Dante Torres tosses 4 TDs, runs for 2 as St. Anthony's claims CHSFL AAA title
Dante Torres of St. Anthony's reacts after scoring at the CHSFL AAA championship against Iona Prep on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Uniondale. Credit: Dawn McCormick
St. Anthony’s senior quarterback Dante Torres doesn’t have to look back anymore.
He should only look forward after completing a stellar career with a performance for the ages on the biggest stage.
Torres threw for 336 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for two scores and another 173 yards to lead St. Anthony’s to a 50-18 win over defending champion Iona Prep for the Catholic High School Football League AAA championship Saturday night at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
Torres connected with wide receiver Korey Duff Jr. for an 85-yard touchdown strike to open the scoring and found the 6-4 1⁄2 junior for three more scores of 30, 29 and 10 yards.
“I threw an interception in double overtime in a semifinal loss against Iona Prep last year and it just stayed with me,” Torres said.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I wanted to play them again in the playoffs. This was the perfect stage on a beautiful night to bring the championship back to St. Anthony’s.”
The demons that crowded Torres’ mind were eradicated Saturday night after he totaled an almost unbelievable 509 yards of total offense.
“Those negative vibes are gone,” he said. “I’m blessed. Our team made this opportunity possible and I’m so happy.”
St. Anthony’s captured 11 of 13 Class AAA titles from 2001 through 2013. This was a CHSFL-record 15th title for the Friars.
“It’s about time we bring the championship trophy back to our school,” St. Anthony’s coach Joe Minucci said.
“It feels great to be on top again. These guys are special. They put in the work in the offseason and dedicated themselves in the weight room. Especially Dante, who has matured physically and become an outstanding leader. He took last year’s loss so personal, and I’m just thrilled for him. He was spectacular tonight.”
Torres was at his best in the first half as the Friars built a 29-12 lead.
In the second quarter, he capped a six-play, 57-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run to make it 14-6.
Iona Prep (9-2) turned the ball over on its next possession when Kenyon Miles made the first of the Friars’ four interceptions. Two plays later, Torres dropped back to pass, sat in the pocket and decided to bolt down the middle of the field. He split two defenders, picked up a block from Ian Strong and went 76 yards for a 22-6 lead with 6:14 left in the half.
“All I saw was open grass,” Torres said. “Ian made a great block downfield and I was off.”
St. Anthony’s defensive player of the game Vincent Spina picked off Ajani Sheppard on Iona’s next series and returned the ball 25 yards to the 20. Three plays later, Torres fired a 30-yard scoring strike to Duff for the 29-6 lead.
The second half was more of the same. The St. Anthony’s defense intercepted Sheppard on the Gaels’ first drive of the third quarter. Jaeden Jenkins grabbed his second pick of the game and set up a 66-yard scoring drive capped by Frank Ruta’s 23-yard TD run.
“We were flying around and making plays in the secondary,” Minucci said. “Iona runs so well, so we focused on stopping the run to force them to pass.”
Torres found Duff for a score in the third and fourth quarters to seal the win.
“Dante was point-on all game,” Duff said. “The line gave him time and he found his receivers.”
St. Anthony’s scored on six of its last seven possessions. Duff finished with seven receptions for 205 yards.
“It’s been too long, and it feels so good,” Minucci said. “What a night to be a Friar.”
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
