Article by Matt Diano
1) Moore Catholic
Head Coach: Nick Giannatasio (Entering 6th Season in the HC role)
Last Season: Record: 6-4; Lost 43-7 in NYCHSFL “AA-1” Finals to Chaminade
Top Returning Players:
*John Michalski (Sr.; Quarterback)—2021 All-Catholic Selection; 2021 2nd Team All-State; Prolific dual-threat field general that produced over 2,400 yards of total offense, completing 116-of-210 attempts in the air for 1,826 yards (16 TD throws), while adding an additional 577 yards + 6 TDs on the ground (70 carries)
*Henry Tabansi (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—2021 All-Catholic Selection (OL); 2021 2nd Team All-State; anchor on both sides of the line of scrimmage; The Mav offense generated close to 3,300 yards and scored 28 touchdowns with him battling in the trenches….Defensively, he recorded 21 stops!….Committed to the University of Buffalo
*Moshood Giwa (Sr.; OT)—A mountain of a man at 6’6, 280-pounds, will join Tabansi in comprising a vaunted Offensive Tackle tandem…One of six players on the MC roster to hold NCAA DI offers!
* RJ Pacheco (Soph.; RB)—Fresh off of an impressive rookie campaign that witnessed him finish 2nd on the team in rushing yards
*Mattias Lighten (Jr.; WR/DB)—2021 All-Catholic Selection (WR), Lighten is one of the best pure athletes in the entire Metro Catholic League and easily makes his presence felt on both sides of the ball….Per 247 Sports, the likes of Temple and other DI institutions are on his trail following a sophomore year in which he made 37 grabs for a team-best 655 yards w/4 TD receptions…From the secondary, he was credited with 42 tackles (4.2 per game), registered 1 INT, and successfully broke up 5 passes in his direction!
*Dowan Coachman (Sr; RB/LB)—Highlighted more for what will be expected of him on the defensive side of the ball, we see the 12th grader as a definite significant contributor in all facets of the game…,As a starting LB in 2021, he finished 2nd on the squad with 65 stops and created two turnovers (1 INT, 1 forced fumble)….When the Mavericks had the ball, he was a reliable short-yardage back, gaining 312 yards and scoring on three occasions on 66 carries!
*Michael Zeh (Sr.; WR/DB)—Tied with Lighten for 2nd on the team with four touchdown receptions last year, Zeh is part of an extremely deep WR corps that is sure to exploit opposing secondaries all season long….He totaled 15 catches for 363 yards as a junior….Zeh was very active along the last line of defense, racking up 59 stops and picking off one pass in 2021!
*Giovanni Maniscalco (Sr.; DE)—The sack master of the Mavericks as a junior, Maniscalso bagged six quarterbacks in 2021, as well as racked up 53 total stops!
*Anthony Martelli (Sr.; TE/LB)—Credited with 31 tackles, 1 INT, and three pass break-ups as a junior, Martelli is an all-purpose LB that handles any/all responsibilities…After making 1 catch for 8 yards last year, don’t be surprised if he does not come alive more on offense; he is slated to be the starter at TE for a team that loves to hurl the pigskin!
*Arshad Meredith-Smith (Sr; DT)—A man who brings the heat up the middle ala Aaron Donald, Meredith-Smith was 2nd on the team with 2.5 sacks last season as part of an overall campaign that witnessed him amass 29 total stops!
*Jaylen Johnson (Sr.; WR/SS)—A bit overshadowed last year due to the extraordinary play of his fellow wide-outs, look for Johnson to not only improve upon, but completely obliterate his 2021 totals of 5 grabs for 21 yards….Already a household name on “D”, he topped all Mavericks in ‘21 with three interceptions, complemented by a 22-tackle, 1-sack showing!
Impact Newcomers
*Michael Herbert (Soph.; LB)—Expected to jump straight into the starting-11 at linebacker after turning in a dominant season on the junior varsity as a freshman in 2021!
*Donovan Stewart (Jr.; CB)—A transfer from Don Bosco, Stewart was listed on the 2021 varsity roster last year, but saw very little action (credited with 9 tackles…As he is inserted into the starting CB position, 2022 will be the season that he truly puts the league on notice!
2022 Overview
A program that despite being relatively young in 2021 still managed to secure a berth to Championship weekend (losing in the AA-1 finals to Chaminade), the Staten Island based program enters 2022 firing on all cylinders, all guns blazing, and/or any other clichéd expression intended to convey that they ARE LOADED!!
Returning the majority (19 of 22) of their starters on both sides of the ball, including several gallant young gentlemen that will be performing double duty, there is every reason to believe that come November, they will be in the driver’s seat on this mission to win a third NYCHSFL crown since 2016 (2016: A; 2019: AA-2)!
Senior field general, John Michalski, will run the show for a third straight season and God knows that he will not have any shortage of weapons from which to choose in the aerial game….The 2021 2nd Team All-Stater connected on 55% of his passes last year and should be even more locked in during his swan song….A human highlight film that gave a verbal commitment to Sacred Heart University in late July, the dual-threat maestro is a definitive preseason favorite to claim Offensive Player of the Year honors!
Mattias Lighten, Michael Zeh, and Jaylen Johnson could all be #1 targets for the majority of teams in the NYCHSFL, on Staten Island, and in NYS as a whole…Combined, the trio collected 57 receptions for 1,065 yards, w/8 TD grabs…And just imagine, they’d be even more unstoppable if not for the fact that All-State selection, Nick Jordan (team-leader with 47 snatches + 6 TDs) is no longer at the school!
Richard “RJ” Pacheco will be the primary option out of the backfield and is said to be commanding DI offers after putting forth a debut campaign where he rushed for 358 yards (including a 21-carry, 140-yard display versus St. Francis Prep)…
Buffalo bound All-Stater, Henry Tabansi, along with Moshood Giwa, and Aqul Meredith-Smith all tip the scales at 260+ and are currently receiving promising scholarship offers bolster what ought to be a menacing offensive line….These road graders will be the catalysts to everything the Mavs achieve on offense In 2022!…
In addition to the aforementioned—Tabansi, Lighten, and Johnson, the names you need to know on “D” will be front-7 personnel, Giovanni Maniscalco (team-high six sacks in 2021), Arshad Meredith-Smith (2.5 sacks), Dowan Coachman (65 stops), and Anthony Martelli (31 tackles)…Donovan Stewart & Jonathan Fields will thrive in the “no fly zone” in their first season as full-time starters!!
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2) Fordham Prep
Head Coach: Patrick Deane (Entering 5th Season in the HC role)
Last Season: Record: 5-5; Lost 31-0 in the NYCHSFL “AA-1” Semifinals to eventual titlists, Chaminade
Top Returning Players:
*Charlie English (Sr.; RB/FS)—Stepping in to fill the cleats of departed All-Catholic selection, Jack Wolf, the 5’11, 175-pouner that calls Port Chester home [English] did not see much action in the backfield as a junior; but when he did carry the ‘skin, the results were promising…He averaged 6.2 yards on 9 attempts to give him a cumulative gain of 56 yards…Contrary to his offensive contribution, English was everywhere on “D”, registering a 54-tackle season that also saw him force three fumbles.
*Jericho Ancheta (Sr.; WR)—The top receiver in terms of catches hauled in (24), Ancheta ranked in yardage (358) and did record one TD reception…
*Edward Lewis Moore (Sr.; WR)—Regarded as the overall most productive wide-out on the Rams last season, the New Rochelle resident came on catch short of typing Ancheta for top team honors; had he notched that one extra reception, it would have given him a quasi sweep of all major categories as his 375 receiving yards ranked 1st, and he was one of three FP student-athletes to each catch 2 TD passes!!
*Tommy Gies (Sr.; WR)—Completing the senior trifecta at WR will be the 5’11, 175-pounder out of Rye! As a junior, Gies recorded 17 grabs for 288 yards and was part of the three-way tie for TD receptions (2)…Also a standout face-off man in lacrosse, which demonstrated the amount of fight in his soul!
*Jaziah Moore (Sr.; LB)—Primed to build off of the remarkable junior campaign he posted In 2021, the Bronx resident finished 2nd on the team in both cumulative stops (56) and sacks (7)…To boot, he also notched a fumble recovery to pad his stat line
*James Rice (Soph.; LB)—A diaper dandy a season ago, the 6’1, 230-pounder out of the Big Apple was one of the most decorated freshmen in NYS in 2021, tying for 2nd on the Rams with 56 tackles…Rice is also a stellar performer on the baseball diamond; so when it comes time to choose a collegiate path, it will not be easy since he will be coveted in both endeavors!
*Khaleel Adegoke (Sr.; DL)—Joining Moore and Rice as part of the incumbent hit squad, the 6’1, 225-pound Bronx native was the third member of that 56-tackle club in 2021…A fierce pass-rusher, Adegoke tacked on 3 sacks to round out his junior resume!
*Vaughan Johnson (Sr.; DL)—The only junior from the Rams to be named All-Catholic last year, the bigger honor of 2021 came was Johnson was later named to the All-State (4th) squad following a season in which he emerged with a program-best 9 sacks to complement his 52 total tackles…The literal centerpiece of the FP defensive line (DT), Johnson holds several FCS offers (Butler, Dayton, Drake, etc.)…If he wishes it to pursue power-5 football, a preferred walk-on spot has been extended by Purdue!
*Liam Conlon (Sr.; DL)—Slightly undersized for the DE position, the 6’3, 180-pound senior relies on speed/quickness to beat his man around the edge…As an 11th grader, he registered 33 total stops and 4 sacks!
*Griffin Monroe (Sr.; CB)—Posting a team-best of 2 interceptions as a junior, Monroe is the guy you count on to neutralize the top receiver on the enemy…He collected 20 tackles last year!
*John Powers (Sr.; S)—Bringing significant experience to the secondary, the Manhattan resident recorded 18 tackles and 1 INT as a junior…
*Michael Semprevivo (Sr.; DL)—Last, but never least, the 6’3, 207-pound 12th grader was listed by Coach Deane as one of the key assets on the team…He will join Colon on the ends and is expected to make up for lost time after being limited in his action a year ago!
Impact Newcomers
*Albee Cornachio (Jr.; OL)—The only junior to earn a starting spot in the trenches, the 6’4, 240-pound Pelham product will line up at OG!
*Sean Rooney (Soph.; LB)—Will be making his varsity debut as a day #1 starter as part of the linebacking corps…
2022 Overview
A team that is sure to be battle tested when the postseason rolls around in November, despite being classified as a “AA” school, the Rams will actually be testing themselves against not one, not two, but three triple-A opponents this season…
Thankfully for them, they are a primarily senior-laden squad on both sides of the ball; hence, they have been in big games before and are not going to give an inch without a clash!
One peek at the offensive depth chart and the first factoid that catches your eye is the amount of proven dept that the Bronx based school will return at the wide-out position…Returning their top-3 pass-catchers from a season ago, Jericho Ancheta, Edward Lewis Moore, and Tommy Gies united to catch 64 balls for 1,014 yards, and 5 touchdowns…Keegan Doody, who is listed as a TE, but is more like a fourth WR, did not record many catches (3) as a junior; but all when he did get targeted it yielded big things as he finished with 122 yards and 1TD!
The man responsible for distributing the ‘skin to the embarrassment of riches recognized above will be junior signal caller, Matthew Moorehead!
Charles English, a superb defender, will be focused on making his final year as a Ram a banner one on both sides of the ball, as he slides in to replace 2021 All-Catholic, Jack Wolf, as FP’s workhorse in the backfield…Selected as a team captain, he was solid in small doses last year; so the hope is that over a larger sample size, his explosion will remain consistent!
Boasting four seniors—Bruce Williams (OT), Michael Spolar (OT), Will Muccia (OG), and Joe Reegan, the continuity of the offensive line is a definitive strength for the Rams…Junior OG, Albee Cornachio, is the only newbie, but has been impressive in securing a starting job…
Shepherded by as stable/concentrate a front-4 as you will find anywhere in the NYCHSFL and beyond, returning All-Stater, Vaughan Johnson (DT), may be hogging the headlines, but fellow punishers—Michael Semprevivo, Khaleel Adegoke (DT), & Liam Conlon (DE) are not to be toyed with…This quartet accounted for 142 tackles and 16 sacks….And that was with Semprevivo inactive for much of his junior year!
Playing alongside each other for a second straight year, Jaziah Moore, and James Rice, represent both the present and future stars of the LB corps…Posting 112 tackles and 7 sacks between them, this is one killer combo…Only a sophomore, all signs point at Rice developing into an all-time great In Maroon & White….Sean Rooney, who himself is just in 10th grade, will accompany them as he learns the rope and hones his craft!
In addition to English (FS), the last line of “D” will consist of the all-senior battery of Hayden Padilla and Griffin Monroe at the two cornerback spots, as well as Jack Powers at strong safety!!…A group that has shown themselves to be adept at creating turnovers, Monroe and Powers combined for 3 interceptions, while English knocked/stripped 3 balls…
The stretch of contests from September 16th-October 14th will be a character builder for the Rams as they go toe-to-toe in this order with the following AAA quarterfinals, Kellenberg; AA-1 runners-up, Moore Catholic; AA-1 titlist/AAA in 2022, Chaminade; and AAA semifinalists, St. Anthony’s!!!….If FP was not hardened before, they certainly will be tough as nail by the time they conclude this gauntlet!
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3) St. Joseph’s by the Sea
Head Coach: Tressor Baptiste (Entering 1th Season in the HC role)
Last Season: Record: 4-5; Lost 28-27 (OT) in NYCHSFL “AA-1” Quarterfinals to St. Francis Prep
Top Returning Players:
*Matt Wissman (Sr.; Quarterback)—2021 All-Catholic selection, at 6’3, 180, the Staten Islander is the mirror image of the prototypical field general….A dual-threat option that demonstrated an ability to move the chains with all of his limbs, he enters his last year as a Viking with a mission!
*Andrew DeAngelis (Sr.; RB/WR/DB)—While the coaching staff were not sure which starting spot he’d occupy in his senior year, they raved about the overall skill of the multi-sport athlete…A starting wide-out as a junior who was among Wissman’s favorite targets; whether it be out of the backfield or as a traditional pass-catcher, it goes without saying that the pitch-and-catch game between the two 12th graders will be alive and well again 2022!…An outfielder on the baseball diamond, he Is a guarantee to see plenty of time in the Viking secondary!
*George Kokakis (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Heralded for his defensive prowess a year ago, the 5’9, 238-pounder was named to the All-Catholic team as a DT. He will attempt to make it two straight years that he is force in the middle of the DL…Not one who comes off the field often, he is likely to start at OG for yet another year!
*Logan Racioppo (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Possessing the strength to both deadlift 475 and win MVP honors for the Winter Track & Field team as a thrower (Shot put, discus), the 6’1, 225-pounder is another pure powerhouse on sides of the line of scrimmage. He is likely to start at OT when his team has the ball; his role on “D” has not been defined officially as he could switch between either DE or DT depending on the set being utilized!
*Alex Ulses (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Intimidating on appearance alone, at 6’2, 310-pounds, the honor roll student-athlete (4.0 GPA; 1380 SATs) can open a hole with the same ease in which he aces a math examination….Perfectly suited to bulldoze anyone/everyone, he should cause chaos in the interior (OG/DT)!…He is walking the path of older brother, Anthony, who was a standout last year on the OL for SJS, earning Golden-11 recognition, and currently playing collegiately at LIU!
*Jack Moran (Sr.; LB)—One of two All-Catholic linebackers that will serve as the foundation of the SJS defense, the 6’0, 200-pound 12th grader is capable of doing a little bit of everything—He hits hard and has demonstrated above average cover abilities!
*Tyler Murphy (Sr.; RB/LB)—The other half of the acclaimed LB tag team, Murphy starred on both sides of the ball, earning All-Catholic distinction on “D”, while simultaneously handling ball-carrying duties out of the offensive backfield!
Impact Newcomers
“NONE CITED”
2022 Overview
Using 2 Timothy 4:7 as their motivational passage (“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith), a lot remains unknown about what the starting line-up may resemble for the Vikings, but first-head Head Coach, Tressor Baptiste, is a man that has made a career out of beating back naysayers and defying odds…
Spending some time on NFL rosters (Bears, Saints, Seahawks) following collegiate stops at Lackawanna Junior College, Hofstra University, and Texas A&M-Kingsville, while Baptiste (hired in January) is getting a better feel for the full arsenal he inherited, he will enjoy the luxury of being able to lean on FOUR returning All-Catholic performers from a season ago as a means of flattening the learning curve!
Returning as the conductor of the offense will be senior quarterback, Matt Wissman, who will try to build off of the chemistry established with fellow senior, Andrew DeAngelis, to vault the aerial strikes to the next level…Per SiLive, Gino Fulco (Senior) and Marioluca Fabi (Junior) turned in solid showings during camp and could be the guys to fill out the remaining spots out wide!
The offensive line is a noted strength on Hylan Boulevard as 3/5s of the 2021 starters are welcomed back to the trenches….All-Catholic defender, George Kokakis and 310-pound behemoth, Alex Ulses, will comprise one of the top guard tandems in the Empire State…Logan Racioppo, will trade throwing shot puts for throwing bodies all around as he is the top choice to be the primary protector/LT…
Dynamic Linebacking duo—Jack Moran & Tyler Murphy, are both resolute in their desire to repeat as All-Catholic selections in their respective senior years…Their presence at LB, when combined with the stout tenacity of Kokakis, Racioppo, and Ulses gives Joe’s by the Sea one of the finest front-7s in the entire NYCHSFL regardless of division!
Michael DiNicola (CB) and Angelo Pecora (Safety) are the ringleaders in the secondary for yet another year!!
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4) Holy Trinity
Head Coach: Kahmal Roy (Entering 4th Season in the HC role)
Last Season: Record: 10-0; Won the 2021 “AA-2” Title Behind a 21-10 victory over St. John the Baptist
Top Returning Players:
*Rocco Rainone (Jr.; QB)—One of three quarterbacks who entered camp vying to earn the starting job, the word on the street is that the 6’0, 190-pound junior may have the early lead in the race to lead the Titans on their bid for a repeat of NYCHSFL hardware….As a sophomore in 2021, he displayed spot-on precision, connecting at a 67.6 completion rate (46-for-68) en route to tossing for 669 yards and 9 touchdowns….
*Jameer Reeder (Jr.; RB/LB)—Named to both the All-Catholic squad and as a 3rd Team All-State performer on the defensive side of the ball, the 5’10, 180-pounder is going to be every bit as important as offense this season as he takes over primary ball-carries responsibilities….Playing “second-riddle” to All-Catholic honoree, Kam Robbins, in the offensive backfield last season, Reeder averaged just under 10 yard per carry, finishing with 277 yards and 4 TDs on 28 attempts…The reigning NYCHSFL Defensive Player of the Year, the Freeport resident was the foundation of the #1 overall defense on the Catholic football map, recording a team-high 44 stops (6 TFLs), 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles on behalf of a unit that surrendered just 43 points all year (six shutouts)…As gifted in the classroom as he is on the field, his 3.9 grade point average has him on the radar of Ivy League institutions, as well as every other top flight FCS program!
*Dylan Braithwaite (Sr.; WR/DB)—One of two returning All-Catholic receivers for the Titans, the two-way standout has already secured his future at the next level by verballing committing to the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University…A burner who showcased 6.4 speed in the 55-meters at the Catholic Indoor Championships last February, the 5’10, 175-pounder topped all receiving categories last season for Holy Trinity, concluding his junior campaign with totals of 30 grabs for 701 yards and 9 touchdowns…His ball-hawking prowess was visible on defense to boot, as was a chart-topper again with 3 interceptions)!!
*Josiah Brown (Jr.; WR/DB)—The back half of the All-Catholic WR tandem, believe it or not, Brown is even faster, as he illustrated when he ran four sub 11-second times at the Catholic and NYS Federation Championship meets…Regarded as the #1 overall 2024 prospect in the Empire State (#146 in the nation), per 247 Sports, Brown holds scholarship offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, and so forth…The way his stock perpetually rises, there may not be a power-5 school that does not eventually extend an invitation….As a sophomore, the 6’0, 170-pounder collected 20 receptions for 331 yards and 7 scores….The center fielder of the secondary, he amassed 16 tackles and picked off one pass as a 10th grader!
*Jayden Simpson (Soph.; WR)—The king in waiting to the Titan WR dynasty, as a 9th grader in 2021, Simpson hauled in 14 receptions for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns…Not presently listed as a starter in the secondary, the 10th grader did see some action on that side of the ball in his rookie year, intercepting one pass and making 2 stop per MaxPreps…He has been honing his craft by attending camps at Notre Dame, Rutgers, etc.!
*Andre ‘Dre’ Kirton (Sr.; WR/DB)—Like the Lambchop song, the list of deadly wide-outs that HT has in the cupboard just never ends…As a junior, 3 of his 13 total receptions yielded touchdowns as he wrapped up the year with 231 yards of output…Kirton will have even more on his plate in his scholastic finale, as he has been pegged to start at one of the two CB positions….As an added bonus, he is a bona fide stud in the KO/Punt return portion of the game!!
*Irvin Briggs IV (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—2021 NYCHSFL Lineman of the Year…2021 All-Catholic Selection…2021 4th Team All-State Defense…One of two ironmen that dominates both sides of the line of scrimmage for HT, the 6’4, 260-pound UConn commit was the nucleus for an OL that enabled the Titan offense to march up and down the gridiron to the tune of 3,078 yards and 50 touchdowns…On Defense, he racked up 33 tackles, including 4 for a loss!
*Zayden Michel (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—A player who the Titan staff felt was on the verge of a career-year in 2021, the 6’2, 245-pounder out of Southampton had his junior campaign cut short after only three games…He will account for the time lost by starring on both sides of the line at OT and DT…Before being sidelines, 2 of his 7 stops yielded minus yardage; so even in a small dose, it is evident the impact he imparts!
*Christopher Bacon (Sr.; DE)—An eraser on defense for the Titans, during his junior campaign, the 6’3, 226-pounder led the Green & White in both TFLs (13) and sacks (4), while finishing 2nd in total stops (44)…And if that was not a sufficient enough contribution, let it be known that he was a battering ram in short distance situations on offense, scoring three touchdowns on six carries (11 total yards).
*Melan Williams (Sr.; LB)—Back for another season of asserting his will, Williams was 3rd on the team last year with 37 stops. He also added an interception along the way to round out his junior year!
*Chad Case (Sr.; LB)—Further bolstering the deepest LB corps in the NYCHSFL is the 5’7, 180-pound senior out of Baldwin…Collecting 35 tackles in 2021, he ranked 4th on the team. He also tacked on a single sack and recovered a fumble…Similar to Bacon, Case was not asked to play a significant role on offense last year; but when the call did come, he delivered, averaged over 22 yards per carry on his three hand-offs (67 yards).
*Nick Parisi (Jr.; LB)—Attracting some FCS attention on the recruiting front, the 6’1, 225-pound 11th grader is the next in the line of returning defensive personnel for the 2021 champs….Despite being part of a loaded ensemble that featured the DPOY, Parisi was not lost in the crowd at any time during his sophomore year, as he posted a solid effort of 26 stops (2 TFLs)!
*Ranall White Jr (Jr.; CB)—Turned in an 18-tackle, 1 fumble recover campaign while starting in the secondary for HT as a sophomore…He’s only gotten stronger and better in the last calendar year!
Impact Newcomers
*Devon Gonzalez (Soph.; RB/LB)—-A HUGE addition to the Titan line-up, the 5’11, 230-pound 10th grader ran for 636 yards and five TDs on 63 carries as a freshman for Glen Gove…
*Trevor Benjamin (Fr.; OL)—Already tipping the scales at 240 pounds as a freshman, you know the staff sees future gem in Benjamin if he Is already been granted a starting job (OG) just days into the commencement of his high school career!
2022 Overview
Laying all the cards on the table, when we asked Coach Kahmal Roy to provide a list of signature players that he expected to shine this season, he demonstrated the modesty of a gentlemen and only singled out 6-7 individuals…
In truth, he could have logically just submitted his 2022 roster and no one could have called him out on being inaccurate…That is just how deep the Titan program currently is at this juncture!!
Bringing back starters at 18 of 22 spots off of a juggernaut that both lead AA-2 in scoring (37.8 points per game) and total defense (allowed a mere 4.3 point per contest), there is not ONE area on the field this season where Holy Trinity is not remarkably loaded!!!
Take for example the quarterback position…For most schools, it is not always taken for granted that they have one individual they trust to be the maestro….HT on the other hand has THREE young men who could start on the majority of team on LI without any hesitation….And while junior, Rocco Rainone, broke camp as QB#1, rest assured that if circumstance ever dictated it, senior a (795 yards throwing; 11 TD passes; 4 TD runs) is more than capable of assuming the reins without the smallest disruption In continuity….For that matter, Josiah Patrick (11-for-14, 4 TD hurls as a freshman) ain’t too bad either!!!
And if you think the signal caller meetings are ripe with thoroughbreds, then be prepared to have your mind blown at the notion that the men to which they are throwing (WRs) are even more profoundly ungodly from top to bottom…Featuring a pair of definitive NCAA FBS Power-5 prospects— Dylan Braithwaite & Josiah Brown—and then extending to the likes of Dre Kirton and Jayden Simpson, Holy Trinity returns 77 receptions, 1,426 yards, and 21 touchdowns grabs among the quartet!!!
Opponents will not catch any breaks on the offensive line either, as 4/5s of the 2021 starting line-up return, anchored by Catholic Lineman of the Year, Irvin Briggs IV at Left Tackle….Zayden Michel will occupy RT, Justin Costa is in the pivot, and Dec McCloud is back for another season as an OG…Rounding out “Mount Trinity” will diaper dandy, Trevor Benjamin (OG), who many are saying is the next in a distinguished line of decorated Titan linemen…
Even the graduation of an All-Catholic tailback (Kam Robbins) is not going to slow down the party, as All-State LB, Jameer Reeder, who put up solid numbers as a #2 option, is ready to become the main attraction….Sophomore, Devon Gonzalez, is also rumored to have traded one shade of green for another as he is said to have come over from Glen Cove after putting in an amazing freshman year in 2021!
Possessing the wisdom to realize that you don’t put shackles on unbridled beasts, six of the phenoms cited above—-Braithwaite (SS), Brown (FS), Briggs (DE), Michel (DT), Reeder (LB), and Kirton (CB) will all punch the clock twice as ironmen….
Complementing and/or corresponding with this “house of pain” will be senior DE, Christopher Bacon, junior CB, Ranall White Jr, and the remainder of ‘Linebackers INC”—Chad Case (12th grade), Melan Williams (12th grade), and Nick Parisi (Junior)…
Holy Trinity has been promoted/elevated to the AA-1 division this year and instantly becomes title favorites due to breadth of their stable!!!
If you live on LI and have three consecutive weekends to fill, you want to consider checking out the October 9th-22nd block that will witness them challenge AAA division members—Kellenberg & Chaminade (2021 AA-1 champs), sandwiched by a showdown with AA-1 runners-up, Moore Catholic on the 16th!
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5) St. Peter’s Boys
Head Coach: Mark DeCristoforo (Entering 9th Season in the HC role)
Last Season: Record: 2-8; Lost 13-12 in NYCHSFL “AA-1” Quarterfinals to Fordham Prep
Top Returning Players:
*Elijah Campbell (Sr.; WR/CB)—The 6’0, 175-pounder out of State Island will be essential on both sides of the ball as he is expected to be the man relied on to both haul in an abundance of receptions on one front; while flipping a switch and preventing the same thing from happening on the other….A three-sport (basketball, track & Field) who enjoys legitimate 4.5 speed in the 40, Campbell’s God-given speed is bound to terrorize opponents no matter what capacity in which he is showcasing it! He has been actively intended/invited to participate at several NCAA FBS and/or FCS camps and is a sure thing to continue his athletic greatness at the collegiate level!
*Tyler Turnbull (Sr.; DE)—The bedrock of a defensive line that DeCristoforo called the “deepest and most talented since he returned to the sidelines a few years ago” (SiLive.com), the 6’1, 200-pounder will be in his third-year starting for the Eagles’ “D” and is should be relied on to consistently soar off the edge snap after snap…
*Jordan Williams (Sr.; RB)—Handling workhorse responsibilities out of the backfield for the STP will be this very talented senior! With the Eagles welcoming in a first-year starter at the QB position [Marco Aruta], WIlliams’s ability to move the chains and extend possessions will be the safety blanket necessary to allow his sophomore signal caller to get his bearings and not feel the pressure of having to do it all himself right out of the gate!
*Anthony Ciaramella (Sr.; LB)—The “quarterback of the defense”, Ciaramella is back for one final season serving as the MIKE for a program that will be hell bent on improving upon the 29.8 points per game they allowed last season!
*Sean Bowden (Sr. OL)—An “OG” by name and attitude, the 12th grade offensive lineman is going to set the mood for his peers this season in the trenches…A multi-year starter among the big boys, nothing is going to intimidate Bowden in his swan song campaign!
*Brody Turnbull (Soph.; LB)—The phenom of the “D”, the second member of this star-studded clan is so extraordinary that his simply had to receive the call to play with the big club as a freshman in 2021….Now one year, the training wheels are off and there will be nothing preventing him from lighting up the stat sheet!
Impact Newcomers
*Marco Aruta (Soph.; QB)–Making his varsity debut in 2022 after serving as the field general for the J.V. as a freshman, DeCristoforo referred to him as a “superstar in the making” when speaking with SiLive….A dual-threat weapon who might be the best running back on the team if not for the fact that he also is quite good at slinging the rock, the next three months will be a coronation for Aruta, as he sharpens his tools and develops into a household name!
*Matthew Sweeney (Jr.; S/WR)—Pinpointed as a day #1 starter at free safety, even if the depth chart does not yet list him, we believe that the rapport he built with Aruta last season playing “pitch-and-catch for the JV” is going to repeat itself on the varsity level…Sweeney will be heard from on both sides of the ball in 2022!
*Joe Laureano (Jr.; TE/DE)—The 6’3, 225-pounder will have a lot on his plate this season as he will be asked to be a play-maker on both sides of the ball…The second part of what the St. Peter’s staff hopes/anticipates will be a terrible twosome off of the edges, Laureano is the perfect complement to Turnbull….Look for him to also provide come up clutch and aid the attack by being both a solid pass-catcher and a ruthless blocker from the tight end position! He saw significant time as a sophomore a year ago; so it not be said that the coaches are incredibly high on his ceiling as a future linchpin for the program!
*Joe Jakubauskas (Jr.; LB)—If you know Eagle football, then you know that the Jakubauskas name is already among the most respected thanks to current Wagner DL, Luke…That legacy will further be polished as the 5’11, 185-pound 11th grader [Joe] gets ready to act as an All-purpose/rover type linebacker….Perhaps a more natural free safety given his wealth of athleticism, his toughness will enable him to handle the slight change in roles!
*Chris Bellinger (Jr.; RB)—A supplementary asset in the offensive backfield, Bellinger was a dynamo when he found open field last year as both a RB and a kick returner…If you afford him any sunshine, he’s a threat to go all the way every time the ball is in his hands!
*Gabe Hoffler (Jr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Identical to Laureano, Hoffler is pegged to jump right in with both feet and be an immediate force on both sides of the ball….A 260-pounder bulldozer that can/will open a plethora of holes this season, while simultaneously keeping his QB upright, Hoffler has been named as one of the two starting OTs….Defensively, he will move inside and eat up space as a DT/NG!
2022 Overview
The question of the hour (or season for all our purposes) posted to the Eagle brass will be, is the future currently the present?
An exceptionally youthful cohort that will feature sophomore and juniors at several key positions on both sides of the ball, there is no doubt that this group is going to be very special sooner than later…However, as Coach Mark DeCristoforo, uttered, we are out to prove that we are not a year away from contention!
Leading the “youth movement” charge in the most scrutinized (and heralded) of roles will be a 10th grade live wire in the person of Marco Aruta…Capable of executing any toss in the playbook, a good fall back for the sensational sophomore will be his ability to scramble at the drop of a dime and pick up huge chunks of yardage. Not in doubt is whether he is a future All-Catholic honoree; as he gets comfortable leading the flock, the highlight reel will be a weekly occurrence…
Assisting/being a source of comfortable for the “whippersnapper” will be the presence of seniors at the skill positions—Jordan Williams (RB), as well as an All-12th grade WR corps comprised of Elijah Campbell, Kevin Reilly, & Jake Goodyear…Campbell, who will also headline the defensive backfield as a shutdown CB, has blazing speed and is a threat for “6” any time he goes in motion!…Junior, Chris Bellinger, is another home-run hitting component who is likely to split time with Williams at tailback…Sophomore, Jeremiah Williams (will start at the other CB) had more than a few impressive displays on offense last year for the junior varsity; so don’t rule him out as someone who could be prioritized as a two-way contributor!
While we’re not sure if they will be used on the same side of the line, but if senior guard, Sean Bowden, and Junior OT, Gabe Hoffler, are packed together, then that is going to be some top-quality beef throwing people around…Both north of 250+ (with the latter approaching three bills), they will be joined by sophomore guard, Logan Kielty, and senior center, Dan Licata!
Showering his “D” for the improved depth and physicality that they have demonstrated in camp, DeCristoforo, indicated that he is fully expecting to get monumental efforts out of a DL that boasts capable pass rushers—Tyler Turnbull and Joe Laureano (also starting at TE), as well as Hoffler clogging the middle!
The freshman sensation from a year ago turned stud soph in 2022, Brody Turnbull, alongside fellow returners—Frankie Langello (started 2021 on JV; earned a quick promotion) and Anthony Ciaramella in bringing experience at linebacker…Joe Jakubauskas & Liam McBratney are among the fresh faces that will also be impactful at LB!
Team captain, Campbell, will attempt to rub off on talented newcomers—[Jeremiah] Williams and Matthew Sweeney in forming a no fly zone…12th grade strong safety, Anthony DeSanti, completes the foursome!
Win or lose, an early season battle for local bragging rights with returning AA-1 runners-up, Moore Catholic (September 3rd) should be very telling about whether or not the Eagles are primed to defy the opinions of the pundits and contend right away!
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6) St. Francis Prep
Head Coach: Kevin Carroll (Entering 7th Season in the HC role)
Last Season: Record: 2-7; Lost 18-7 in NYCHSFL “AA-1” Semifinals to eventual runners-up, Moore Catholic
Top Returning Players:
*Isaiah Decruz (Sr.; QB/CB)—One of the few signal callers in the NYCHSFL that Is gutsy/tough enough to also play on the defensive side of the ball, Decruz is a leader by every possible definition of the term…A young gentleman that showed that he can make things happen, as the Terriers’ field general last season, he had a hand in 2/3s of their 15 total TDs, as he tossed for 5 scores (55-for-126, 755 yards) and found the end zone with his legs on an additional 5 occasions (54 carries for183 yards)….He is slated to being one of the team’s two starting cornerbacks following an 11th grade campaign where he registered 3 stops in a reserve role!
*Dionis Best (Sr.; RB)—A speeder who clocked impressive times of 6.9 in the 55-meter dash and 11.47 in the 100-meter during the 2022 Indoor and Outdoor Track seasons, the 5’11, 180-pounder only carried the ball once last season for no gain…But he did display quite the play-making ability as a pass-catcher, hauling in 10 balls for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns…All three numbers ranked either 1st or 2nd on the team in those categories….
*Sharrieff Memminger (Sr.; WR/LB)—An incumbent starter out wide, Memminger made a pair of catches for short distance, but is considerably more dangerous than his stat line might suggest…As he steps into the spotlight and emerges as a primary target, his output is sure to go through the roof proverbially…He has already made a name for himself on the other side of the ball, posting a team-high of 2 PDs last season, while all racking up 21 sops…He’ll start LB as a senior!
*Simon Sanchez (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—One of three returning starting on the OL, Sanchez was part of a legion enabled the Terriers’ to generate 1,563 yards and cross paydirt on 15 separate instances…He will be an instrumental aspect of the running game as he is slated to occupy the guard position…Defensively, anticipate a big boost in his contribution a year removed from a 10-tackle, 1-sack effort; he has been announced as the starting DT!
*Brian Daly (Sr.; DE)—The alpha male of the St. Francis defense, the 6’2, 235-pounder is without question in the company of the top overall defenders in the entire NYCHSFL AA-1 division….An individual who took up residency in the opposing backfield in 2021, he posted team-high totals in TFLs (14) and sacks (5) as a junior…All in all, was third on the squad with 54 stops!
*Christopher Chavez (Sr.; DT/TE)—Currently identified as a starter on only one side of the ball (Defensive Tackle), it cannot be overlooked that Chavez has shown off some offensive chops in the past, as his 3 grabs for 17 yards in 2021 ranks him among the top targets in the passing game among returning personnel…Even if he focuses on “D”, we do hope to see him get a few reps on offense so that his full array of abilities can best be incorporated….Last year on defense, he made 8 stops and knocked down one pass!
*Brandon Ricupero (Sr.; LB)—A potential show-stopper now that he is moving into a starting-11 capacity, as a sampling last season, 3 of his 5 total stops resulted in a loss of yards (including one sack)…If that pattern continues with a bigger sample size, then the potential is present for Ricupero to be a very special contributor in his final year at Francis Prep!
*Jayden Asmad (Sr.; CB/RB)—Stepping into a starting job in the defensive backfield, Asmad will be opposite Decruz at the other CB spot…The owner of 7.2 speed in the 55-meters, he is not going to be easy to gain separation from in one-on-one match-ups…The only non-senior to record an interception in 2021, he was credited with 4 total tackles….As an added bonus, he also has experience as a tailback (5 yards on 10 attempts); so if need be, he could absolutely be utilized as a #2 option if Coach Carroll ever wants to move Best around!
Impact Newcomers
“None”
2022 Overview
Using the motto, “We Over Me”, the Terriers return to the field in 2022 with many new faces, but with the same selfless/team-first mission that witnessed them advance to the AA-1 semis last season as a #6 seed…
Referencing the need for cohesion as a key value that will assist his squad in being the best versions of themselves during the next three months, Head Coach, Kevin Carroll should be comforted by the notion that of his 11 starters last season on offense, five return, with quite a few reserves gaining priceless experience that will allow me to step right into the line-up and contribute…
If continuity truly is a recipe to triumph, then the Fresh Meadows bunch is already off to a promising start as last year’s offensive architect, Isaiah Decruz, will be taking the snaps again after producing 938 yards and 10 touchdowns between his arm and legs…
Aiding his field general in the vertical attack will be fellow returning senior starter, Sharrieff Memminger, who had modest stats last season on offense, but is a prime candidate to be a breakout star now that he holds top-WR billing for SFP….Juniors—Sebastian Quartarolo (WR), Payton Buchanan (WR), and Tristan Hilman (TE) will add some youthful energy as each tries to carve out their own individual reputations!
Speaking of “hands all day”, senior running back, Dionis Best, may possess the best mitts of anyone on the Terriers as he enters 2022 as the person with the most career receptions on roster….One of only two St. Francis student-athletes to reach double digit grabs a year ago (the other being All-Catholic selection, Michael Solimando), Best’s ability to leak out of the backfield and become an extension of the passing game will do wonders to keep opposing defenses on thir heels!
The glue of all adhesives to a winning football at any level of the sport usually comes along the offensive line and there is no debating that the Terriers’ are quite strong in this area, as Brandon Gill (OT), Ethan Beer (OT), and Simon Sanchez (OG) will all reprise their starting duties from 2021…11th graders, George Preponis (OG) & Joseph Keller (C) round out the big boys!
The defense has overgone something of an overhaul/face-lift from the end of one year to the beginning of another….But alas, if there was one person that could act as a bridge, it would be the team’s star defensive end, Brian Daly….A freight train that runs over anything in his way, it would not be the least bit surprising to see the 235-pound senior garner DPOY support if St. Francis has a winning campaign…
Joining Daly in constituting an all-senior DL will be Constantine Kalogiros (DE), Chris Chavez (DT), as well as Simon Sanchez…
Brandon Ricupero unites with Memminger to anchor a LB cohort that should also include junior, Chris Felle!
Seniors—Decruz and Jayden Asmad will be assisted by juniors, Buchanan & Quartarolo in patrolling the air space on “D”!!!
There won’t be any easing into the new year for St. Francis, as they open up with defending AA-2 champs, Holy Trinity (now playing AA-1), on September 10th!
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7) St. John the Baptist
Head Coach: Philip Alba (Entering 4th Season as Head Coach)
Last Season: Record: 9-2; Lost 21-10 in NYCHSFL “AA-2” Finals to Holy Trinity
Top Returning Players:
*Elijah Alvarez (Sr.; RB/S)—Hailed by Coach Alba as one of the premier two-way players in the NYCHSFL, Alvarez will step into the #1 RB role this season after rushing for 314 yards and 3 TDs on 39 attempts while serving as an understudy to All-State performer, Mark Anthony Scott….Defensively, he was part of a three-man junior punch that owned the top-3 spots in total tackles…His tally of 94 (8 TFL) ranked 3rd; he also added a pair of sacks and two interceptions to his 2021 resume!
*Jayson Zeva (Sr.; WR)—A 2021 All-Catholic selection as an 11th grader, the Cougar team captain topped all SJB targets with 5 TD grabs last season….All in all, his 24 catches and 392 receiving yards were 2nd only to fellow League honored teammate, Bryce Robinson…
*Patrick Moloney (Sr.; LB/RB)—2021 All-Catholic selection….Amassing a mind-blowing total of 128 stops (10 TFL) as a junior a year ago, Moloney flies to the ball and finishes with conviction; Putting himself on the short list of preseason DPOY candidates based on his previous body of work (also 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles), Moloney is every bit a “straw that stirs the drink” caliber performer. He elevates those around him by setting an example….Not utilized much on offense as a junior, expect to see him break in an contribute as a Jack of All Trades in 2022!
*Branden Raines (Jr.; DE)—An individual who made great strides from the end of one season to the beginning of the new, Raines’s impact is going to be much more visible this year…Collecting 11 total stops as a sophomore reserve in 2021, the now upperclassman is about to emerge as a known commodity!
*Zaire Grant (Soph.; OL)—One of only three frosh listed on the 2021 varsity roster, the 290-pound youngster gained valuable experience and is now ready to assert himself as the bedrock of the offensive line (OT)!….Grant will also add depth to the DL after notching 14 stops in 2021!
*Sean Dennehy (Sr.; LB/TE)—The final piece of the previously recognized Cougars’ 3-man, junior hit patrol, Dennehy was 2nd only to Moloney, with 119 tackles (6 TFL)…He also demonstrated keen awareness, recovering two fumbles during the course of his junior campaign…With the passing game expected to be more prevalent in 2022, Dennehy will also get the chance to showcase his versatility, as his 1 catch for 5 yards from last year is a thing of a past!
*Calogero Rosado (Jr.; SS)—Credited with 30 tackles, including two for negative yardage, Rosado will be perfect “partner in crime” to Alvarez in the SJB secondary!
*Lance Maiberg (Jr.; PK)—The next in what is becoming a pattern of elite specialists, one year removed from featuring 1st team All-Stater, RJ Kocan, SJB will welcome another “BIG LEG” in the person of Maiberg….Displaying range/strength extending out to the mid-40s/50 in various highlight videos, if there was any hope of keeping this weapon a secret, that secret is out of the bag!
Impact Newcomers
*Michael Wheat (Jr.; QB)—A transfer from Roslyn, Wheat has a reputation as a pure gunslinger…Per his sophomore highlight film, he averaged over 300 yards pass and 3 TDs thrown per game in four appearances in 2021!!
*DJ Lisbon (Jr.; WR)—Coming to West Islip by way of Westbury…A bona fide speedster who stretched opposing defensive backfields repeatedly on the tape we saw of him, the 6’3 11th grader possesses tremendous length and is going to give SJB a hell of a 1-2 WR duo alongside Zeva!
*Ben Lehmler (Jr.; OL)–After starting his scholastic career at Newfield, the 245-pound 11th grader is expected to slide straight into the line-up from day #1 as a trust Offensive Guard!
*Chris King (Jr.; WR/DB)—A two-way product out of Longwood, King fits into a dual capacity with the Cougars, but will especially be featured on “D” as a cornerback….
*Luka Skoda (Soph.; LB)—Bolstering the LB corps will be this 10th grade transfer from Mepham!!!….Having cut his teeth and honed his craft at the youth level as part of some mighty tough organizations (ex- Massapequa Mustangs), there is little doubt that he comes to the NYCHSFL with the proper attitude and fundamental base to be special from the opening whistle!
*Lee Webheh (Jr.; OL)—A rare Catholic-to-Catholic transfer, Webheh commenced his career in South Huntington at St. Anthony’s….However, now that he has transformed from Friar to Cougar, anticipate him serving as a foundational/stabilizing piece of the SJB OL in the pivot!
2022 Overview
Holding a slight advantage up until the last 6:19 of the 4th quarter in their AA-2 title game appearance last season, rather than hark on a missed opportunity, the boys of West Islip have recommitted themselves and feel in their hearts that a return to the ‘ship is very much within their grasp this season.
Hit extremely hard by graduation (18 starters off of last year’s Metro runners-up), Coach Alba and his staff are not the least bit deterred as the combination of experienced senior leadership and the welcoming of multiple gifted transfers has enabled them to restock the cupboard (and then some!!)…
Regaling in what he regards as one of the most unselfish and coachable groups he has had in his tenure of the Baptist football program, Alba is anticipating steady improvement week after week!
A program that has been notorious over the years for imploring a heavy “run first” mentality, the landing of junior QB, Michael Wheat, have many pundits suggesting that a new era of Cougar football is about to unleashed…Might we see a shift to an all-out aerial strike?
While it is too soon to answer the question posed above, there is no debating that if the staff does decide to literally throw caution to the wind, all the ingredients are in place to make the magic happen…Already an All-Catholic honoree in his career, Jayson Zeva, headlines a group of wide-outs that could also bear witness to the birth of a superstar in the person of DJ Lisbon.
After being a back-up to 1,600-yard/19 TD performer (Mark Anthony Scott) last season, we are amped to see what Elijah Alvarez can do now that he ascends into the role of primary RB…
The growth (maturity, not size) of sophomore guard, Zaire Grant, when blended with the arrival of transfers— Benjamin Lehmler (OG) and Lee Webheh (C) is reason for Cougar Nation to like their odds in those snap-by-snap wars in the trenches…
Alvarez, as well as Patrick Moloney & Sean Dennehy will be ironmen this year, as the team’s top-3 tacklers from a season ago return to continue their punishing ways…
Moloney and Dennehy will be complemented by blue chip sophomore transfer, Luka Skoda, to comprise a dynamic LB cohort….Alvarez will get his help from the likes of transfer, Chris King (CB) and returning strong safety, Calogero Rosado, in the defensive backfield!
Branden Raines is a surefire lock to be one of those guys that goes from unknown to unforgettable as he steps in to start at DE!
Opposing schools do not want to be leading by less than 3 late in any game versus John the Baptist…The cannon leg attached to junior kicker, Lance Maiberg, is a great equalizer and possible difference-maker!