Brendan Barkley (So.); RB/LB – Kellenberg Memorial Firebirds
Death, taxes, and Kellenberg siblings dominating on the football field…These are the quintessential guarantees in the game of life!!
Whether it be O’Toole, Sluka, DeLucia, the Page twins, Mongelli, and so forth; there is a rich tradition of brotherly excellence that has become the trademark of the Firebird football program…
And as of week #4 of the 2025 campaign; we can add the Barkley family name to the history!!!
One of only two sophomores to earn the call-up to the big club the year, the 5’10, 185-pound Long Islander [Barkley] has enjoyed an almost seamless learning curve in stepping in to be the successor in the KMHS offensive backfield to older brother, Jack!
The Blue & Gold’s 1-4 record not at all indicative of how much the #22 shirted 10th grader has excelled in his rookie season as a two-way starter; it was fitting that on an afternoon where Barkley shined; the team too was able to jump into the win column behind a 14-10 triumph against St. John the Baptist!!
Responsible for both of the Firebirds touchdowns (each in the 4th quarter) this past Saturday in a back-and-forth clash of Nassau vs. Suffolk; Barkley turned a 3-0 deficit into a 7-3 lead less than 1:00 into the final stanza when he took the hand-off up the gut and punched-in from 8-yards out…
Now trailing 10-7; the sensational sophomore answered the call to duty yet again, as runs of 17 and 15 yards helped move the ball inside the Cougar red zone; and then as the clock dipped below 2:00 remaining in regulation; he cashed in on the 1-yard draw to put the Uniondale based school back in front, 14-10!!!
Concluding the day having banked his second career 100+-yard rushing game; Barkley chewed up 101 yards on 19 carries (just 16 yards short of tying the 117 he gained in week #0 versus Immaculata)!!
Sure to have bragging rights at the Thanksgiving table next month; Brendan’s 352 yards and three scores thus far are already equal (needs 7 to match) or superior (3 TDs to 1) to big brother’s 2024 contributions…
Tacking on three defensive spots from the OLB position and applauded by Head Coach, Eric Meisse, for never taking a snap off (logged over 100 plays); it was quite the compliment when it was stated that like a true warrior, “Barkley actually grew stronger the deeper into the game he went”…
Julani Graham (Sr.); LB – Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders
When the 6’0, 185-pound multi-sport superstar arrived on the White Plains campus last March; it was understood from the get-go that Graham was destined to be an instant impact presence on both the gridiron and the wrestling mat for the Crusaders…
A 1,600 yard-rusher (25 TDs), as well as 2025 NYSPHSAA DI State 6th place finish wrestler as an 11th grader for Middletown HS during 2024-2025; his new surroundings have only been met by a continuation of the same “beastly” body of work!!!
Asserting himself immediately into a role of foundational piece among the linebacking corps; “One-and-Done” might be all it takes for Graham to leave a lasting impression on the Metro Catholic League….
An absolute tackling machine that has racked up double-digit stops in three of five appearances thus far in his senior year; the bandit in the #11 jersey was customarily the most active man on the field on the night of September 26th in helping Stepinac to a hard fought 24-17 victory over defending AA-1 champs, St. Joseph’s by the Sea!!
Stockpiling 12 total tackles (6 solo, 6 assisted); Graham raised his NYCHSFL leading sum to 54 this season (top-10 in NYS), as his heroics in week #4 came on the heels of respective 17-stop and 12-stop showings in a week 1 win over Central Catholic (MA) and a week #3 loss to Chaminade!
Doing his share of the hitting and then some as part of a collective effort that held the Vikings (entered averaging just under 140 yards per game) to a mere 47 yards and zero touchdowns on the ground…
Should Graham be able to sustain this torrid pace of being unblockable for the rest of 2025; he will without question be a serious candidate to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Austin Taps (2011), Gavin Heslop (2014), Dan Negron (2015), Gene Brown (2016), Trill Williams (2017), Kevin McKenna (2019), and Deonte Douglas (2023) as recipient of the O’Connor Trophy (Top Defensive Player in the League)!!
Robert Milacci (Sr.); LB – Xavier Knights
You know you did something special when on a day in which your offense generated close to 350 yards and scored three touchdowns on the ground; it is for you whom the coaching staff is singing praises….
Such was the week #4 story of the 6’0, 215-pound senior ‘backer from Manhattan [Milacci]!!!
Impossible to overlook in Xavier’s 29-22 road win against NJ based prep school, Pingy, by end of the September 27th affair; there were few, if any, boxes left unchecked on #20’s personal stat sheet!
Establishing single-game career-bests across the board; the NCAA DI Rugby recruit notched 12 total stops (two more than his previous high of 10 during week #0 win against Indian Hills), 3 TFLs, a pair of sacks, 2 QB hurries, and a pass deflection to be an utter menace for every second of the 48-minute cross-state battle!!
Through five outings this season for the 4-1 Knights; the captain has either already surpassed or is on the verge of exceeding the entirety of his junior bullet points, as his 46 tackles represents a +9 increase from 2024; his six TFLs are .5 short of his junior quantity, and the two QB bags is .5 more than a year ago!!
Milacci is a first-time Player of the Week nominee; but with his school looking like the possible “team to beat” in the AA-1 Metro Classification; there is sure to be ample opportunity to add to his credentials during the remainder of his “last hurrah”!!
Chace Navarro (Jr.); CB/WR – St. Peter’s Eagles
On any given day; “David” can arise and slay “Goliath”!!!
Heading into the week #4 collision between the returning AA-1 runner-up Eagles and 2024 Triple-A semifinalists, Chaminade; not many of the pundits and/or so-called experts gave the visitors from Staten Island much of a chance at pulling the upset….
Entering the afternoon of September 27th sporting a modest 1-3 record and dealing with injuries at some key positions; St. Peter’s knew that they had to play inspired football; and no one seemed to be motivated to earn the “w” than the junior defensive back wearing the #11 jersey [Navarro] during the 20-7 triumph!
The perputator of a “No Fly Zone” that contained the Flyer passing game; of the few incompletions tossed by CHS junior QB, Sean Carnevale; it was Navarro being the central disrupting force on four of them (3 PDs and an INT)…
A catalyst for inducing changes of possession all day; on two separate occasions during the 1st half; Navarro would create 3rd & long or 4th down scenarios; as he had an open-field tackle in the last 1:20 of the 1Q to force Chaminade to kick it away; and then midway through the 2nd; he tallied a TFL and then a pass break-up on consecutive snaps to stifle the Flyer drive just short of midfield!
As good as he was during the 1st half [14-7 SP advantage at the break]; nothing would top the game-clinching sequences he registered down the stretch; as he would step in front of a Chaminade screen pass for the interception and then sprinted 70 yards untouched to the house for the pick-6 that increased the margin to 20-7 with 7:22 to go in regulation…
The “quick 6” was the second INT returned for a TD this year for Navarro, as he previously did the deed in a week #1 triumph over Joe’s by the Sea!
Those dependable mitts came in handy yet again in the final 2:45 of regulation when on a fake punt, the ball was dumped off to Navarro for a 37-gainer that would have been an easy TD had the 11th grader not displayed the poise and selflessness to give himself up at the CHS 3-yard line; thus allowing the Eagles to transition to victory formation shortly thereafter!!
A first-time POTW nominee; Navarro may have just saved the STP season as this conquest is sure to light a fire under the cohort and provide a wealth of momentum for the latter part of the fall!!
Rocco Petronella (Sr.); WR – St. Francis Prep Terriers
One of the most prolific receivers in the AA-1 as a junior (ranked in the top-5 of every category with 34 receptions for 688 yards and 8 touchdown grabs); the inhabitant of Middle Village has witnessed his symbiotic relationship with Terrier field general, Jack Leary, grow stronger during each subsequent season in which they have partnered as the 1-2 punch in the Francis Prep sky spectacle!!!
On pace to establish new highs for total receptions and yardage in his final year wearing the SFP colors; the 6’1, 178-pounder may not have found the end zone during week #4; but his game-highs of 5-snatches for 103 yards was one of the many reason why the “Dogs” went wire-to-wire on their way to a 24-14 victory on hostile soil against the Rams of Fordham Prep!
His outstanding player irreplaceable in helping his school snap a 9-game losing streak versus FP that dated back to the 2015 campaign; the sure-handed gem in the #12 shirt refused to be kept out of the box score; as he’d be on the back-end of a 2pt conversion (following a 49-yard TD run by Sean Ibert) to increase the Terrier cushion to 21-7 in the 3rd Quarter!
During the opening 24 minutes of play, he’d register a pair of 30+ yard hauls to create scoring opportunities; but an ill-timed INT (in the red zone) on one drive and a missed FG in the waning seconds of the 2nd quarter prevented the gents from Fresh Meadows from pulling away (went into halftime up 13-7)!!
The first century-mark receiving performance of the current season and the fifth overall during his varsity stint; “Petro” increased his aggregate swan song numbers to 16 catches for 234 yards…
As suggested previously; with at least four remaining contests plus what is shaping up to be a promising playoff run; there is every reason to expect him to rewrite his personal record book before he hangs up the scholastic cleats!!
Making his second career appearance on the POTW list; Petronella garnered the honors during week #6 of 2024!!!
Brennen Pressley (Sr.); LB – Iona Prep Gaels
First and last day of classes…Yearbook photos…Graduation…Prom….And especially Homecoming!!
These are the staple moments that are formed in the hearts and minds of every high school senior; and for the four-year Gael varsity standout [Pressley]; he more than guaranteed that when he reflects upon his final HOCO as a student-athlete Iona Prep; those memories are going to be epic!!!
His reputation as one of the most ferocious and reliable hitters in the entire Empire State well established heading into his swan song donning the Maroon & Gold; there is little debate that had the 5’10, 195-pounder been blessed with a few more inches of height; he’d be attracting immense DI power-5 interest…
His tenacity unrivaled; watching game-film on him often resembles a “car crash” in the way in which he naturally explodes on impact and destroys everything that gets in his path!!!
The #2 jersey’s presence and leadership from the linebacker position a major factor in why the #1 ranked (in NYS) Gaels are allowing only 7ppg in their three contests versus fellow New York opponents; he certainly delivered the boom last Saturday afternoon as IP held their guests from Cardinal Hayes, scoreless for the first three quarters (before allowing a few TDs with reserves in) en route to a 42-14 triumph that raised their Fall 2025 record to an unblemished 4-0!!
Credited with 10 total stops (2 TFLs), including a sack in week #4; Pressley has now been honored by the NYCHSFL on three separate occasions in his last seven appearances….He previously earned back-to-back accolades during the 2024 postseason when he was POTW nominee during the semifinal round; and then complemented it by garnering Defensive MVP status during the “AAA” finale!!
As noted last season; the mark of a true legend is the ability to elevate one’s team…And in the case of Pressley; all signs seem to suggest that with him commanding the “D”; a fourth straight bid to Championship week (Runners-up in ‘22 and ‘23) seems inevitable for the Gaels!
Jahkari Silva (Sr.); RB/LB – Cardinal Spellman Pilots
It was “Hammer Time” in the Bronx this past Saturday afternoon as the host Pilots picked up their first win of the fall behind a 32-20 victory over St. Dominic’s!!
In need of a spark after getting shut out in their first three outings of 2025; the Spellman coaching staff knew exactly whom to entrust to reverse their fortunes; as there has been no finer a player in the Red/White the past three years than the 5’11, 200-pound, Mamaroneck resident [Silva]!
Twice named to the All-Catholic Defensive Team and well on his way to a third consecutive inclusion; the reigning team MVP could not have been any more “valuable” in all capacities in willing the Pilots to the victory!!
On offense, Silva would be unstoppable as a ball-carrier; as he accrued a sum of 151 yards (11 carries) and scored one touchdown while being a catalyst for several of the other CS scores!!
Switching sides of the field to his forte as a “stopper”, he’d be relentless in tormenting the Bayhawks, as three of his seven total tackles resulted in a loss of yardage, as he bagged the opposing QB on three separate occasions to never allow the Oyster Bay based rivals from finding a moment of peace!!!
Surprisingly; despite being a 2x All-League pick (as acknowledged above); Silva is now officially a first-time POTW nominee!!!
Anthony Vento (Jr.); S/RB – Monsignor Farrell Lions
Like a true “King of the Jungle”, the 5’8, 175-pounder feared no foe, including Friars, last Friday night as he was instrumental on both sides of the ball in spearheading Monsignor Farrell to a 21-20 road victory over returning Triple-A runners-up, St. Anthony’s!!!
The win for the Lions being just the second earned in the past 20 years against their South Huntington based adversaries (also won the 2023 meeting); Vento was instrumental on both sides of the line; but it would be his “career” day from the defensive backfield that especially stood out and demanded commendation!!!!
Pitted against an STA juggernaut that was fresh off of a 48pt output in a win over Kellenberg and had been held to 20 or less points just once since the start of 2022 versus NYCHSFL opponents; Vento was a primarily factor in why the Maroon & Gold “D” was able to limit 4-star Friars’ tailback, Xavier Bala (offers from several top-20 ranked, power-5 programs) to just 100 yards on the ground; while simultaneously containing the aerial attack to just 151 yards…
Fully committed to any/every assignment given to him; from just skimming the game-film, the pattern that emerged was the sight of #22 repeatedly flying downhill to make a tackle…
On the first series of the evening; it was his stop on 3rd and 4 that eventually led to a turnover on downs just outside of the MF red zone….
Late in the 1Q, he charged from his FS spot and stonewalled Bala for no gain to bring up 3rd & 10 on a stand that generated a punt which set up a shortened field (approximately mid-field) for the offense…The Lions scored on the ensuing possession to go up 7-0 early in the 2nd quarter!
Like deja vu, after Farrell scored on the initial march of 2nd half (to make the score 21-7 in their favor); it was Vento laying another hat on Bala during the opening 4:00 of the 3Q to create another 3rd & scenario that ultimately laid the tracks for a Friar punt!!!
All in all, when the dust had cleared; Vento had set a new single-game best with 10 total tackles (8 solo) to top all Farrell defenders in the category…
As an added bonus, Coach Del Priore spotlighted him on offense, as he’d move the chains and exhaust clock twice in the 2nd half as part of a 4-carry, 35-yard evening!
The Amboy Road “pride” raising their record to 4-1 overall (2-0 versus Metro Catholic nemeses); at this early stage of 2025; they seem to be in great shape to be secure a top-2 seed in the postseason!
Ian Williams (Sr.); QB/DB – Holy Trinity Titans
A Swiss-Army knife weapon on both sides of the line of scrimmage for the Titans; when the fall began; it was believed that the senior out of Queens was likely going to be the one on the receiving end of passes…
But alas, after delivering a splendid showing as a dual-threat field general in Holy Trinity’s 26-19 victory over Mount St. Michael Academy last Saturday afternoon; the “Green Machine” seemingly has found the “pulse” needed to transform the 2025 campaign…
The third individual this season tasked with the responsibility of running the offense; the 5’11, 185-pounder proved lethal with all of his limbs, as he amassed 198 yards of total production, while also personally accounting for three of the program’s four total touchdowns as part of the dub on the road!!!
Balanced in the damage he inflicted on the Mountaineers during week #4; the perennial honor roll student-athlete (3.6 GPA) would connect on six of 11 throws for 106 yards (1TD); and equally effective as a ball-carrier, as his 12 carries netted an additional 92 yards and two more scores!!!
Embracing this role as the conductor, Williams did not have to wait long to make his impact felt; as he punctuated a successful opening drive when he faked the hand-off and then turned the corner to parade 25 yards to paydirt to give HT the immediate 8-0 lead (also ran in the 2pt conversion) less than 4:00 into the 1st quarter…
That cushion grew to 14-0 one series later as Williams hit Marcus Abellard with a 29-yard strike to advance the ball from his own 37 to the opposing 34 before peeling off a 15-yard run on the next snap to move the Titans inside the MSM red zone….Danny Burgin III put the finishing touches on the march when he muscled his way (stayed on his feet after initial contact) to the house on a 19-yarder shortly thereafter with just over 1:30 to go in 1Q!!
A rally (19 unanswered points) by the Mount during the 2nd and 3rd quarters enabling them to jump in front,19-14; Williams responded by doing his best Patrick Mahomes impression during the final 7:57 of the 3Q….
On the ensuing drive following the MSM go-ahead TD; William threw a laser over the middle to sophomore receiver, Joseph Henn, for the 52-yard touchdown completion that instantly restored the HT advantage (20-19; 4:41 before the end of the third quarter) ….
Insurance (26-19) took the form of a 1-yard QB sneak as the clock dipped below 1:00 in the 3Q as Williams capped off the collective 55-yard hike down field that was set up by an Eric Hayes INT on his own 45 minutes earlier….On the play prior to the short TD plunge; Williams recorded a 27-yard gain to put himself/his school on the doorstep!!!
His offensive exploits alone making him a surefire POTW selection; like the Energizer bunny; Williams somehow found the juice to contribute on “D” as well; as it was over-the-shoulder interception on the HT 5-yard line in the ultimate 6:00 of action that halted MSM’s most promising attempt at stealing the victory!
Williams is making his Player of the Week debut today!