to make their plays, but you just have to minimize them,” Croft said. “We have to have some extended drives on offense and play well on defense. Our defense has played well all year. This is just another game that they’re going to have to step up and play good.”