The Hawks handled the North Kingstown Skippers 30-14 on Friday night during the State Football Semifinal.

With the victory, Hendricken moves on to play in the State Championship against La Salle Academy on Sunday, November 21 at noon at Cranston Stadium.

“I’m really happy,” Hendricken head coach Keith Croft said. “The kids played a great game. They played with a lot of heart, a lot of emotion, and obviously that’s a game we had to have. We told the kids, we’ve been through a lot of adversity this year; a lot of different things, and the kids battled back. A lot of people doubted us, and we’re where we need to be."

Hendricken drew a 6-0 edge midway through the first quarter, when senior running back Kamalie Pemberton rushed into the end zone from five yards out. Next, kicker John Humm added the extra point and upped the Hawks lead to 7-0.

During the ensuing kickoff, North Kingstown sophomore Brayden Rogers returned the ball to the Skippers 30 before he was pummeled and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Oscar Weah of Hendricken.

Five plays later, Weah rushed in for the score from three yards out and extended the Hawks buffer to 14-0.

Midway through the second half, Skippers defensive back Andrew Ciarniello picked off Hendricken wide receiver Andrew Picard, who attempted a reverse pass, and then North Kingstown took over at its own 45 and got within 14-7 when quarterback Eddie Buehler completed a 15-yard pass to Evan Beattie, who juked past defenders on his way to the end zone. Next, Brady Spitzer, the kicker, added the extra point.

The Skippers defense forced four interceptions during the contest, but the offense was only able to turn one into points.

"We had quite a few more than I wanted to see, but our kids battled back, they didn’t quit, and that’s what matters," Croft said.

Hendricken extended its buffer to 17-7 with 6.5 seconds left in the half when Humm made a field goal from 27 yards out. The three points came after Pemberton rushed 40 yards down the left sideline.

With 8:22 remaining in the third frame, Weah rushed in for his second score, this time from 11 yards out, and that upped the Hawks cushion to 23-7. However, Humm would miss the extra point.

Then, during the final minute of the third frame, Hendricken cornerback Jayden Falcone blocked Spitzer’s punt attempt, and then Nathan Rivas, a safety, recovered the ball and returned it 25 yards to pay dirt, and gave the Hawks a commanding 30-7 advantage.

With 1:36 to play, North Kingstown inched within 30-14 when sophomore running back Victor Encarnacion rushed 19 yards and in for a TD.

Next up, the Hawks will face the Rams, who stomped South Kingstown 42-3 in their State Semifinal.

"We’ve got two weeks to get ready," Croft said. "Have some physical practices and put our best foot forward."