By Matt Diano: Unlike the Single-A semifinal games, in the AA division, there are no clear cut favorites as both of our lower seeded teams have more than a fighter’s chance at pulling the upset.
#4 Fordham Prep will look to take the next step in their attempt to pull off the rare feat of winning back-to-back titles in two different divisions, while #1 Christ the King will continue their pursuit of perfection.
#3 St. John the Baptist will look to get to the title game after experiencing heartbreak in 2014, while #2 Xavier will be as hungry as ever to send the Cougars home with a sour taste in their mouths.
#1 Christ the King vs. #4 Fordham Prep (Saturday, November 14thth @1 p.m.—Franklin K. Lane HS)
A barn-burner when these two programs went head-to-head all the way back in week #1, the Rams would be a position to win the game after taking their first lead of the contest, 20-19, with a little over eight minutes remaining….However, showing why they would go on to be the leading point scorers in the AA division, the visiting Royals would answer back, scoring a touchdown and 2-point conversation of their own at the 3:41 mark to claim the victory, 27-20…On both sidelines, it would be the stellar play from the quarterback position that would serve as the offensive catalysts as Fordham Prep sophomore, Matthew Valecce, would complete 23 of his 33 pass attempts for 241 yards and three touchdowns (all to senior Rory Allen (8 catches, 106 yards)…His counterpart, Royal senior field general, David Navas, would also be quite effective at moving the ball, connecting on 11-of-16, including the aforementioned game-winning 29-yard strike to Alex Mirada (7 receptions, 97 yards).
In the rematch this Saturday, FP (who had -27 yards rushing on September 11th) will need to get just as big a game out of their QB, while the top-seed from Middle Village will likely have the luxury of relying on more of a balanced offense. The Royals are blessed with such immense athleticism across the board that in last weekend’s 60-20 quarterfinal victory over St. Francis Prep, four different rushers would combine to score six touchdowns, while Navas would hit Tosin Oyekanmi on a pair of TD passes en route to the offense to racking up close to 500 total yards (312 on the ground, 151 in the air).
Another key to determining who will get the “w” this weekend will be the success rate of the Fordham Prep offensive line in protecting their hurler. In the initial meeting, CTK took residency in Valecce’s face, sacking him eight times, with four of those coming from junior DT, Jonathan Coste)…Should the Royals be able to generate this same type of uninterrupted pass rush, it hard to imagine Fordham Prep walking out with a win under their belt…On the flip side, if given ample time in the pocket, the super soph has already shown countless times this season that he has the tools to decimate opposing defenses.
#2 Xavier vs. #3 St. John the Baptist (Saturday, November 14thth @1:30 p.m.—Aviator Sports Complex)
A classic case of a shutdown defense opposing an explosive offense, second-seeded Xavier would surrender a division low 96 points (10.7/game) during the regular season, while their rivals, the Cougars of St. John the Baptist, would trail only Christ the King with regard to their ability to light up the scoreboard.
Armed with a rushing attack that has averaged over 400 yards and 33 points per game in 2015, the Ralph Carusillo coached squad will take to the field on Saturday looking for avenge the 19-7 loss they suffered in week #2…The Knights, under the guidance of Chris Stevens, will not be hurting for motivation either as the painful memories of last season’s 21-14 semifinal defeat to this same SJB program remain all too fresh in their minds.
Being that these two teams have entirely different game plans and philosophies, the difference maker will likely be which team is able to impose their will on the other…If the Baptist defense allows Xavier to run their ball control, clock eating style of play, led by senior, Mike Chiarovano (218 carries, 1,210 yards, and 22 touchdowns), life will become increasing difficult for them…On the contrary, if the Cougars can force several three-and-outs, then they will have the opportunity to turn the game into the up-tempo shootout that they seek…Both Jerome Brooks III (1,400 yards, 17 touchdowns) and Nicholas Cipolla (1,344 yards, 14 touchdowns) are threats to take It to the house every time the ball is in their hands. Hence, even if Stevens’s D-unit, which has not given up a positive rushing yard in the past six quarters, is able to keep this dynamic duo in check for 95 percent of the game, there Is always that possibility that those two or three breakaway runs will be all it will take for the visitors from West Islip to emerge with the win…Tasked with the challenge of making sure those dashes to daylight never materialize will be the likes of Frank Masella (LB; 88 tackles/7.5 TFL), reigning player of the week, Anthony Pugliese (DE; 55 tackles/13 TFL), Malik Fisher (DE; 37 tackles/15.5 TFL), and Clayton Kendrick-Holmes (DT; 45 tackles/9.5 TFL)… If these gentlemen can create third-and-long scenarios and force Baptist to throw the ball, than they have a good chance at creating turnovers, like they did in week #2 when they picked off two passes.
Simply put, a high scoring game equates into a SJB victory; a contest where points are at a premium translates into Xavier earning the finals berth.