By Matt Diano:
98th Edition of Fordham Prep vs. Xavier
Jack Annicelli (Sr.); QB – Fordham Prep Rams
Suiting up for the Rams for the final time in his varsity career, next to a title, there was no sweeter manner in which the 6’3, 190-pound, field general out of Bedford could have concluded this chapter of his scholastic story, as he alongside fellow 12th grader, Jack Wolf)were the driving forces behind FP’s 27-13 victory on home soil over the Knights of Xavier this past Thursday!
The triumph, their third in the last four years, improved FP’s record in this historic annual showdown to 53-41-4!
His school trailing 7-0 to their rivals at the end of the 1st quarter, the cerebral stud (4.3 grade point average) ignited a streak of 27 unanswered points when he posted his first rushing touchdown of the fall on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to even the score in the early stages of the 2nd quarter…Prior to the short carry for the “6”, Annicelli was a marksman in the air, connecting with three different targets (Jericho Ancheta, Edward Louis Moore, and Tommy Gies) as part of a 4-for-4 performance that spearheaded the march down field!
Going back to that proverbial well and finding additional success was the scholar in the #14 jersey, who after a LONG completion to Kevin Dosin and a medium hook-up (14-yarder) to Gies, cemented yet another series with an identical 1-yard keeper with 4:10 remaining in the opening half!
Now holding the 14-7 edge, the Rams never looked back as Wolf (who recorded the final two TDs of his tenure as a FP football player to give him 7 overall in 2021) found paydirt from distances of 4 (10 ticks to go in 2Q) and 2-yards (onset of the third quarter) away to account for the Fordham Prep accumulation!
Annicelli and Wolf shared Most Valuable Player honors!!! Both will put on the pads for one final occasion as NYCHSFL representatives when they participate this coming weekend in the 2021 Senior Bowl!!!
78th Edition of Cardinal Hayes vs. Mount St. Michael Academy
Rich Belin (Fr.); QB – Cardinal Hayes Cardinals
In what was a figurative passing of the torch and a literal inheritance of the “Cardinal robe”, it was the 5’10, 177-pound fab freshman [Rich Belin] assuming the reins of a Hayes’ offense that older brother/All-State selection/Duke University bound, Henry, conducted flawlessly for three seasons (including a AAA title in 2019)!
Big brother a three-time POTW recipient (twice in the aforementioned 2019 playoffs; MVP of 2019 championship), the 78th Turkey Bowl versus the Mountaineers marked the first time in his young career that Rich has been bestowed with this distinction!!!
Utilized as a wide-receiver during the majority of his rookie year (28 grabs for 523 yards, 1 TD), if there was any rust in his return to his natural position, it was not evident as the 9th grader left no doubt that the family legacy of aerial excellence was sure to be preserved in the coming three seasons!!
Formally ascending into the role of QB1 for the Cardinals midway through the 2nd quarter, Belin connected on 3 of his 5 pass attempts (1TD) for 85 yards in his quasi coronation!
Hayes’ already leading 35-0 at the time, Belin continued to pad the cushion when he called his own number on a 15-yard scramble in the last 2:00 of the 1st half to send CH into the break with the commanding advantage (42-0)!
In the last 4:00 of the 3rd quarter, Belin, emerged with the first of what will be many touchdown hurls from 2021-2024 when he found sophomore, Elijah Ford, on a 60-yard homerun ball to round out his balanced day and polish off the 49-14 victory over MSMA!
The month of November has been quite good to #17!!! On November 11th, he received his first official offer from Syracuse University…And today, in attention to his Player of the Week fame, he was extended his initial offer from the Ivy League as the University of Pennsylvania made it known that he is a top priority!!!
Cardinal Hayes has now come out on top of eight straight Thanksgiving melees; but the Mount clings to a 47-26-5 lead all-time!