Article by Matt Diano
Week #6 (October 14th-16th, 2022)
Matthew Dieguez (Sr.); QB – Chaminade Flyers
There is just something very special and miraculous about the heroics we see put forth by seniors each and every year when Mid-to-late October rolls around…It is almost as if they see the end of the road over the horizon and thus become inspired to elevate from “mortal” to “super human”…
For the 6’2, 190-pound field general and/or team captain [Dieguez] there are not words invented yet in the English language that could accurately and sufficiently describe the out-of-this-world performance he exhibited last Saturday on “Senior Day” in the Flyers’ 43-12 triumph over their visitors from Middle Village, Christ the King!
Throwing for only six touchdowns during the entirety of a junior campaign where he platooned with an incumbent signal caller [Thomas Steuber], the Westbury resident in the #5 jersey would need only 2.5 quarters on October 15th to match his 2021 totals…
Connecting on 10 of 19 aerial attempts, the resulting 271 yards is the most recorded by a Chaminade quarterback in a single outing since the 2017 season when Thomas Rogan hurled for 314 yards in a quarterfinal loss to Archbishop Stepinac…And while it cannot be officially confirmed, the SIX (!!!!!!) TD throws is believed to have set a school record (it is the most documented since MaxPreps started tracking yearly statistics circa 2008; and is two short of the NYS record as cited by the New York Sports Writers’ Association)!
Forced to punt on the team’s initial possession of the afternoon, the Fordham University baseball commit (started at 1st base and batted 5th for the 2022 NYCHSAA State Champs) would proceed to orchestrate touchdown-yielding drives on four of the Crimson & Gold’s next six offensive series to send the hosts from Mineola into the locker room up 29-12!
Registering a pair of TD passes in each of the first two quarters, Dieguez struck for the first time (Flyers’ trailing 6-0) with 5:18 remaining in the 1Q when he hit John Carroll on a 70-yard pump-and-go on 3rd down to put Chaminade in front, 7-6…
Approximately three minutes later on their next drive, the All-Senior duo of Dieguez and Gavin Creo (4 grabs for 88 yards, 3TD receptions) hooked up for the first of their three scoring exchanges on a 26-yard dart over the middle that increased the advantage to 13-6….
The scoreboard now reading 13-12 in favor of the home team early in the 2nd quarter, Dieguez went right back to his favorite target [Creo], playing pitch-and-catch on a short wide-receiver screen and then allowing the Richmond Spider lax pledge to do the rest, as #24 made multiple cuts en route to going 32 yards to the promised land to restore the cushion to 20-12 with 8:55 left in the half…
Following the Chaminade “D” inducing a safety (22-12), Dieguez continued to distribute “the love”, as TD toss #4 was perhaps the most impressive, as he rolled right to create time and then spotted John Tully (3 receptions for 46 yards, 1TD) over the middle on the opposing 20, from which the junior RB would sprint across field and dive at the pylon to finish off the 43-yarder in the last 2:43 before the break!
Apparently not yet satisfied with his body of work, the future Ram tacked on two additional TD hurls before departing with a little over 6:00 to go in 3Q, as he capitalized off of a short field (botched punt attempt that set up the Flyers in the red zone) by completing the Creo trifecta with a 16-yarder “on the Y” in the back of the end zone to further pull away, 36-12, with 8:30 remaining in the third quarter….
Dieguez’s final act came less than 2:00 later as he dumped the ball off to Jack Francesa (2 catches for 67 yards, 1 touchdown), who encountered nothing but green grass in front of him on a 43-yard screen pass that closed out the scoring for the Jackson Avenue posse!!
Entering week #6 having accumulated 597 yards and 4 TD passes in his swan song, Dieguez’s career-day swelled his 2022 fall stat line to the following: 58-for-113 (51%), 868 yards, and 10 TD throws!!…
Jonathan Otoo (Jr.); RB/DB – Mt. St. Michael Acad. Mountaineers
Last week we said his name needed to be changed to 0too to reflect the goose-eggs he was helping to generate on defense…Today, we proclaim that he needs to add a hyphenated extension….Because with each subsequent outing, the 5’11, 170-pounder from the Bronx [Otoo] is showing himself to be “Otoo-Matic” in terms of taking over the game and propelling the Mountaineers to victory…
Honored during week #5 in recognition for his aforementioned defensive excellence in a 47-0 win over St. Dom’s, this past Saturday afforded him an opportunity to shine on the offensive side of the ball, as he registered the first multiple rushing touchdown game of his scholastic career in a 36-12 triumph over Holy Cross that gave Mount St. Michael Academy their fifth victory in their past six appearances to raise their overall record to an impressive 5-2!!!
To be named as a POTW twice in one season is a feat worthy of commendation; to do it in consecutive weeks is a tale of legend…But yet, Otoo is simply making it impossible to exclude him with the party!
Carrying the pigskin on eight occasions for 42 yards (his second highest total of his tenure), Otoo was the “finisher” for The Mount during the majority of the game, as he was responsible for the school’s first three TDs of the day (one touchdown apiece in each of the first three quarters) to personally account for 50% of their October 15th output!
Breaking the ice in a previously scoreless game with 1:02 remaining in the opening quarter, #20 logged the first of his hat trick when he took halfback toss to the left, turned the corner, and then cut back to the inside to arrive at paydirt from 5 yards out to give the Mountaineers a 7-0 lead…
His team still clinging to the one-score advantage with just under 2:00 remaining in the 1st half, Otoo delivered again, as he took the pitch from Marc Pearson Jr. off of a QB option and darted into the end zone for a 6-yard TD trek that increased the margin to 15-0 (Nico Bustamante turned a failed PAT into an intuitive 2pt conversion run) at the intermission!!!
The visiting Knights having answered with a TD of their own to cut the deficit to 15-6, Otoo completed the “natural hatter” when he made the guests from Queens pay for a very costly turnover in their own territory (HC 13) by plunging across the goal line two snaps later (both his carries) from a distance of 7 yards to again create separation (22-6) with 2:51 to go in the 3rd quarter!
Cut in the cloth of that “Jack of All Trades” that we admire so much, just because he was having a banner day on offense does not mean he neglected his duties to the “D”…On the contrary, he collected a team-best 8 total stops (tied for the team-high of 5 solo), was credited with a TFL, and even helped generate a turnover when he pounced on a fumble!
Heading into week #7 of the regular season, Otoo currently ranks first on the team defensively in the following categories—Stops (34), TFLs (5), and interceptions (tied with 2)…To boot, he is 2nd in ground TDs (5) and 3rd in rushing yardage (223) as an illustration of his all-encompassing impact!!
Michael Cogoni (Sr.); OL – Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders
5 MILES!!! That is approximately the distance that the Crusaders’ offense has traveled in terms of total offensive production since the 6’3, 285-pound Left Tackle out of Hopewell Junction [Cogoni] assumed a starting position on the OL as a 10th grader!
A punishing road grader and/or personal security guard depending on his assignment, watch one series of game tape and you clearly see why the senior leader in the trenches is drawing collegiate interest from the likes of Marist and Coastal Carolina!
In Stepinac’s most recent victory this past Saturday (56-20 over Cardinal Hayes), the monstrous honor roll student-athlete was do dominant that he all but negated a very capable Cardinals’ pass rush by never letting them near his junior signal caller, Will Currid….
The byproduct of having a comfortable pocket and ample time to survey the field was that the 11th grade QB1 was able to connect on 15-of-22 attempts for 348 yards and four touchdown passes…And while that may seem to be exceptional; the truth is that the protection has so consistent and outstanding all season that Currid has actually slinged for no fewer than 270 yards in any game this year (max of 483 in a week #5 loss to Iona Prep), while also tossing multiple touchdowns in six of seven outings to give him mind-blowing totals of 2,370 yards and 21 TDs….That is the intrinsic and often underappreciated value that a stellar OT can bring to your program!!!
And it is not as if Cogoni is one-dimensional or discriminates in his authoritative obligations; he is just as sovereign as a run-blocker; a fact that was displayed when A.S. chose to cut left on both of their scoring rushes (3-yarder by Lorenzo Robinson in the 1st quarter; 4-yard trek by Jordan Osbourne in the 2nd)!!!
The doer of the dirty work that produced 443 yards and six touchdowns on home soil on October 15th, with Cogoni setting the tone for the blockers, Stepinac has now generated sums of 286 points (40.9/game), 2,395 yards passing (342.1/game), and 754 yards rushing (107.7/per) in their seven contests this fall…If these gains sustain, it would be the most prolific performance since the 2018 season when Stepinac seized the NYCHSAA State Crown!!!
Kieran Connolly (Sr.); OLB – Iona Prep Gaels
In a time and place where more student-athletes in the Empire State are inking name/image/likeness deals, we believe we have the perfect partnership for the 6’0, 190-pound Rover LB hailing from Yonkers [Connolly]…GATORADE ZERO!
Because every time that it seemed as if the Gaels might lose their shutout this past Saturday, the two-year starter/2022 team captain would make a play that blew up a promising Firebird drive…
On at least four separate key occasions, the young man with the 3.7 GPA heard his name called on an effort that either directly or indirectly resulted in a change of possession in the Gaels’ 49-0 triumph over visiting Kellenberg Memorial…
Checking off just about every possible box on the defensive stat sheet, The Iona Prep senior amassed 9 total tackles (3 solo), multiple TFLs, a pair of sacks, and even a perfectly-timed INT to propel the Maroon & Gold to their second shutout of the fall (previously accomplished in week #1; 27-0 over Cardinal Hayes)…
Making his debut on the POTW list this week, the first signature stop that caught our attention occurred with IP up 7-0 with a little more than 10:00 remaining in the opening face…The visitors facing 3rd & 3 with the ball spotted just past midfield, Connolly flew into the backfield with a clean-up tackle that yielded a 3-yard loss and induced a KMHS punt…
A little more than 4:00 later (IP having increased the lead to 14-0), Connolly answered the call again when on 2nd & 2 on his own 34, the former safety turned hybrid LB dropped into pass coverage and picked off a pass while backpedaling on the Gael 10-yard line to halt another series for the guests from Long Island…
The scoreboard only getting further tilted towards the hosts from New Rochelle (21-0 early In 3Q), #6 posted was personally responsible for creating yet another turnover, as he charged in on 4th & 2 and dragged Firebird All-Catholic QB, Devin Page, down by his jersey for a sack that set up Iona Prep with their best starting field position of the afternoon (opposing 19)…
After Kellenberg temporarily gained some momentum (they survived the predicament above by generating an INT), for the fourth time of the matinee, Connolly crushed their souls when his second QB bag of the contest (on 3rd & 10) mandated another punt!!!
The linchpin of a D-Unit that held the ‘Berg scoreless for the first time since the 2016 season, Connolly and his brothers surrendered only 207 yards of total offense, which is KMHS’s lowest output of 2022 and well below the 373.7 they were averaging thru six games!
Isaiah DeCruz (Sr.); QB/DB – St. Francis Prep Terriers
“Short and sweet
, nimble with feet…Lock & Load, Toggle Beast Mode” is somewhat cheesy and/or lame, but yet it provides a fairly spot-on assessment of how the night of October 15th transpired for the 5’10, 154-pound senior out of Jamaica [DeCruz]
Departing one series into the third quarter of the Terriers’ 20-0 victory over Xaverian, the dual-threat field general certainly made the most of the limited time he was patrolling the offense, as he connected on 4-of-7 throw attempts for 105 yards (1TD), while also rushing for an additional 42 yards and two more scores (6 carries) to directly account for 18 of SFP’s 20-point output…
Firing on all cylinders straight off the bus, after the Francis Prep defense forced a punt on the Clippers initial drive of the game, it was DeCruz immediately putting his school on top when on their first possession of the evening, he faked a hand-off and called his own number, sprinting into the end zone from a distance of 6 yards out to give the squad from Fresh Meadows the quick 6-0 advantage just 3:56 into the 1st quarter…
He added his second rushing touchdown of the night with 7:28 left to play in the 1st half when on 4th & goal, he found a hole slightly off center and plunged up the middle for the 2-yarder that increased the cushion to 12-0….Prior to the short-distance keeper, it was 30-year hook-up from DeCruz to junior WR, Payton Buchanan (1 grab for 30 yards), that put the Terriers in business, moving the ball from the opposing 35 to 5-yard line!
His talents as a runner already cemented/confirmed for the night, the man in the #5 jersey took a turn at showcasing his arm at the onset of the third quarter, as he more than just converted on 3rd & 14 when he scrambled around and hurled a beautiful 36-yard pass into the waiting arms of his top target, Sebastian Quartarolo (3 grabs for 82 yards, 1 TD catch) who needed to take just one step to reach the promised land!
The three total touchdowns orchestrated by DeCruz tied a career-high that he previously set twice (both times against St. Joe’s by the Sea during the 2021 season and in week #3 this fall)!!!
One of only a handful of quarterbacks in the NYCHSFL that sees considerable time on both sides of the ball, from his cornerback spot, DeCruz broke up a pair of passes to put himself into a tie for the overall team-high this year with 3 PDs!!!
The blanking of Xaverian was the second shutout of the season for St. Francis Prep, who also did the deed in a week #4 win (41-0) over Cardinal Spellman!
With two regular season contests and the postseason still awaiting DeCruz before his journey on the gridiron for SFP reaches its conclusion, it is a certainty that he will surpass all of his 2021 totals on offense (755 yards/5 TDs passing; 183 yards/5 touchdowns on the ground)…He has already tossed for 587 yards and 6 TDs (29-of-57 in the air), while running for 174/1TD (24 tries)!!!
DeCruz is now a two-time Player of the Week honoree; He was first bestowed the distinction during week #4 of the 2021 campaign!
Cristian Pinto (Jr.); QB – Monsignor Farrell Lions
Sitting at 2-4 in the standings and having lost their All-State RB [Messiah Burch] for the season weeks prior, the state of affairs on Amboy Road have not been the most favorable throughout the majority of the 2022 year…
That having been said, the Maroon & Gold have continued to hang their hats and find strength and comfort in the knowledge that despite what the win/loss column reads, they are a very dangerous squad with a wealth of playmakers that could spark an explosion at any moment!!!
That eruption came to fruition last Saturday afternoon as Monsignor Farrell scored early and often on their way to a 51-0 triumph in a battle of Staten Island bragging rights over the host Vikings of St. Joseph’s by the Sea!
On a day where there was no shortage of individuals deemed worthy of the spotlight, it was the 5’11, 175-pound junior QB [Pinto] being slightly a cut above the rest of his peers as he commanded the offense to the program’s highest-scoring appearance since 2005 (69-0 over Moore Catholic)!
Incorporating the full array of his targets into the aerial attack, his 15 connections (on 24 attempts) were distributed to SIX different receivers, as he registered the fourth 200+ yard effort of his two-year starting varsity career by ending the day with 201 yards!
In addition, his career-best four touchdown throws were dispersed to three different weapons, as he truly made it a priority to elevate everyone around him!!!
Farrell already out to a 15-0 lead following a pair of TD runs by John Caufield (10 carries, 101 yards, 2TDs), Pinto struck for the first of his golden-armed quartet when he faked a pitch and then hit a wide-open Nick Souffrin (5 receptions for 130 yards, 2 touchdown grabs) down the visiting sideline for a 90-yard hook-up with 4:38 remaining in the 1st half!
Staying engaged and focused despite the comfortable advantage, most of Pinto’s damage would be inflicted during the second half, as there was a span that witnessed him culminate three straight drives (between the middle of the 3rd and early 4th quarters) by chucking TD passes from distances of 7, 24, and 10 yards respectively to Souffrin, Shawn Keegan (3 receptions for 35 yards, 1TD), and Justin Guzman (5 grabs for 51 yards, 1TD)…
Now up 44-0, he’d exit after TD toss #4 with 11:45 still left to be finished in the final quarter!
While it did not land him in the end zone, let it be noted that #11 averaged over six yards per carry on five attempts to end with 32 rushing yards to complement his strong display in the air!
By virtue of his 200+-yard/4TD spectacle, Pinto cracked the 1,000 yard plateau for a second straight year (1,025 after accumulating 1,273 yards as a sophomore) while also exceeding his TD pass quantity from a year ago (9 in 2022 vs. 7 in 2021)!
Elijah Alvarez (Sr.); RB/Safety – St. John the Baptist Cougars
For a family that deserves nothing but respect and admiration, we could not be any happier or more privileged to be featuring the 5’11, 178-pound, two-way difference-maker for the Cougars [Alvarez]!!
His mother deployed overseas and unable to be there in a physical form to enjoy her baby boy’s swan song year as a scholastic student-athlete, every attempt is made for mom/son to catch-up via Facetime as often as possible!
When that next video chat comes goes down, there is going to be A LOT that the Cougar team captain is going to be able to proudly announce, as he was utterly and absolutely remarkable in SJB’s 21-7 victory over Xavier this past Saturday night!!
“Making his bones” a year ago primarily as a menacing defensive back (94 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs) while also serving as the understudy to All-State RB, Mark Anthony Scott, in the backfield (314 yards and 3 touchdowns on 39 carries), now that he has stepped into a dual-purpose starting role in all endeavors, the sky (as well as any other part of Earth) is the limit for Alvarez…And he is proving it on a weekly basis!!!
Responsible for all three of the Baptist scores, the National Honor Society member/Honor roll student/team captain reached and surpassed the century mark for the third time in his last four outings (sandwiched around a 97-yard game versus St. Peter’s), carrying the pigskin 15 times for a net gain of 113 yards and scoring a pair on the ground…
He’d furthermore augment his lucrative exhibition by notching the first 100-yard receiving game of his career, as he hauled in two grabs for 119 yards and an additional touchdown to cap the night having generated an astounding sum of 232 yards of offensive production!!
The host Cougars trailing 7-0 in the 3rd quarter, Alvarez would even the scoreboard in the blink of an eye when off of a HB draw, he found a hole up the gut and turned on “ludicrous speed” on his way to a 46-yard cruise to payday!
The score still deadlocked at 7 in the 4th, this time it was Alvarez showing off his skillset as an option in the vertical game, and he beat his man around the corner on a wheel route and was in perfect position when junior QB, Kevin Pilewski, hit him over the shoulder in open field, allowing him to sprint the remainder of the 78 yards to the house for what would be the eventual game-winning tally!!!…
Alvarez later polished off the first 3TD game of his scholastic storybook when he banged his way up the middle for a 3-yarder for an insurance touchdown in the waning minutes of duration!
Always the dutiful defender, he contributed 4 stops (3 solo) and a pair of pass break-ups to an SJB ensemble that held the Knights to their lowest point total all season (entered averaging 31.6/per) and limited them to just 221 yards of total offense (nearly 150 less than the 372 they were averaging)!!!
Having run for a touchdown in four straight games (currently riding a streaking of three 2TD games in a row), Alvarez heads into week #7 with a stat line that reads as follows: 60 carries for 588 yards and 7 TDs…