Article by Matt Diano
1) Xavier
Head Coach: Chris Stevens (Entering 21st Season at the helm)
Last Season: Record: 1-8; Lost 35-21 in NYCHSFL “AA-1” Quarterfinals to league runners-up, Moore Catholic
Top Returning Players
*James Franchock (Sr.; FS)—The trend-setter for the entire “D”, as an 11th grader, Franchock ended the year 4th on the team with 55 total stops, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery….He Is the glue in 2022 for a program renowned for their toughness and tenacity!
*Shane Zaletofsky (Sr.; TB/CB)—Labeled as a conservation project, in 2021, Zaletofsky made a name for himself more so on the defensive side of the ball, as he logged 26 tackles and recovered a fumble from the cornerback position…He was spotlighted on “O”, but met quite found his footing, completing 1-of-12 pass attempts (10 yards) and carrying the ball just 12 times for a net loss…Contrary to 2021, look for 2022 to be a banner year for the Knight student-athlete, who has an entire off-season to made the necessary adjustments!
*Gavin Gallagher (Sr.; WB)—Enters the season tops among all returning players in rushing yards last season…Lining up as the Wingback, Gallagher is expected to immensely increase his 2021 output (202 yards, 1 TD, on 41 carries)
*Robert Arteca-Batista (Sr.; OL)—One of three returning starting OL off of a team whose scheme is heavily reliant on strong play in the trenches….The Knights fought their way to 1,761 yards and 17 TDs on the ground a year ago, but that “inch by inch” mentality is here to stay! It remains to be decided if Arteca-Batista will occupy a tackle position, or if his skills are better incorporated as a guard!
*Christopher O’Halloran-Gannon (Sr.; OL)—Another battle-tested specimen along the OL, he has already been penciled in to start at tackle…
*Matthew Lane (Sr.; OL)—Completing the trifecta of “big boys” will be Lane, who is expected to make a huge impact as the guard!
*Kyle Knoblauch (Sr.; DE)—The leader among the traditional down linemen, Knoblach registered 22 tackles last year, trailing only Franchock and Zaletofsky among those players that return in 2022!
Impact Newcomers
*Medhi Merah (Jr.; FB)—Squatting 510 pounds, the 11th grader out of Manhattan appeared on the 2021 roster, but saw limited field time…When opportunity was afforded to him, he capitalized, as he averaged 7.3/carry on 18 handoffs to wrap up his sophomore campaign with a net gain of 131 yards and 1 touchdown… Coach Stevens loves the raw power he brings to the line-up and singled him out as someone we need to watch in the new year!! He has “breakout star” potential!
*Ratu Delano Navoti (Jr.; DE)— Standing 6’4 and weighing in at 270, the first comment made by Stevens regarding this stud was that he possesses an NCAA DI body and is going to be a difference-maker at Defensive End…Like Merah, he rostered with the varsity in 2021, but did not crack the line-up….Be prepared to witness him transform from “overlooked” to “Cannot look away”!
2022 Overview
A team that you cannot judge based solely on their 2021 record, the Knights returned to the field last season after a full-year hiatus (sat out 2020 due to COVID) and held their own…The eight losses tagged on them are quite misleading as they were within a score or two in all but three of those contests…In a pair of showdowns with eventual AA-1 bridesmaids, Moore Catholic, Xavier fell but were competitive in each, losing by tallies of 28-14 (regular season) before being eliminated from the postseason, 35-21…
Having had the benefit of knocking some of that rust off and putting in a solid training camp, the cry of “Resilience and Restoration” will echo loudly this coming season as Coach Stevens is confident in the core of seniors that will set the tone!
Throwbacks to a time when football was all about determination and will power, if you are going to run the single-wing system, a necessary starting point is fierceness in the trenches…And Xavier has that In bundles thanks to the presence of incumbents—Christopher O’Halloran-Gannon, Robert Arteca-Batista & Matthew Lane….Daniel Edwards will another OL that should prove invaluable!
One of many individuals that attempted a pass last year, Shane Zaletofsky, struggled in 2021 while trying to balance double-duty (also started in the defensive backfield)….A natural athlete who now is able to concentrate on orchestrating the offensive attack, we as counting on a much different outcome for him in 2022!
Adding boom to the “Run-first” scheme will be the three-headed monster of Gavin Gallagher, Medhi Merah, and Anthony Dabao (11 yards on 2 carries)…Gallagher will be the speed back, while the latter two (both of whom are 200+ pounds) are going to represent the thunder aspect of the “48-minute, ground & pound approach.” Because this group enter under the radar, their triumphs could catch opponents by surprise!
While the 2021 stat line points at a lot of fresh faces eager to carve out their own legacies, at first glance, we especially are excited to see what a defensive line spearheaded by Kyle Knoblach and Ratu Navoti will bring to the tackle…Each was praised by their head coach!
Senior rover, James Franchock, is the person with the biggest rep on “D” following a junior season where he recorded 55 stops…Fellow 12th grader, Matthew Scariano (5 stops), saw action in 2021 and will be hungry to thrive in an expanded role!
Seniors—Dev Watkins (3 tackles) and Sean Donohue (3 stops, 1 FF) bring leadership to the last line of defense!!
Embarking on their 175th anniversary season on the gridiron, equally important as winning is the cherished and proud tradition that puts this program in a category of its own…And as part of honoring/preserving their history, Xavier invites all to watch them play at Maimonides Park for their October 1st clash with Holy Cross!!!
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2) Holy Cross
Head Coach: Tim Smith (Entering 7th Season at the helm)
Last Season: Record: 5-4; Lost 27-0 in NYCHSFL “AA-2” Semifinals to eventual league champs, Holy Trinity
Top Returning Players:
*Terrence Alexander (Jr.; FS/RB)—The seasoned veteran among the last line of defense, the 5’7, 175-pound junior centerfielder led all Knights last season with 6 pass break-ups to go along with 1 INT, 3 QB hurries, and 27 total tackles…Not currently listed as the starting TB, it is noted that as a sophomore, Alexander finished 2nd on the team in rushing yards with 193 on 46 hand-offs. He was one of only four HC players to record a TD on the ground in 2021! He also hauled in 10 receptions for an additional 150 yards and a bonus score!
*Nakai Maupin (Sr.; RB)—Penciled on as the #1 RB on the depth chart, the 5’9, 170-pounder has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40 and is the last person you ever want to find open space on the field; once he has a patch of green in front of him, he’s gone!!! As a junior, he was afforded sporadic carries (23) for a net gain of 70 yards…Those numbers will increase exponentially now that will be serving in a primary capacity!
*Issac Glaudin (Jr.; WR/DB)—Tied for or owning the outright lead in all receiving categories for Holy Cross a season ago, the 5’10 junior notched 20 grabs for 459 yards and 5 TD receptions…Showing some versatility on end around and jet sweep type sequences, he gained 55 yards and scored once on 20 carries…Not referenced as a starting in the secondary, we fully anticipate that he will be seeing quality time on “D” after posting a 16-stop, 3-PD, 1-INT resume as a sophomore!
*Nicolas Woods (Jr.; LB/RB)—A 5’11, 190-pounder that plays much bigger than his physical size, the honor roll student (3.8 GPA) attacks down-hill with bad intentions…As a sophomore, he topped all Knights in both TFLs (8) and sacks (3), with his 61 total stops ranking 2nd…Efficient in coverage, he rounded out his defensive resume by knocking down a pair of passes in his direction….Running for 98 yards on 30 attempts, he too fits into the RB committee if necessary!
*Nicholas Servidio (Jr.; Two-Way Lineman)—The only Knight this season that will start in the trenches on both sides of the line of scrimmage, the 6’1 junior will be the pulse of the DL at defensive position…As a sophomore, he registered 16 tackles, 2 sacks, and batted down a pass….Offensively at OT, he joins a very experienced band of brothers that assisted the Green & Gold in a 2,401 yard/25 TD showing a year ago!
*Christian Alexandre (Sr.; LB)—A fierce presence on “D” at OLB, as a junior, he collected 21 tackles and will be even more involved in his last season donning the Knight gear…
*Christopher Galindo (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Returning to his spot as a starting guard on offense, even though he is not noted on the defensive depth chart, Galindo is sure to get into the mix following a junior season in which he racked up 17 stops and 1 sack!
*Nicholas Frederick (Sr; DL)—Capable of playing either on the inside or outside of the defensive line, Coach Smith has elected to put him at DT following an 11th grade campaign that witnessed him be among the sack leaders with 2 as part of a cumulative 12-stop display!
Impact Newcomers
*Clo Santiago (LB)—One of the new additions to the Knights, Santiago is wasted little time in making an impression; he earned the right to be a day #1 starter among the LB cohort!
*Vaughn Washington (Jr; WR)—Coming to Frances Lewis Blvd. By way of Canarsie, when reviewing his tape, you see a young man that is dangerous as both a runner and a pass-catcher…He finds the hole quickly and pulls away from defenders in open space….As a receiver, he is able to overcome the stigma of shorter (5’9) receivers by doing an amazing job high-pointing the ball when it is in the air…With Glaudin being the only polished receiver among returning personnel, his arrival in Queens gives opposing secondaries a second reason to feel trepidation!
2022 Overview
A Knight program that will possess much greater depth than a season ago, Head Coach, Tim Smith is preaching a message of “family” and “total team” where the goal is to have an abundance of student-athletes making impacts as opposed to 2021 when All-Stater, Devin Grant, was viewed by pundits as a one-man show on both sides of the ball (QB/FS)…
While the battle for who will take the snaps has yet to be decided, Holy Cross seems to be in idle shape elsewhere at all the skill positions as they return a top-3 rusher out of the backfield, their census #1 pass-catcher out wide, and will lean on an OL that is both talent and experience rich after going to war with one another on countless occasions…
Senior, Nakai Maupin, is the man listed in the RB1 spot, but out gut and/or past track record does us that there will be a troupe of backfield options including, but by no means limited to: Terrence Alexander and Nicolas Woods…Ranking 2nd, 3rd, and 5th last season in terms of net ground gains for HC, Maupin was low man on the totem poll, but because his peers are also prominent members of the “D”, he will handle the bulk of the workload….The trio combined for 361 yards and 1 TD on 99 carries in 2021…Alexander is also a potent pass-catcher and is sure to keep the opponents honest by leaking out from time to time…
Speaking of targets in the vertical strike portion of the attack, Issac Glaudin, the most productive WR for Holy Cross last season is back to further enhance his already impressive reputation…One of only three individuals on the team to record double digit grabs a season ago, he will be the greatest asset/friend that the QB will have….Junior transfer, Vaughn Washington, is a flashy play-maker that thrives in open space and will record his fair share of 20+ gainers as both a runner on trick calls and as a conventional receiver…After being credited with just one grab as a sophomore, Joseph Santos, is hunting for a break-out year as the #3 WR!
The addition of defensive star, Nicholas Servidio, to an offensive line that before be came aboard was already quite prominent thanks to returning starters— Elijah Bojos (OT), Donovan Mohamed (OG), and Christopher Galindo (OG) creates an embarrassment of riches in the pit!!…
Servidio (DE), Woods (LB), and Alexander (FS) also will also have the pressure of being kingpins within their separate dwellings in each of the three levels of defense…
Complementing Servidio on the inside of the DL will be senior DT, Nicholas Frederick…Combined they registered four sacks and 28 tackles in 2021….
Woods co-anchors the backbone of the Knight “D”, as he and Christian Alexandre were responsible for 82 stops, 3 sacks, and 3 QB hurries between themselves as starting LBs…Transfer, Clo Santiago, who was singled out as an impact newcomer, further bolsters the unit!
Alexander will be joined by Aidan Fields (CB), James Louis (CB), and Jeremy Shaw (SS; 3 tackles in 2021) to form the air traffic controller brigade!
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3) Kennedy Catholic
Head Coach: Dominick Tassone (Entering 7th Season at the helm)
Last Season: Record: 5-5; Lost 42-29 in NYCHSFL “AA-2” Semifinals to eventual runners-up, St. John the Baptist
Top Returning Players:
*Anthony Castaldi (Sr.; QB)—2021 All-Catholic Selection….Honorable Mention All-State…A dual-threat treasure that will beat you with every limb on his body, Castaldi is attracting plenty of NCAA recruiting attention (mostly FCS) due to his pure athleticism…If not for being a trusted hurler of the pigskin, he is versatile enough to be a running back, a Wide Receiver, and a Swiss Army knife on defense …Taking the snaps as part of an decorated junior campaign, he generated 1,371 yards and 15 touchdowns…He might be the first NYCHSFL player in history to lead his team in both passing (441) and receiving (187) yards as he hit on 47-of-88 attempts (4 TDs) while wearing one hat, while also making 11 grabs (2nd most on the team) for 2 additional scores as a donner of another!….Not currently listed as a defensive starter, his 39 tackles a year ago are were among the most on the team. He tacked on an INT and forced fumble to round out his dual-sided resume!
*Luis Garcia (Sr.; WR/DB)—Called upon to accept a much larger role as part of the aerial attack, the 6’0, 170-pounder is a lock to blow his previous career-highs out of the water in his last season as a Gael….One of only five players to record a TD reception in 2021 for KC, he totaled 32 yards on three total catches…His influence was considerably more authoritative as a member of the Kennedy secondary, as he emerged with team-bests of 4 interceptions and 9 pass-break-ups to along with 24 total stops!
*Nick Duryea (Sr.; RB/DB)—Lost to a season-ending injury at the onset of his junior year, there is no doubt that the multi-sport (stars on the baseball diamond) standout was in store for a big junior year had the bug not bitten hard!…A true All-Purpose back who leaks out of the backfield with ease, in his “abbreviated” 2021 season, he still managed to catch four passes for 88 yards and 1 score…As a runner, he tallied 30 yards on eight carries…There will be a lot of expectations placed on his shoulders as he replaces All-Catholic selection, Chris Kalle, who transferred following a 1000+/10 TD display as a sophomore!
*Isreal Centeno-Johnson (Jr. RB/DB)—Yet another TB whose hands are exceptional and who will come at you in a variety of ways, we thought that Centeno-Johnson may be slotted at WR in 2022; but instead, he has been put in permanent marker as the second running back….As a sophomore, he topped all Gael student-athletes with 19 catches (tied for the team lead with 2 TD grabs) for 137 yards (2nd most on the squad behind only Castaldi)…He was not credited with a rushing attempt a year ago; so it will be interesting to see how well he transitions into a different role as an 11th grader…Defensively, he will at the other CB spot. His stat sheet last year read as follows: 3 stops, 1 pass defense!
*Gianni Bove (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—The lone returning starter off of an OL that was essential in doing their part in a 2,734 yard/31 TD collective showcase, Bove will slide over to left tackle as a senior….After recording six stops last year in a reverse role on “D”, the magnitude of his skills will be exhibited to a much higher degree as the back end of his ironman status comes by way of a starting spot at DE!
*Nick Calandros (Sr.; WR/LB)—One of the more complete/universal assets for the Gaels will be the 5’10, 180-pounder who turned in a successful year on both sides of the line in 2021, making 10 receptions for 106 yards as an offensive target, while concurrently having the energy/selflessness to will himself to a 19-tack;e, 2-sack, 1 interception curricula vitae on “D”!
*Dan Duryea (Sr.; TE/LB)—Making his mark almost exclusively as a defender a season ago, the second stud of this family name will be much more involved as he finds himself slotted to start on both sides of the ball in his scholastic curtain call…In 5 appearances as a junior, he collected 29 tackles!
*Mark Theriault (Sr.; RB/SS)—Proclaiming that he wants to make the “end of an era” magical for himself and his fellow seniors, Theriault is another Gael that is going to anywhere and everywhere for the full 48 minutes….Factoring into the RB rotation, he was 3rd on the team in both yards accumulated (162) and TD runs recorded (2) despite just 20 carries…True to the pattern, his mitts aren’t too shabby either, as he pulled in two receptions for 13 yards as a receiver…His glimpses of brilliance on offense, while impressive, was not where his star was most illuminated…On the contrary, he was the utmost pest on “D”, making 42 stops (4th on the team), earning 2 QB bags (tied for 2nd), and hurrying the passer on five occasions (3rd among all KC personnel in 2021)…Cut in the cloth of a Rodney Harrison and/or Jamal Adams, he is a safety that lives in the opposing backfield and constantly has the other team’s QB on high alert!
*Chris Hutchins (Sr.; Two-way Linman)—Assuming the role of the starting pivot on offense, Hutch is not presently listed as a defensive top-11 player, but his output last season is reason enough to foresee him bouncing back-and-forth between the two lines of scrimmage….As an 11th grader, he amassed 30 stop, 1 sack, and a pair of QB hurries.
*James Arefieg (Jr.; DB)—Not one who is going to be cheated of turf time in 2022, there is still come confusion as to how Arefieg will be utilized….Presently, he is listed as platooning at SS with Theriault…But being that both are human dynamite that can alter the course of games; we are hoping to see a more official role constructed…As a sophomore, he logged 24 tackles and was credited with one sack and one interception apiece!!
Impact Newcomers
*Chris Earle (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Thrust into double duty, the 240-pound 12th grader will aid the running game as a starting OG; he will then switch sides of the ball as a starting DT.
*Nate Covert (So.; OT)—-Possessing ideal size to be a wrecking ball on the OL, the 6’3, 285-pounder will occupy the RT spot…On his way to being a future three-year starter, there is a confidence that with hard work, Covert could one day follow in the path of 2017 Lineman of the Year, Ed Longest…
*Rob Cross (So; LB)—The anticipated starter at Middle Linebacker, Cross will be an integral part of a corps that returns plenty of depth, but could always benefit from a raw play-maker such as himself!!!…
2022 Overview
A team that is swinging for the fences by playing one of, if not the most ambitious schedules in AA-2 this season, the Gaels are scheduled to bang heads with THREE AA-1 opponents, including a journey-opening match-ups with defending NYCHSFL champs, Holy Trinity (AA-2 titlists in 2021; elevated to AA-1 this year)….This “Iron sharpening Iron” philosophy as expressed by Coach Dominick Tassone, is certain to build character and have boys from Somers ready to handle any obstacle that comes their way In November…
Single-A finalists for two straight seasons in 2018 and 2019 (champions), despite losing one of their most promising and prolific contributors (All-Catholic RB, Chris Kalle) to the “transfer portal”, when we take a gander at the assortment of speed, agility, and flair that will be donning the Red, Navy, and White during the next three months, we admittedly are impressed!
Spurred by “Mr. Do Everything”, Anthony Castaldi (one of the finest pure athletes in NYS) at the quarterback position, scoring points should not be problematic during the next 9-12 weeks!!!…Castaldi is so freakishly blessed that if he was not already projected to be an All-Catholic selection under center, he’d probably be a shoe-in to hog the accolade at either RB or WR…If there is a box that can be checked, he is going to find a way to make a definitive mark in it!!
While it may be asking too much to chew off for one man to fill the deficit left by Kalle’s departure, the good news is that KC can march out a three-headed beast—Nick Duryea, Isreal Centeno-Johnson, and Mark Theriault that together will absolutely collect territory that way a philatelist stockpiles stamps…Not only can all three answer the bell as ball-carriers, they each have proven themselves as receivers to boot!
Senior, Jonathan Ferrara (2 catches for 6 yards), and 11th grader, Luke Stephan (5 grabs for 18 yards) bring some field experience out wide, and will be amazing complements to established commodity, Nick Calandros, who was one of only three Gaels with double-digit receptions a year ago….
Gianni Bove is the heartbeat of an offensive line that will be welcoming four new starters!…But the arteries that will feed the blood supply will be the like of 290-pound fellow OT, Nate Covert, guards Rich Ponzini & Chris Earle, and the man in the center of it all, Chris Hutchins…Hutchins and Ponzini made some Noise on “D” in 2021; so if they embrace their new roles with that same passion, then every sign points upwards for this band of giants to gel as a cohesive and dominant unit!
The secondary being the buttress of a “D” that has experience in the majority of areas, the additions of Centeno-Johnson (CB) and Duryea (FS) transform what was already a strength and propel it to next level status…Luis Garcia (CB), who led all Gaels in both INTs and PDs as a junior, will be likely draw the responsibility of going 1-on-1 with the best WR on the enemy…Theriault & James Arefieg combined for 66 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 QB hurries, and an INT; Both are listed as strong safeties on the depth chart; but one could be a conversion at a later date to fortify a different part of the defensive outfit!
Calandros and fellow senior, Danny Duryea, will co-headline the LBs after posting unified totals of 48 stops, 2 sacks, and 1 interception in 2021…6’2, 200-pounder, Rob Cross, will bring size to the corps as the team’s projected MIKE!…Castaldi may not start, but that does not mean he will be silence after registering nearly 40 tackles and an interception!
Sophomore, Ronan Sullivan, and 11th grader, Llogan Raynor, unite with ironmen, Bove & Earle, to form the DL…As acknowledged previously, Hutchins and Ponzini, can/will cement the defensive line’s depth!
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4) Mount St. Michael Academy
Head Coach: Mario Valentini (Entering 39th Season at the helm; 44 total at the school)
Last Season: Record: 2-8; Lost 43-14 in NYCHSFL “AA-2” Quarterfinals to Holy Cross
Top Returning Players:
*Marc Pearson Jr. (Jr.; QB)—An individual who has seen time under center in each of the previous two seasons, the 6’2, 178-pound field general is hoping 2022 will be the year where all the hard work begins to show itself on the field…Showing glimpses of what he is capable of doing, Pearson had the best game of his career during the homestretch of the 2021 season, going 7-for-10 (2 TD passes) in a win over Nazareth Regional….However, all in all, he is seeking to improve upon a campaign in which his overall numbers were the following: 14-for-43, 132 yards passing, 2 TDs/4 INTs…
*Tyler Bobe (Jr.; RB)—The leader in all rushing categories for the Mountaineers a season ago as an underclassman, Bobe averaged just under 5 yards per carry, gaining 374 yards and scoring four touchdowns on 79 attempts…He also made a pair of catches for 20 yards to display well-roundness out of the backfield!
*Franklin Dominguez (Soph.; RB)—Banking valuable experience last year as a freshman on varsity, Dominguez finished third on team in total carries last season (49) and ended his rookie season with a net gain of 166 yards…As he has gotten stronger due to natural maturity, those numbers should only continue to go up with each subsequent season.
*Jabril Carter (Sr.; WR/DB)—2021 All-Catholic selection…One of two returning Mount student-athletes that earned league distinction a year ago, Carter topped all Mountaineers in every receiving category, concluding his junior campaign having hauled in 26 balls for 509 yards and 7 TD grabs…Not referenced on the depth chart as expected to start, the 2 interceptions he logged as a defensive back suggests that there is good chance he will be utilized on both sides of the line in his swan song!
*Kameron Wheeler (Sr.; WR/SS)—The back half of an explosive 1-2 punch out wide for MSMA, Wheeler too is fresh off of an amazing 2021 year that witnessed him challenge his teammate for program bests in every possible way…He accumulated 24 catches for 303 yards w/4 TD snatches!…Identical to Carter, there is no mention of Wheeler being an ironman, but he did register a pair of interceptions, so you cannot count out the possibility that he will an every snap performer!
*Justin Roberts (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—A catalyst on both sides of the war zone, the 5’10, 205-pound senior will literally be front and center in everything he does in 2022….On offense, he’ll act as the pivot for a unit that generated 2,185 yards and 15 touchdowns last season…Defensively, he is back for another year of wreaking havoc up the middle after posting a team-high of 3 sacks to go along with 21 cumulative stops!
*Tyler Cadienhead (Sr.; DE)—2021 All-Catholic honoree….Topping all Mountaineers in total tackles last season (3 for a loss of yardage), as well as earning two QB bags, the edge rusher will lead by example for yet another season!
*Malique Outlaw-Butler (Sr.; LB)—The leader of the LB corps, as a junior, Outlaw-Butler concluded the 2021 season just below Cadienhead on the totem pole with 28 total tackles!
*Jonathan Otoo (Jr.; DB/RB)—One of the most versatile and valuable players on the MSMA roster, Otoo saw time on both sides of the ball as a sophomore, but especially made his presence known on “D”, racking up 23 tackles, 1 INT, and a forced fumble….A hybrid safety/linebacker by trade, he can both stuff the run and drop into pass coverage with equal adeptness…Used sparingly on offense as a 10th grader, in the few occasions in which he was spotlighted, Otoo proved that he could be an effective option at RB, rushing for 90 yards on 20 carries, and grabbing 3 balls for an additional 24 yards as a target in the aerial attack!
*Zaire Caldwell (Soph.; DE)—Perceived as being on the verge of jumping levels and emerging as a superstar, Caldwell was credited with just 2 stops as a 9th grader…That number is going to blow up in 2022!!!
*Luis Ferran (Sr.; DB/QB)—A most intriguing case where what is known is that the 5’9 senior is going to be a play-maker in the secondary (8 tackles, 1 INT as a junior)…What remains to be seen though is whether or not he might also reveal himself to be a hero on offense to boot….As an 11th grader, he took the majority of snaps, connecting on 78-of-160 attempts for 1,121 yards and 9 TD throws. He was slightly turnover prone (10 interceptions thrown), but if an opportunity should materialize, it would not be shocking to see him deliver some highlight moments under center!
Impact Newcomers
“NONE”
2022 Overview
A team that is not settling for less than their best, but is realistic regarding end of the season prognosis, Head Coach, Mario Valentini (now in his 44th year as part of the program), indicated that success this season will be measured by the development that occurs from start to finish…
Applauding the work ethic and camaraderie he has witnessed from his squad during camp, Valentini seemed confident that increased speed and experience will ultimately yield better results in the standings…But more important than the win/loss tally, “being competitive” is the sign of progress after being outscored 286-152 last year!
By no means limited by a lack of raw athleticism, if the Mountaineers can establish a more consistent passing game in 2022, there is no reason why they should not be there at the end of every contest!
Haunted by a sub-.500 completion percentage (45.3%) and 14 interceptions between the two gentlemen—Marc Pearson Jr. & Luis Ferran—that took snaps a year ago, if either (Pearson is expected to get the week #1 start) finds their groove, then it can be off to the races for the Mount…
Aiding the cause in repairing the aerial attack will be an elite tandem of receivers—Jabril Carter and Kameron Wheeler…Both legitimate #1 WR caliber talents, Carter was named to the All-Catholic team as a junior, and Wheeler certainly had to have been in the conversation…Together, they accounted for 50 receptions, 812 yards, and 11 touchdown catches!
Shifting gears to the running game, both Tyler Bobe and Franklin Dominguez were prominent contributors last season despite being in 10th and 9th grade respectively…Bobe swept all rushing categories on the cohort and the diaper dandy [Dominguez] demonstrated a high ceiling…Jointly, 540 of the school’s 932 yards on the ground in 2021 came courtesy of them…
Returning All-Catholic choice, Tyler Cadienhead (DE), will be joined by the likes of fellow seniors Malique Outlaw-Butler (LB), Ferran (CB), and Justin Roberts (DT; also the anchor of the OL at center), plus 11th grader, Jonathan Otoo (Rover LB) in fortifying the defense by providing leadership and polish…
Super sophomore, Zaire Caldwell, is primed for a monster season as a full-time starter at DE!…
Sophomore, Kadane Joseph, will be among the air traffic controllers this season…As a rookie, he was able to log some field time, registering 6 tackles!
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6) Xaverian
Head Coach: Kevin Fountaine (Entering 1st Season at the helm)
Last Season: Record: 2-7; Lost 35-12 in NYCHSFL “AA-2” Quarterfinals to Kennedy Catholic
Top Returning Players:
*Christopher Manzola (Sr; WR/DB)—The statistical leader across the board in every receiving category for the Clippers in 2021, Manzola hauled in 10 receptions for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns…His athleticism also showed itself in the running/jet sweep game, as he averaged over 17 yards per carry on eight attempts to conclude his junior campaign with 136 ground yards….To boot, he’s a stalwart on the defensive side of the ball, collecting 15 stops and finishing in a three-way tie for the team-high of 2 interceptions.
*Dylan Markle (Sr.; DE)—The resident sack master on the Xaverian roster, as a junior, Markle tied for the squad-high of 3 QB bags as part of an overall campaign that witnessed him register 17 total tackles…Not referenced as an offensive starter, he did make three catches for 27 yards, so it cannot be ruled out that he won’t emerge as a WR/TE option!
*Chris “CJ” Duffy (Jr.; LB)—Expected to take on a much more impactful role on defense for Xaverian, Duffy amassed 6 stops last year as a sophomore, but should see his quantity magnify now that he is an upperclassman with some weight under his belt….Not listed on the offensive depth chart, we could see him finding a role on that side of the line as well following a year where he finished 3rd on the team in rushing yards with 161 (41 carries) and was 2nd among Xaverian personnel with a pair of ground touchdowns…He also made three catches for modest gains, but it demonstrates versatility!
*Michael Duffy (Sr.; LB)—The elder of the two Duffys that will ignite the linebackers in 2022, Michael led all Clippers in stops last year with 33…He also tacked on an interception!
*Owen Conti (Soph.; WR/FS)—Arriving on the scene in grand fashion as a freshman in 2021, the 5’11, 170-pounder was among the leading tacklers with 25 stops (4th) and finished tied for the squad-high in interceptions with 2…Not appearing on the offensive stat sheet as a 9th grader, that will surely change as he has been pegged start at wide-out this year!
*Luca Rumberg (Sr.; WR)—Carving out more of a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball as an 11th grader a year ago, Rumberg recorded double digit stops (12) and topped all Clippers with 2 TFLs…Per the depth chart, he will transition over to offensive, stepping in to start at WR in his final year of scholastic competition!
Impact Newcomers
*Marco Wold (Jr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Appearing in just one game last season per MaxPreps, the 6’0, 197-pound 11th grader is going to be getting plenty of “camera time” in 2022 as he will be an instrumental part of both lines…On offense, he will occupy the OG….Defensively, he will be at DT!
*Thomas Regan (Soph.; OL)—Capable of playing all five positions along the offensive line, the 10th grader will be making his varsity debut as one of two starting tackles…
2022 Overview
The league season has not yet started and already it is evident that the Clippers are prepared to pull out all the stops!
The hiring of Head Coach, Kevin Fountaine, who got his coaching career started within the NYCHSFL (Nazareth), signals that the Brooklyn based program is eager to restore a winning tradition to Shore Road!….After all, the new head man is no stranger to resurrection, following a tenure at Poly Prep where he was hailed as the man behind the Blue Devil rebuild!
Not devoid of established talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball, if Xaverian is destined to have the kind of year that Fountaine considers feasible, then that mission starts with a steadier effort out of incumbent signal caller, Bobby Benoit…As a junior in 2021, Benoit displayed sufficient accuracy (45% on 35-of-78; 269 yards), but what plagued him was a 7:2 interception to TD pass ratio. If he is able to reverse the order of those two numbers, it would go a long way towards fostering a triumphant environment…
Hoping to make life as easy as possible for his fellow 12th grader will be the team’s leading pass-catcher from a season ago, Chris Manzola….The only Xaverian student-athlete to reach double digits as a receiver in 2021, much will be asked of him, but he is sure to deliver….Owen Conti & Luca Rumberg, who demonstrated reliable hands as defensive players last year, switch to an offensive focus and complement Manzola!
5’5, 160-pound junior running back, Freddy Scuteri, enters his junior campaign under the radar, but has won favor with the staff….Chris “CJ” Duffy could provide some insurance at the position if Scuteri gets off to a slow start while trying to get his proverbial footing!!
Sophomore OT, Thomas Regan is on his way to being a 3-year starter/future lineman of the year candidate as he makes his debut in a crucial role….He will benefit from being afforded the privilege of playing with and learning from seniors such as GianLuca Tornetti (OT), John Brown (OG), and Sal Martucci (C)…Junior, Marco Wold, is regarded as the most complete two-way lineman on the team and will round out the OL at the other guard spot!
Tasked with being catalysts for a “D” that surrendered 28 or more points in five of the team’s seven losses in 2021 will be returning leading tackler, Michael Duffy (Senior LB), sack king, Dylan Markle (Senior DE), and the previously recognized defensive backfield duo of Manzola & Conti, who combined for 40 tackles and 4 INTs last season!!!
[Chris] Duffy (LB) earned the praise of the coaching staff for his strong effort in camp and should be contend with Michael for top LB honors…
Wold will not have the luxury of too many snaps off as he will try to decimate the action up the middle the way that Markle will handle responsibilities on the exterior!
Tornetti (DE), John Mortillaro (DT), Tim Hayes (LB), and Tristan Gallagher (CB) cement the defensive unit!
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7) Cardinal Spellman
Head Coach: William Cawley (Entering 10th Season as HC)
Last Season: Record: 2-6; Lost 34-6 in NYCHSFL “AA-2” Quarterfinals to eventual runners-up, St. John the Baptist
Top Returning Players:
*Isaiah Rodriguez (Sr.; OL )—A source of experience and toughness on the offensive line, the senior pivot helped the Pilots accumulate 1,560 yards of total offense in 2021…He will be a calming influence and a person that his younger teammates can turn to for guidance!
*Hunter Burgos (Jr; Two-Way Lineman)—Multiplying the upperclass feel on both sides of the line will be the 230-pound junior out of the Bronx…Burgos will serve as the primary protector for a fresh-faced signal caller; so the better he plays, the easier the transition will be for his quarterback…Turning the page to the other side of the field, Burgos will clog the middle and bring north/south pressure as a DT!
*Richard Salonia (Sr.; RB/TE/LB)—Regarded as a multi-faceted weapon on the offensive side of the ball, Salonia will be shifted around to different positions to create mismatches…He is listed as part of a two-headed rotation at RB, but could slide out to Tight End on occasion obvious in passing situations…Among the leading returning tacklers on the roster, he will be the anvil of the linebacking corps!
*Devon Richardson (Sr.; RB/CB)—The only individual on the roster that recorded double digit carries a season ago, along with Salonia, Richardson figures to be the man most entrust with ball-carrying duties in 2022….Taking hand-offs on 11 occasions, he averaged 5.3/per to conclude the year with 53 yards…He will also captain the secondary as the starting cornerback!
*Elvis Langley (Sr.; DE)—Earning playing time last year as a junior, Langley will see his role increase immensely in his final year as a pilot…Aside from Burgos, he is projected to be the second-best DL on the squad! Blocking a punt and recovering a fumble last year, he has a knack for being in the right place at the right moment!
Impact Newcomers
*Jordan Lewis (Soph.; QB)—Stepping in to fill the shoes of multi-year starter/2021 All-Catholic selection, Aidan Piri-Hanley, will be the 10th grader, Lewis..
*Pedro Pineiro (WR/DB)—Wasting little time in making an impression, Pineiro may be under the radar now, but he won’t be by seasons end as he is slotted to start at both wide-out and strong safety!
2022 Overview
Labeled as an “entirely new team”, the Pilots graduated 22 seniors in 2022, meaning that at this early juncture of the new year, it is darn near impossible to know for sure the caliber of hand that Coach WIlliam Cawley and his staff have been dealt!
Offensively, the OL and the backfield are considered strengths as seasoned veterans return to bring consistency and routine to a group that in many ways are still leaning/cutting their teeth in the sport…
Devon Richardson did not get many chances as a junior, but when the rock was in his hand, he showcased an ability to create…He, alongside fellow senior, Richard Salonia, will be determined to dominate clock management and shorten the game by rotating at the RB position…
Offensive Tackle, Hunter Burgos, and center, Isaiah Rodriguez, will comprise the “Bisquick Brotherhood” in that they will be the men tasked with dishing out several helpings of instant pancakes in the trenches…
Graduating just about everyone who was credited with a reception last season, the coaching staff is excited about what Pedro Pineiro brings to the table…Singled out as one of the newcomers who was destined to form a “buzz”, if Pineiro is able to establish a quick rapport with first-year sophomore QB, Jordan Lewis (the other highlighted newbee), then not only does it bode well for 2022, but it could translate into great things down the road!!….
In addition to Salonia, Burgos, Richardson, and Pineiro, look to Manuel DeJesus (WR/LB), Massai Parker (OG/DE), and Aaron Stewart (WR/FS) as ironman who will be priceless while serving in a dual capacity during the coming three months!
Senior, Elvis Langley, is prepped and ready to put forth a banner campaign as a last hoorah to his scholastic career!