The Bishop Hendricken football team enters the 2023 season in unusual territory after falling to rival La Salle in the state championship last November. It was the first in-state loss the Hawks suffered since the 2017 championship, when the Rams got the win as well.

With plenty of returning standouts set to lead the charge for the Hawks, Hendricken is once again looking like an early season favorite to make a deep run.

“We just need hard work and with dedication. We had a big offseason so now we’re just trying to work together as a team,” said senior quarterback Jayden Falcone, who is entering his second season as the team’s signal caller.

Also returning on offense are running backs Oscar Weah and Ronjai Francis, who formed perhaps the state’s best rushing duo in 2022.

Falcone is looking forward to getting back on the field with those guys and feels comfortable heading into his second year as the firm starter at his position.

“(Continuity) is going to help a lot. We have a lot of returners on offense and defense. It will help building the team again so we will be good,” said Falcone, who has made strides especially as a passer. “Especially in the pocket, having that pocket presence. Being able to make those throws under pressure, experience helps a lot.”

Leading the defense will be senior end Rushaune Vilane. Vilane is regarded by many as the state’s best edge rusher and received an offer from the University of Rhode Island as a sophomore. After a big campaign last year, he has continued to garner attention from Division I programs including Boston College, UMass Amherst, University of Connecticut and Brown University.

Vilane felt that the team let its guard down in the title game last fall which has lit a fire so far in the preseason.

“We went into it a little bit lazy. We thought it was going to be a relaxed game that’s not how it was. We’re hungry this year and everyone has been competing at practice,” said Vilane. “On defense, it’s not going to be about the plays, it’s going to be about heart. As seniors, it’s our last season as Hawks so we have to give it our all.”

Hendricken will open its season with two games against out of state opponents and will take on its first league opponent when the North Kingstown Skippers head to Warwick on Sept. 15. The Hawks will take on La Salle on Oct. 13 on the road.