By Matt Diano:
#2 Monsignor Farrell (6-2) vs. #7 Christ the King (1-7)
When: Saturday November 6th, 2021 @4pm
Where: Monsignor Farrell HS (2900 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY 10306)
Previous Meeting: 1st time this season
Snynopsis: What a week #8 it was for Monsignor Farrell; they went from unsure that they would even be
advancing to the triple-A postseason to now enjoying the comforts of the #2 overall seed in the bracket…Seeking their first Metro crown on the gridiron since the back-to-back seasons in 1999 and 2000, the Anthony Garofalo mentored squad should be heavily favored this Saturday when they play host to the CTK Royals…A program that is extremely well balanced on both sides of the ball, the return of reigning POTW, Messiah Burch (565 yards and 9 touchdowns on just 36 carries) to the line-up during the second half of the year, coupled with a second wave comprised of Aaron Espinet (450 yards, 7 TDs on 60 carries), Cole Abbruzzese (300 yards, 3 TDs, on 46 attempts), and Ethan Yak (234 yards, 1 TD, on 39 touches) should allow the host Lions to chew up significant yardage on the ground. But if they are forced to go to the air, they have a capable signal caller in the person of sophomore, Christian Pinto (54-for-83, 907 yards, 3 TDs) who has done a solid job spreading the ball to the likes of Frank Esposito (20 grabs for 304 yards, 2 TDs), Mateo Bravato (13 catches for 335 yards, 1 TD), and Shawn Keegan (12 snatches for 101 yards)…In addition to the aforementioned Espinet (48 stops, 6 sacks, 5 QB hurries) and Keegan (33 tackles, 1 INT, 6 PDs), Chris Booras (63 tackles, 3 sacks, 6 QB hurries), Paul Ventura (46 tackles, 8 sacks, 5 hurries), John Caufield (42 stops, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 4 pass break-ups), Jameson Sessa (31 stops, 3 sacks, 5 QB hurries), Joseph Badynya (33 tackles, 3 sacks) and Nicholas Souffrin (33 stops, 2 picks, 7 pass defenses) all lead a “D” unit that has allowed south of 15 points per game this fall….Christ the King, which was hit hard by graduation and unforeseeable transfers have struggled this season, with the average score of their games being 37.3 to 13.1 in favor of the opponent. However, the best thing about the playoffs is that it marks a fresh start for everyone. With these sentiments in mind, look for senior tailback, Samarki Williams (461 yards, 6 touchdowns on 78 touches) to do everything he can to preserve his last year donning the Royal jersey.
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#3 Archbishop Stepinac (6-2) vs. #6 Kellenberg Memorial (4-4)
When: Sunday November 7th, 2021 @1:30pm
Where: Archbishop Stepinac HS (950 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605)
Previous Meeting: 1st Meeting of the Season
Synopsis: Cutting through all of the clatter and whatnot, the truth of the matter is that when it comes to the AAA division, Crusader Head Coach, Mike O’Donnell, has built a machine! Finalists every season since 2014 with titles in ‘14, ‘15, ‘17, and ‘18, the gents from White Plains have spent so many Mid-November weekends at Mitchel Field, the school might as well purchase it as a winter home/retreat house. And this year’s cohort absolutely has the talent to keep this streak of title-game appearances going!!!…The owners of the top offense in the triple-A division, the Red, White, and Blue juggernaut is posting an alarming 39 points per appearance this season and it all
starts with two gentlemen—senior signal caller, James McCauley (96-for-142, 1,695 yards, 18 touchdowns) and junior WR/RB hybrid, Dae’Shawn Allen (40 receptions for 772 yards, 8 touchdowns; 151 yards and 3 more scores rushing on 19 carries). McCauley has thrown for two or more TDs on five occasions this year, including three in a row during weeks 6-8; Allen himself has been on fire, as he has found paydirt NINE times (3×3) in his last three outings. Gjok Dedvukaj (34 grabs for 566 yards, 3 TDs), Serge Lagardere (20 snatches for 244 yards, 3 touchdowns), and Jahi Gary (10 grabs for 184 yards, 4 TDs) are all equally dangerous targets in the aerial game. Lagardere also has the distinction of possibility being the most feared special teamer in NYS (4 KO or punt returns for “6”). The land attack has not been as prominent as years past for A.S., but junior, Bryce Davis (271 yards, 5 TDs on 49 carries) is quite capable and enters off of his second multi-score of the game in the regular season finale…JT Krivinskas (99 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries), Christopher DeMartino (88 stops, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, Ryan Amos (80 tackles, 4 sacks), Wayne Coleman (60 stops, 3 sacks), Jaime Padilla (54 tackles, 5 sacks), John Prince (32 stops, 5 sacks), Jack Donahoe (49 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 6 pass break-ups), and Devin Costello (31 stops, 2 picks, 3 PDs) headline a defense that has been slightly inconsistent, but incredibly formidable when locked in….For the visiting Firebirds, their 4-4 record does not come close to telling the full story. With the exception of a 35-6 loss to the #1 ranked team in the Empire State/#1 seed in the AAA playoff [Iona Prep], the ‘Berg has been in position to win every game they have played this season. And a big reason for this success has been the emergence of junior quarterback, Devin Page (86-of 134, 1,089 yards, 13 touchdowns throwing; 353 yards and two more TDs with his legs). Not even expected to see much field time at the onset of the season, the 11th grader has operated so fluidly in all areas of the game that he makes us think that an upset this weekend could come to fruition. Aiding him in making this smooth transition to varsity stardom has been an array of receivers—Peter von Schoenermarck (30 receptions for 331 yards, 3 touchdowns), Aidan Henry (21 catches for 275 yards, 3 TDs), Sean Cannon (20 grabs for 296 yards, 1 score), Jaden Lyon (12 catches for 146 yards, 5 touchdowns), and Gilbert Rivera (11 snatches for 269 yards, and five scores). von Schoenermarck has been especially clutch down the stretch, as 19 of his 30 receptions have come in the past three weeks, including his finest effort of the year (6 catches for 67 yards, 2 TDs) in the week #8 victory that guaranteed KMHS a spot in the bracket. While Kevin Hanifan’s charges are certainly able to light up the scoreboard (31ppg), the last thing they want to do is get into a shootout with “John Wayne”. So, look for them to try to establish the running attack courtesy of both Page and senior RB, Brendan Leahy (379 yards, 4 scores on 86 carries)…If Kellenberg had control the clock on offense, it will make the job so much easier for a “D” anchored by previously recognized Cannon (58 tackles, 3 INTs, 4 PDs), as well as Christopher Moore (40 stops, 1 sack, 3 fumble recoveries), Matthew Watterson (39 tackles, 3 sacks), Tim McGrath (37 stops, 5 sacks), Jack Ligarzewski (33 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 pass defenses), and [Aidan] Henry (20 stops, 2 interceptions).
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#4 St. Anthony’s (5-3) vs. #5 Cardinal Hayes (4-5)
When: Friday November 5th, 2021 @7pm
Where: Cy Donnelly Field on the campus of St. Anthony’s (275 Wolf Hill Rd, Melville, NY 11747)
Previous Meeting: 48-28 STA on September 24th (Week #3)
Synopsis: By far the most intriguing contest of the weekend (all divisions) despite the 20-point margin they last time they squared off, this clash of the defending (2019) champs against the Long Island dynasty (11 crowns since 2001; last in 2013) is interesting because history has taught us that the version of Cardinal Hayes you see in the regular season seldom resembles the behemoth that flips the switch for the “real season”. Countless times during the past 4-5 years, the C.J. O’Neil guided Cardinals have gone from
vulnerable to unbeatable once November rolled around. 4-4 in 2019 (won the title), 2-4 in 2018 (runners-up), 0-3 to start the year in 2016/4-4 heading into the postseason (won the title), etc. And most frightening if you are a Friar enthusiast is that more times than not, the Cardinals’ path to redemption featured a playoff win against the Black & Gold (knocked out by C.H. in ‘15, ‘16, ‘18, and ‘19)…Then again, even though “What is past is prologue”, you cannot ignore the fact this 2021 St. Anthony’s corps is every bit as good as the teams of yesteryear that raked in all the hardware. Aside from a few heartbreaking 4th quarter losses to Stepinac and Iona Prep, the Joe Minucci, coached program has been nothing short of outstanding, especially as it pertains to when they have the ball in the hands. Stepping onto their home turf averaging 35+ points per appearance this year, there is not one element of the STA offense that lack explosive, “take it to the promised land all day” potential…Junior commander, Dante Torres, lit up the Cardinals in September, tossing for 316 yards/3 TDs, while also rushing for another 80 yards and a bonus score. Sophomore sensation, KJ Duff Jr. Had a coronation, making six catches for 193 yards, including being on the back end of all three of the Torres’ strikes. Kenyon Miles (4 grabs for 56), Alex Celeiro (4 receptions for 42 yards) and Tim Longo (1 catch for 27 yards) join their 10th grade teammate in boasting a WR group that can rival any in the league or the entire state. On the ground, Joshua Escobar (107 yards +1 TD on 6 carries), Darius Morant (44 yards on 8 carries), and Frank Ruta (34 yards on 7 handoffs) form a three-headed monster that torched Hayes for 185 yards and can/will take over if the passing arsenal should falter…Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Andrew Bardak, is a 48-minute human highlight who goes sideline-to-sideline and seems to have his name called no less than 15-20 times…The Cardinals will counter with their own dynamic offense lead by Duke bound signal caller/2019 title-contest MVP, Henry Belin. Performing like a young man who clearly does not want this chapter of his career to end prematurely, the future Blue Devil has accounted for 11 touchdowns (7 in the air, 4 with his legs) the past two weeks in wins over KMHS and Stepinac. Versus the Friars, even in a losing effort, he still managed to put up four scores (3 TD runs, 1 TD pass). Donovan Beauvoir, who had an incredible 3-TD catch performance in the regular season finale, Jayden Porter (multiple catch game in week #8), Aramis Irizarry, and rookie impact player, Rich Belin, are among the weapons that will be targeted in the sky. Zachary Mitchell (TD runs in both weeks 7&8), who was a member of the 2019 champs as a sophomore, joins with Rex Roman, and Kenneth Antoine (TD run last week versus Stepinac) to give the Bronx based school firepower on land…Muhamed Borja and Tafari Johnson (2 INTs last week; also caught the game-winning TD) provide the punch on defense from their LB spots…Note: Full statistics were not available for either program; apologies if deserving student-athletes were not acknowledged!
#1 Iona Prep (8-1) 1st Round Bye