AA-1 QUARTERFINALS
#2 Xavier (7-2) vs. #7 Kellenberg Memorial (1-8)
When: Saturday November 8th, 2025 @7:30pm
Where: Aviator Sports Complex (3159 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11234)
Watch (Online): HUDL
Players to Watch (Xavier)
*Peter Heaney (Sr.; QB)—The top rusher in the AA-1 classification from under center; the 12th grader is averaging just under 7 yards per carry and just 53 yards short of reaching the 1,000 milestone for the year (947 on 140 carries). His 9 TDs runs also land him atop the charts….While not the strong part of his repertoire, the Brooklyn resident is a capable passer, as he has hurled for 256 yards and 4 touchdowns this season!
*Elijah Stewart (Sr.; RB/DB)—Operating on both sides of the line of scrimmage; Stewart has not received the fanfare he deserves this season because of the outstanding credentials of his teammates…But make no mistakes about it; he is invaluable in the Knights’ title hopes!…..Part of a senior RB by committee; the 5’10, 170-pounder has gains of 490 yards and six touchdowns this season on 75 carries (6.5/per)…Defensively, he ranks fourth on the team with 36 total tackles, and is 3rd with four successful pass break-ups!
Riley McLaughlin (Sr.; RB)—Adding more power to the lethal Xavier ground attack is the 200-pounder out of Brooklyn…Taking the handoff on 72 different occasions, McLaughlin has netted 450 yards and found the end zone 8 times!
*Tyler Buono (Sr;. RB)—Completing the four-headed monster out of the backfield is the 150-pounder, Buono…Bringing that lightning in a bottle element with him, he has been the most explosive of the Knight ball-carriers, as he boasts an average of 9ypc to enter the postseason with a sum of 413 yards (2 touchdowns) on a mere 46 attempts!
*Robert Milacci (Sr.; LB)—Currently 2nd among AA-1 personnel with 63 total stops (9 TFLs); the Manhattanite is as well-rounded as they come; as he has also registered 4 sacks, 2 INTs, and 5 pass break-ups
*Brady Metzger (Sr.; LB)—Further solidifying the LB corps is the 192-pound 12th grader who has recorded 43 stops (3.5 TFLs) and a pair of sacks this fall!
*James Halpin (Sr.; DL)—Out of the line-up for the past few weeks; we are not sure of his availability this weekend; but when he does play, he is a definitive disruptor as showcased in the form of a 5.5 TFLs and 3 sacks to go along with 19 total stops!
*Ryan Lavin (So.; DB)—The young pup on an otherwise very experienced defensive unit; the super sophomore brings hustle on every day; which has resulted in him amassing 7.5 TFLs (40 total stops), as well as an INT and a pair of pass break-ups!
*Ace Jernstedt (Jr.; DB)—When your name is “Ace”; there is an expectation; and thus far he has lived up to the name as the 11th grader is tied for the team-lead with 5 pass breaks-ups, while also accruing 34 tackles and an INT!
Players to Watch (Kellenberg Memorial)
*Daniel Licari (Sr.; QB)—Second among AA-1 field generals in total passing yards; the Long Islander has is connecting at a 57.4% success rate (116-for-202) for sums of 1,298 yards and 8 TD tosses
*Brendan Barkley (So.; RB)—Leaving no doubt that he is one of the future stars of the NYCHSFL; the multi-sport student-athlete (also an accomplished wrestler) has put forth an extraordinary effort in his rookie year on varsity….Posting team-highs with 583 yards and 3 TDs on the ground in 2025; we are only seeing the beginning of what he has instore during the next 2.5 seasons!
*Jaden McLeod (Jr.; RB)—Giving the ‘Birds another reliable option out of the backfield; the 200-pound Freeport native has averaged 5.2 per carry en route to racking up 372 yards this season (71 attempts)
*Ryan Kuntz (Jr.; WR)—One of three primary targets in the sky attack for the Blue & Gold; Kuntz’s 37 total grabs this year tops the entire NYCHSFL….The only thing missing from his vitae being some touchdowns; if he can find a way to transform his catches into points, he could be a difference-maker!
*Brandon McCabe (Jr.; WR)—The TD catch King in Uniondale; the 11th grader has hauled in 5 touchdown passes to go along with 31 total receptions for 276 yards!
*John Hastings (Sr.; WR)—The “Homerun Hitter” and/or deep threat among the wide-out trio; the senior classman leads the cohort with 459 yards, while ranking just behind McCabe with 4 TD snatches…All in all, he has 28 total catches!
*Joseph Mullin (Jr.; LB)—3rd in AA-1 with 59 stops, the Wantagh resident is accustomed to being one of the most active players on the field at all times
*Chris Biondi (Jr.; DL)—With the opposing Knights expected to incorporate a heavy dose of run; it will be imperative that KMHS has a player capable of invading the backfield and making quick tackles…And the 11th grader is that guy for this “D”, as displayed through a body of work that features 6 TFLs and 3 sacks among his 35 total tackles!
*Mark Chernaski (Sr.; S)—Second on the roster with 43 tackles; if there are any jailbreaks from Knight runners this weekend; you can count on the Merrick resident to apply a potentially TD-saving hit!
Mini Synopsis/Last time they Met
A 28-7 outcome when the two squads battled in early-September; it was Heaney stealing the show, as he garnered POTW distinction after rushing for 102 yards and three touchdowns to deliver the “w” to Xavier….
Heaney’s exploits part of an even grander afternoon on land for the Knights; combined, the team chewed up 302 yards, with Buono going off for 84 (5 carries), McLaughlin gaining 71 and scoring a TD (17 attempts), and Stewart getting into the mix with a 44 on 8 handoff performance!
An INT and two pass break-ups from Stewart aiding the defense; kudos also had to be extended to individuals like Milacci (8 tackles), Lavin (7 stops, 2 TFLs), and Jernstedt (5 tackles, 1 PD)!!
On the other sideline, Licari struggled in the harsh conditions, passing for only 91 yards on 10-of-23…With better circumstances, we fully anticipate a much finer showing…
McCabe was a bright spot, as he logged 5 grabs for 55 yards and was responsible for scoring KMHS’s lone touchdown…
Mullin and Chernaski anchored the defensive by tallying 9 and 8 tackles respectively…Junior DB, Logan Russo also stood out, as he registered both an INT and a pass break-up to complement his 3 stops!
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#3 St. Francis Prep (5-3) vs. #6 Fordham Prep (2-7)
When: Sunday November 9th, 2025 @1pm
Where: Reinhart Field/SUNY Maritime Campus (6 Pennyfield Ave New York, NY 10465)
Players to Watch (St. Francis Prep)
*Jack Leary (Sr.; QB)—An All-Catholic selection a season ago; it goes without saying that that the Beach Channel resident will be repeating that feat in his swan song….Entering the postseason having thrown a AA-1 best 16 touchdown passes this season, Leary is connecting at a 62.6% rate (72-for-115) and is capable of taking over the game at one moment…
*Sean Ibert (Sr.; RB/WR)—A hybrid type player who torments opponents in a variety of ways, the Middle Village native has generated 859 yards and 16 scores of traditional offense….As a running back, he swept all team categories by posting a 397 yard/6 TD season on 46 carries….As a receiver, his 10 TD hauls topped all Terriers, with his 23 cumulative receptions and 462 yards ranking 2nd on the roster…Dangerous on special teams to boot; he has returned a kick to the house this season!
*Rocco Petronella (Sr.; WR)—Leading the AA-1 classification with 537 receiving yards, the 12th grader is 2nd in the league with 33 total snatches and has struck for four touchdowns this fall!
*Anthony Brown (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—Joining his QB as the only other returning All-Catholic honoree from a year ago, the 265-pounder is a master at throwing his weight around, as he is the trend-setter in the trenches for both the OL and DL….In addition to being the one that has kept Leary upright all season; Brown has been a menace on “D”, as he has posted 31 stops (3 TFLs) and 2 sacks!
*Daniel Falodun (Jr.; LB)—Top tackler for the “Dogs” this season with 47 stops!
*Michael Vastarelli (Jr.; LB)—The 164-pounder plays bigger this frame, as suggested by the 26 stop (2 TFL), 1 interception resume he sports!
*Josiah Dodson (Sr.; CB)—Not only effective in pass coverage, but also quite adept as a tackler, of the 33 tackles the senior has recorded, 4 have resulted in a loss of yardage!
*Tanner Gayle (Sr.; DL)—An eraser in the trenches, the St. Albans resident sits atop the team leaderboard with 4 sacks and 6 TFLs….Overall, he has racked up 26 tackles!
*Jack Lalley (Sr.; DE)—Amassing 27 tackles (3 stops for loss) and a sack; Lalley has been imposing in his final season wearing the SFP jersey!
Players to Watch (Fordham Prep)
*Colin Ballantyne (Sr.; QB)—Catching fire at the end of the season; the senior field general really had the pigskin humming in the air down the home stretch…
*Luke McKay (Sr.; RB)—Donning the “22” shirt for the Rams this season; the Rye resident is the primary option on the ground for FP and will be counted on to maintain ball control to slow down the incendiary Terrier offense!
*Mendim Dacaj (Sr; WR)—Establishing himself as a significant TD threat the past three weeks of the regular season; don’t be surprised if you don’t see the inhabitant of the Bronx make multiple trips to the promised land on Sunday….The Rams will need him to be at the top of his game!
*Lake Chiesi (Jr.; WR/DB)—-The leader among returning wide-outs this season; the gent in the #2 shirt has seen his role and/or importance grow as an upperclassmen, as he has been logging major field time on both ends of the line of scrimmage…His athleticism has enabled him to be an asset in all areas of the “D” as he has multiple sacks and TFLs from the last line of defense
*Tommy Gibbons (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—A starter on both sides of the line; there may not be an overall more invested person on the Ram roster…He is a tough hombre and is not going to give an inch either on “O” or “D”!
*Tyler Williams (Sr.; DB)—A poised and experienced presence along the last line of defense, he saw significant time on the field as a junior and has built off of it to become one of the Rams’ most consistent and trusted players!
*Raphael Nero (Jr.; LB)—Impressive whenever we saw tape of him; the Junior LB from New Rochelle has been incredibly active in all facets; the stat sheet listed him among the squad’s top tacklers; and he does bring a degree of balll-hawking abilities as an added bonus!
*David Agyemang (Jr; DL)—Massive in stature (6’4, 240) and impact (one of the leading tacklers and sack men); the 11th grader has the potential to be a game-changer if he can get into the face of the opposing QB and make him uncomfortable!
Mini Synopsis/Last time they Met
The furthest thing from a typical 2 vs. 7 match-up where the higher seed is anticipated to blow the doors off of the opposition; when the two schools previously clashed in late-September; the margin was a fair 10pt difference, as the Terriers utilized a productive opening 24 minutes to build a 21-7 cushion before hanging on for the 24-14 triumph!!
The land attack being more prominent than usual in the win; Ibert (73 yards and 1 TD on 6 carries) was joined by the likes of Michael Varuzzi (71 yards on 5 attempts) and Edward Diaz (54 yards from 14 handoffs) in accounting for 198 of the group’s 258 yards on the ground…
Ibert, who received a POTW nomination, was every bit as commanding as a pass-catcher, as both of his receptions (52 total yards) yielded touchdowns!
Petronella would also be impressive in the win, as he emerged with a 102-yard receiving game (5 grabs)…
Junior PK, Rory Kennedy drilled a 26-yarder in the 2nd half to add insurance!
Falodun (10 tackles), Brown (9 stops, 1 sack), Gayle (8 stops, 3 TFLs, 2 QB bags), and Christian Reyes (7 tackles + a fumble recovery) were the headliners on defense in limiting the Ram offense to just 7 points….
With regard to FP; “D” turned to “O” when Agyemang posted a pick-6 to get his team on the scoreboard…
Ballantyne then hooked up with Adam Hermosura on a 22-yard exchange in the 2nd half to cut the deficit to 21-14!
SFP remains the favorite until proven otherwise; but our gut tells us that this has the makings of a “game of the week” collision!
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AA-1 QUARTERFINALS
#4 St. Peter’s (5-4) vs. #5 St. John the Baptist (5-4)
When: Saturday November 8th, 2025 @1:30pm
Where: St. Peter’s HS (200 Clinton Ave, Staten Island, NY 10301)
Watch (Online): TBD
Players to Watch (St. Peter’s)
*Anthony D’Acunto (Jr.; QB)—One of the breakout stars of the fall; the 11th grader inherited an offense that graduated multiple All-Catholic/All-State players; and yet he still has the Eagles in position to make a deep run at the crown that escaped them in 2024….Tossing for a AA-1 leading 1,527 yards (10 touchdowns), he has connected on 103-of-177 pass attempts (58.2%)…When forced to scramble, he has demonstrated the ability to get on his horse and go, as he has run for an additional 292 yards and three scores on 54 keepers!!!
*Benjamin Terry (So.; RB/WR)—A hybrid/Swiss army knife within the Eagle offense; the sophomore stud comes at you from all angles, as can beat you with his legs (359 yards/3 TDs on 55 carries) or his hands (19 receptions for 160 yards and an additional TD)!….He also has a punt return for the TD; so don’t sleep on him when it comes to special teams!
*Victor Baez (Jr.; WR)—The 6’1, 185-pound junior may wear #0; but he is the exactly opposite of “nothingness” when it comes to the significant role he occupies as the primary target in the aerial attack…Ranked 4th among AA-1 receivers in yardage (441), Baez pulled out a team triple-crown, as his total grabs (29) and TD snatches (6) are also team-bests!!
*Vincenzo Coppola (Sr.; WR/PK)—His excellence as a special teamer (Honorable Mention All-State) already recognized last season; 2025 has afforded the senior from S.I. the opportunity that he quite productive as a traditional offensive weapon as he registered a 23-catch, 374-yard (1TD) regular season as a wide-out…..Despite accepting a larger role, his boot has not suffered as he has gone 19-for-21 on PATs and is a perfect 4-for-4 (long of 36) on FG tries!
*Josiah Jones (So.; WR)—Standing 6’4, the 10th grader is a match-up nightmare for most defensive backs and has effectively use his physical advantages to rack up a 21-catch, 370-yard, 4TD-grab campaign
*Michael Riccardi (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—A true ironman who performs double-duty in the trenches; when he is not blocking for his QB and RBs; the 215-pounder has a knack for knocking down rival ball-carriers as evident by the 15 stops in which he has been credited on “D”
*Giancarlo Ciaramella (So.; LB)—A beast of a performer in a 5’7 package; the sophomore has posted team-highs in total stops (55) and TFLs (13), while also notching 3 sacks!
*Christopher Badon (So; DT)—You can’t spell Badon with the “BAD”…And that is precisely how he plays; with bad intentions….2nd only to the man proceeding him on this list with 10 stops for negative yardage, the 280-pound mountain does hold the team-highs in sacks (5) and QB hurries (13). When #76 is charging at you; it is scary situation!
*Nicholas Gnerre (Sr.; LB)—The senior LB is not too shabby either when it comes to stockpiling negative sequences….Of the 37 tackles he has registered in his final season as an Eagle, 9 have been for a loss of yardage, including 3 QB bags!…For good measure, he also has an INT this year!
*Vincent Damato (Sr.; S)—The first of a pair of staple/highlight reel performers in the defensive backfield for STP; Amato brings both flair and ferociousness to the gridiron as his 2 INTs/6 pass break-ups is evidence of his cover skills; while his 40 stops (3 TFLs) is proof that he is not shy about lays hats on rivals!
*Chase Navarro (Sr.; DB)—We are going to start calling this young man “Primetime”, because time and time again, he has showcased a knack for taking INTs all the way to the house (3 pick-6s this season)…Amassing 5 total interceptions, as well as 4 pass break-ups; it simply is unwise to throw the ball in his direction!
Players to Watch (St. John the Baptist)
*Maurice Scott (Sr.; QB)—The epitome of what it means to be a dual-threat field general; the Calverton resident will most certainly be in the running for AA-1 OPOY honors….Just a handful of rushing yards away from having 1,000/1,000 year with both arm and legs; Scott has produced 20 total touchdowns (12 throwing, 9 rushing)…As a passer, he is hitting at a 57.7% rate, connecting on 82 of 142 attempts for 1,200 yards…Simultaneously, he swept all running categories for the Cougars with the aforementioned 916 yards and 8 scores on just 90 carries (10.2/per)!
*Kalen Percer-Hogue (So.; RB/LB)—Providing his QB with the occasional opportunity to catch his breath is the sophomore from Middle Island…Empowering SJB with a devastating 1-2 punch out of the backfield, he has averaged over 8 yards per carry to amass 567 yards and six scores (68 handoffs)….There being no rest for the wicked; #5 also likes to handle business on the other side of the line, as he has been credited with 16 tackles (3 TFL) and a sack this fall!
*Kevin Peters (Sr.; WR)—The preferred tag-team partner of Scott in 2025; the 12th grader out of Centereach accrued team-highs across the board with 31 receptions for 412 yards and 5 touchdowns!…He too sees action on both sides, with a defensive stat sheet that reads as 12 stops and 3 pass break-ups!
*Jordan Redding (Jr.; TE/LB)—An utterly complete/universal contributor who joins the parade of ironmen for the Cougars; offensively, the 6’0, 220-pounder has served as a secondary pass receiver, with sums of 16 catches for 233 yards and three scores…On “D”, his 30 stops ranks him 4th on the roster and his 4 pass breaks-ups are 2nd among SJB personnel
*Christopher Trinca (So,; LB)—Putting his name on the map this season would be the Medford sophomore….Accumulating an AA-1 high-mark of 88 tackles (5 TFLs) to go along with 2 sacks and a pair of interceptions; Trinca has ascended to star status!
*Dominick Witt (Sr.; LB)—Top-5 in AA-1 with 51 stops, the Bayport resident has specialized in TFLs, as he leads the Cougar program with 9….
*Brandon Moloney (Sr.; DL)—Where’s the beef? He’s donning the #53 jersey and is inflicting pain…A mainstay on the SJS defense for the past three seasons; the 260-pounder is accustomed to getting double-teamed; but has still managed to amass 37 stops (7 TFLs) in the war zone!
*Jahmad Jackson (So; DB)—The 6’2, 185-pound “Air Traffic Controller” has statistically been the best cover man on the roster this season, as he leads all Cougars with 5 pass break-ups and is tied for the school-lead with a pair of interceptions!
Mini Synopsis/Last time they Met
Meeting for the second time in as many weeks; when the battle of Islands (SI vs. LI) occurred in the regular season finale; it was the Eagles making a statement when they cruised to a 33-13 victory on home soil…
An obvious confidence booster for the returning AA-1 bridesmaids; if they can get the same grade-A efforts out of individuals such as Terry (114 yards on 8 carries), Baez (2 grabs for 57 yards, including a 50-yard TD grab; 37 yards and an additional TD on 4 carries), and Jones (3 snatches for 68 yards, 1 TD) on offense; it could be another long day for the visitors from Suffolk County….
Defensively, Ciaramella (8 stops, 2 TFLs, + a fumble recovery), Gnerre (6 tackles, 3 TFLs), Badon (3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack), Colin Snell (5 stops, 1 induced fumble), and Daniel Mills (4 stops, 2 TFLs, 1 sack) answered the bell upfront; while the duo of Navarro (3 stops, 1 pick-6) and Damato (3 stops, 2 TFLs, 1 INT) shutdown the SJB air raid…
Coppola did what Coppola does; nailing both of his FG tries (3-for-4 on PATs) to personally contribute 9pts; and then defending two passes on “D”!
Scott (46-yard TD run in the 3Q) and Percer-Hogue (TD run early in the 4th) prevented the shutout for John the Baptist!