#1 St. Joseph’s by the Sea (10-2) vs. #2 St. Peter’s Boys (10-2)
When: Friday November 22nd, 2024 @6pm
Where: Monsignor Farrell High School (2900 Amboy Rd, Staten Island, NY 10306)
Previous Meeting: 22-19 St. Peter’s Victory on September 7th (Week #1)
Watch (Online): LocalLive
Players to Watch (St. Joe’s by The Sea)
*Christian Carter (So; QB)—Had completed 86-of-138 pass attempts (62.3%) for 1,182 yards and 11 touchdowns; while adding an additional four scores on the ground during the regular season…Hit on 10 of 20 throws for 143 yards and 1 TD during the week #1 meeting!
*Thomas DiGregorio (Sr.; RB/LB)—A workhorse in the backfield for the Vikings, the senior RB has already run for five touchdowns in the postseason (3 in the quarters; 2 in the semis) to increase his senior total to 14….Thru the quarterfinal round, he had a fall ‘24 stat line that read as follows: 1,178 yards on 171 carries; 163 yards on 11 grabs…When he faced off against the Eagles at the onset of the year, he notched a century mark performance, rushing for 121 yards and a TD on 14 carries!
*Anthony Lavezzoli (Sr.; WR/DB)—Listed as a wide-out, but more instrumental as a secondary rushing option, the #4 jersey had gains of 426 yards and scored six touchdowns on 50 carries up through the AA-1 quarterfinal round…In addition, he happens to be one of the most active players on “D”, as he had been credited with 75 stops, 4 TFLs, 4 pass break-ups, 1 sack, and 1 INT heading into last weekend’s semifinal contest…When he faced-off with STP earlier in the week, he made his presence known on both sides of the ball, racking up a season-high 15 stops, while also scoring a TD on the ground (9 yards on 2 attempts)!
*Christian Yue (Jr.; WR)—The most dangerous target in the aerial attack, the 5’8, 145-pound 11th grader ranks 2nd on the team in total receptions (18 for 308 yards); but he catches are the kind that inflict damage as he has hauled in six touchdowns this season…He has limited to a single snatch for 14 yards during week #1
*Damian Aviles (Sr.; WR/DB)—If the ball is not finding its way into the hands of Yue; then it probably means that Aviles is the one on the back-end instead…The program leader in both cumulative grabs (24) and receiving yardage (318), he is overdue for a TD (just 1 scoring catch) and the title game would be the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted with the end zone…His ball hawking skills have also been evident on “D”, as he holds the team lead with 4 interceptions to go along with 24 stops and a pair of PDs!!!…During week #1, he registered 6 catches for 77 yards on one side of the ball; while making 3 stops on the other side!
*Dean Coscia (Sr.; LB/FB)—Fresh off of being named as NYCHSFL POTW in recognition of outstanding semifinal appearance in which he amassed 18 total tackles and wreaked havoc for 48 minutes; Coscia heads to the ‘ship as the team’s leader with 85 cumulative stops this season, while also ranking high on the totem pole with 9 TFLs…Prior to unstoppable contribution to help the Vikings reach the title game, his previous season-high for tackles in a game was the 9 he registered against St. Peter’s!…Is also a ferocious blocker on the running attack
*Joe Solla (Sr.; LB)—The other senior leader among the LB corps, the 200-pound Staten Islander should never be overlooked or taken for granted; you very much see his #41 flash to the ball with reckless abandon, as demonstrated by a body of work that through the quarterfinal round translated as 61 tackles (5 stops for negative yardage) and 5 pass break-ups…He was active in the loss to the Eagles, recording 8 tackles in week #1
*Luigi Biondolillo (Sr.; DB)—Recording his fourth interception of the season (to go along with 4 PDs in ‘24) in the semifinal win over Fordham Prep, the #1 jersey has shown himself to be a full-fledged, do-everything defensive back, as illustrated by his willingness to embrace contact in the form of 51 tackles thru the quarterfinal round!…Biondolillo emerged with a season-best 11 stops in week #1 against the Eagles
*John Munson (Sr.;DL)—The last person that STP finds to see if they are forced to turn to their passing game, #54 can bring the heat like no other among the SJS linemen, as proven by his team-leading totals of 9 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, and 13 QB hurries (not to mention 34 total tackles) up through the championship round of….Against a run-heavy scheme, Munson’s effectiveness was negated slightly in week #1; but he was still visible by earning 5 stops!
*Marco Domante (Sr.; DL)—Undersized, but makes up for it with supreme athleticism, Domante is another Vikings that has a knack for invading the opposing backfield!!…Through the quarterfinal round, he trailed only his teammate, Munson, in terms of sacks (4) and hurries (11), and TFLs (7). In total, he has been in on 18 stops….He will come into the finale with a chip on his shoulder as he was shutout in the box score with the exception of a pair of hurries!!
*Joseph Moran (So.; LB)—The super sophomore was front-and-center for the ultimate momentum altering play in the semifinals, as he bounced on a loose ball and returned the fumble all the way to the promised land to spark a 21-0 run in the victory over the visiting Rams…His versatility from the “backer” position cannot be denied as looking at the stat sheet, he checks off just about every possible box…While not topping the charts in any one specific category, he ability to do a little of everything has yielded the following numbers: 29 tackles, 6 stops for negative yardage, 3.5 sacks, 6 QB hurries, and a pair of INTs!!…In the week #1 loss, he emerged with 2 tackles and a sack!…His offensive numbers this season not nearly pronounced (5 receptions in total); he would be on the back-end of a 35-yard TD reception versus the Eagles; so be alert to him being called upon to assume a more involved role in this regard!
Players to Watch (St. Peter’s)
*Marco Aruta (Sr.; QB/RB/WR)—The “Universal weapon” for the STP offense, 5’11, 190-pounder out of Staten Island would benefit from a few more heads to fit all the hats he has worn for the Eagles….Racking up 10 (!!!!!) touchdowns in two playoff games thus far, the returning All-Catholic selection has boosted his swan song stat line to the following: 59-for-110 (720 yards; 3 TDs) in the air; 855 yards/15 touchdowns on 116 carries; 13 receptions for 218 yards and an additional 3 scores as a pass-catcher…During week #1, Aruta would combine to generate 89 yards of total offense, as he connected on 4-of-6 throwing for 33 yards, while also rushing for 56 yards (2 TDs) on 10 carries….But alas, he is an entirely different bird now than he was during this previous meeting; so expect anything and everything to be on the table!
*Jeremiah Williams (Sr.; RB)—The reigning AA-1 Offensive Player of the Year; Williams has even better in his senior year, as demonstrated by the fact by the 1,713 yards and 16 touchdowns he has amassed on 277 attempts (6.2/per)…Held under 100 yards just twice this season (both times by AAA opponents), when he squared off with the Vikings at the beginning of the fall, he went off for 190 yards and one score on 29 carries. He is capable of doing even more as shown when he rushed for 282 and 3 versus Holy Trinity….Don’t sleep on him as a pass-catcher out of the backfield either, as he has made 17 grabs for 209 yards and a TD in this capacity!
*Ryan Vallely (Sr.; QB)—The decision to use Aruta as a “flex” player instead just as a traditional QB created opportunities for his fellow senior signal caller; and Vallely has capitalized off of being afforded these chances….Entering the finale having completed 9-of-16 passes for 233 yards and a TD trifecta in the two playoff wins; Vallely is proof that anyone who thinks the Eagles are a one-dimensional team on offense is sadly mistaken!!…For the year, he was contributed 598 yards and eight TD passes to the effort while connecting at a 61% rate (31-of-51)…He did not play in the first meeting; so his presence only further adds to the confidence level felt by STP!
*Brandon Weinberg (Sr.; WR)—Whether it is Aruta or Vallely dropping back to pass; the one constant in the equation is that the favorite target on the other end of the exchange is always going to be the S.I. resident donning the #10 jersey….Sweeping all receiving categories on the Eagle roster, the senior has hauled in 28 catches for 477 yards and 3 touchdowns…In the triumph at the expense of SJS, he made 2 catches for 25 yards!
*Saliou Diokhane (Sr.; WR)—Yet another deep ball threat, the 6’3 wide-out is averaging a Eagle-best 17.3 yards per reception (just slightly higher than Weinberg’s 17.0), as he has accumulated 15 snatches for 259 yards and 3 TDs of his own…The wearer of the #1 shirt made an 8-yard catch in week #1
*Cosmo D’Amelio (Sr.; LB)—About as active a MIKE LB as you will find anywhere in NYS, the 220-pound senior should surpass the 100 tackle milestone in the finale as he enters having made 94 stops, including 13 that resulted in negative yardage…In addition to the 17 total tackles he has made in two postseason wins, D’Amelio steps onto the field at Monsignor Farrell riding a two-game sack streak…During week #1, he logged 9 tackles and picked off his only pass of 2024!!
*Gregory Ajose-Martinez (Sr.; OLB)—Chasing his aforementioned for the team-lead in stops (93) and TFLs (10), the 180-pound outside backer earned 5 stops (1 TFL) during round #1 of this All-SI clash!
*Nicholas Gnerre (Jr.; LB)—The embarrassment of riches among the Eagle LBs continues to the “youngster of the group”….His finest showing of his 11th grade campaign actually occurring in week #1 against the Vikings, Gnerre racked up season-highs of 10 stops and 3 TFLs while also adding a sack…For the year, he heads to the ‘ship with the following numbers: 76 tackles (10 TFL), 2 sacks, 4 pass break-ups!
*Brody Turnbull (Sr.; DB)—Putting the “Bull” into his last name, the senior D-Back plays North-South caliber football, as he has illustrated from start to the finish of the year to the tune of 74 tackles (7 for negative yardage) and 5 sacks…Turnbull posted a 4-stop, 1-PD performance during the victory over SJS!
*Nicholas Scolaro (Sr.; CB)—A blanket and/or shutdown presence along the last line of defense, the 5’9, 170-pounder plays bigger than his frame, as he has no hesitation when it comes to mixing it up….Ranking in the top-5 of a multitude of categories among Eagle personnel, his 20 pass breaks-ups especially stand out; but the 72 tackles (8 TFLs) and 2 INTs are not too shabby either…Scolaro was credited with 5 stops (2 TFL) and a PD on September 7th!
*Benjamin Lopez (Sr.; LB)—Regular as rain, the senior LB has racked up 4 or more tackles in every appearance he has made this season…The owner of a season stat line that reads as follows: 65 tackles (5 for negative yardage) and an INT, the gent in the #4 jersey made 5 stops (1 TFL) during week #1!
*Justin Ramos (Sr,; FS)—The “center fielder” of the secondary, Ramos certainly has the pass defense skills you seek (9 pass break-ups, 1 INT); but he is not shy about getting dirty either, as he has amassed 59 tackles (4 stops for minus yardage)…Ramos made 5 tackles and had a PD during the win over SJS!
*Christopher Badon (Fr.; DL)—A future LOY/DPOY candidate, the fab frosh has shined in his rookie season for the Eagles, accumulating 58 tackles (9 TFL) and 3 sacks…In the week #1 match-up versus Joe’s by the Sea, he earned 5 tackles (1 TFL)…Badon is fresh off of perhaps his most complete game of the year, as was credited with 7 tackles/2 TFL in the knocking off Moore Catholic!
*Angelo Negrette (Sr.; DE)—Speaking of riding a wave of momentum, the 225-pound DE for the Eagles garnered Player of the Week distinction following an 8-tackle/5-sack outing in the semifinal victory over the Mavericks…Raising his season totals to 56 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 5 sacks, slowing down a player who is in a zone is feat easier said than done…His contribution to the week #1 win was 6 stops!
Mini Synopsis
A back-and-forth contest that witnessed a tie and two lead changes; the dub was very much up for grabs until 2023 All-Catholic selection, Marco Aruta, scored his second touchdown of the game on a 5-yard QB keeper (and then converted the 2-pointer on a pass to Brandon Weinberg) to turn a 14-13 lead into a 22-13 advantage with a little over 5:00 to go in regulation!!!
To the credit of St. Joe’s by the Sea, they would respond in quick fashion, cutting the deficit to 22-19 on a 35-yard connection between Christian Carter and Joseph Moran; and were mounting an 11th-hour drive to try to steal the victory; but ultimately fell short when their home run ball attempt on 4th down was defended to create a turnover on downs with under 1:00 remaining in the 4th quarter…
Since tasting defeat in Round #1 of this all-Staten Island clash for bragging rights and trophies, SJS has compiled a 9-1 record (seven wins in a row) and avenged their only other blemish of 2024 last weekend when they flipped a 13-0 loss to Fordham Prep into a 21-16 triumph!!
On the other sideline, St. Peter’s may be considered the #2 seed on paper; but it is hard to predict against them when you consider that the only losses that they have sustained this year were to triple-A opponents by respectable scores of 14-7 (Kellenberg) and 14-3 (Monsignor Farrell)!!
Both teams being immensely capable on each side of the line of scrimmage; despite the relatively low-scoring affair on September 7th; our feeling is that if you are STP (averaging 28.1 ppg; have scored 31 or more in their last four outings), you would welcome a shootout since you tout not only the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Jeremiah Williams; but also have a darn fine #2 option in the person of “Swiss Army Knife”, Aruta….Combined, the dynamic duo have chewed up 2,568 yards and scored 31 touchdowns on the ground!!!
The top-seeded Vikings on the other hand are confident that they can/will get their points from the likes of Thomas DiGregorio (already has 5 postseason rushing scores); but would much rather ride a defensive wave that has seen them surrender just over 10 points per game (10.7), including pitching three shutouts and holding nine of their 12 foes to 14 of less!!
Blessed pretty much at every level of their “D”, names such as Dean Coscia, Joe Solla, John Munson, Marco Domante, and Joseph Moran will be tasked with winning their match-ups in the front-7 in order to contain a ground attack that has looked unstoppable at times during the year!!
Both programs stepping onto the field on South Amboy Road with motivation as the Vikings attempt to hoist hardware for the first-time ever; while the Eagles are trying to snap 15-year drought; the verdict will come down which school is able to impose their will…
If Williams and Aruta go nuts with their legs; then it could be a long day for Joe’s by the Sea!