AA-2 FINALS
#1 Holy Cross (7-3) vs. #2 Xaverian (7-4)
When: Saturday November 22nd, 2025 @11am
Where: Mitchel Athletic Complex (1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Uniondale, NY 11553)
Watch: Varsity Media (Youtube)
PATH TO THE FINALS (Holy Cross)
–Quarterfinals: 42-0 over St. Dominic’s
-Semifinals: 14-8 OT over Christ The King
TITLE GAME HISTORY (Holy Cross)
*1980 (AAA): Lost to St. John the Baptist, 24-13
*1981 (AAA): Lost to St. John the Baptist, 26-12
*1990 (A): Champions behind a 28-14 victory against Iona Prep
*1991 (A): Champions via a 26-15 victory over Fordham Prep
*1994 (A): Champions behind a 21-18 triumph over Stepinac
*1997 (B): Champions behind a 17-6 victory against St. Peter’s
*1998 (A): Lost to Cardinal Hayes, 20-18
*2003 (AA): Lost to Christ the King, 34-8
*2004 (AA): Champions behind a 33-27 victory against Moore Catholic
*2024 (AA-2) Lost to Xaverian, 14-6
2025 PLAYOFF STANDOUTS:
*Madden Martinez (Jr.; QB)—Coming off of a game in which he scored both of the Knights TDs on runs in the semifinal victory against Christ the King; During the postseason, has completed 18 of 33 throw attempts for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns (all in the quarterfinals); has gains on the ground of 61 yards (3 TDs) on 7 carries
*Antoine Williams (Sr.; RB)—-Quiet on the ground in the semifinal round (4 hand-offs for 8 yards); Williams was his usual explosive self in the quarters, as he rushed for 88 yards on 15 carries….As a receiver out of the backfield, he has made 4 grabs for 26 yards (3 for 21 in the semis)…Has also been lethal as a kick returner with a pair of 50-yard returns (1 in each game)
*Ricardo Franco (Sr,; TE)—Fresh off of a 4-grab/43-yard effort last weekend; Franco has made 6 catches for 68 yards (1TD) during the postseason
*Caleb Rivera (So.; WR/LB)—A Star on both sides of the ball in the victory last week over Christ the King; offensively, Rivera hauled in 3 grabs for a team-leading 44 yards; On “D”, he racked up a stat line of 10 total stops (2 TFLs) and 1 sack…For the playoffs, he has 14 total stops (3 TFLs), the aforementioned sack, a pair of pass break-ups (in the quarters), and a punt block (quarterfinals)
*Kenneth Brassfield-Dailey (Sr.; WR/DB)—Instant offense every time the pigskin is in his hands; KBS turned in a POTW performance in the quarterfinals when he accounted for 3 touchdowns (2 receiving, 1 Punt return)…He was not as involved a week ago, but still made his presence know by accruing 2 catches for 24 yards…All in all during the playoffs, he has registered 4 grabs for 82 yards (2 TDs)…Seeing some time on defense, his 3 tackles raised his total to 4 in two games!
*Randy Sosa (Sr.; LB)—Has amassed 14 total tackles (8 in the semis) this postseason and was in the right place at the right time last weekend when he pounced on a loose ball for a fumble recovery!
*Pantelis Pantelakis (Sr.; NT)—Never taking a weekend off, the senior in the middle of the DL followed up a 5-tackle (3 for minus yardage)/1 sack showing in the quarterfinals by delivering a 7-stop display in the semis!
*Luca Collado (Sr.; DE)—A reigning NYCHSFL POTW selection after posting a career-best 13 total tackles (3 for a loss) and a sack; Collado upped his postseason totals this fall to 18 stops (6 TFLs) and 2 sacks…He really does own the opposing backfield
*Denym Haughton (Jr.; FS)—A turnover creating machine this postseason, Haughton has been responsible for causing three changes of possession by way of one INT apiece in each of the two games, as well as an induced fumble in the semis…Fresh off of a masterful effort in the final-4; in addition to the two TOs, he’d end the day with 11 total stops (2 TFLs)
*Joe Alestra (So.; Athlete)—Has come on strong in the postseason with 10 total tackles (6 in the semis)
*Brandon Glaudin (Jr.; RB)—Posted a season-high 9 tackles in the semifinal win over CTK
*Ethan Metellus (Sr.; DE)—Brings momentum with him to the field after turning in a dominant semifinal effort that witnessed him finish the day with a season-best 8 stops (doubled his previous high)
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PATH TO THE FINALS (Xaverian)
–Quarterfinals: 48-6 over Cardinal Spellman
-Semifinals: 33-20 over Holy Trinity
TITLE GAME HISTORY (Xaverian)
*2006 (AA): Champions by way of a 49-27 triumph against Fordham Prep
*2013 (A): Lost 51-14 to St. John the Baptist
*2014 (A): Lost 34-14 to Fordham Prep
*2015 (A): Champions behind a 31-12 victory over Cardinal Spellman
*2017 (A): Lost to Cardinal Spellman, 20-18
*2023 (AA-2): Lost to Mount St. Michael Academy, 34-3
*2024 (AA-2): Champions behind a 14-6 victory against Holy Cross
2025 PLAYOFF STANDOUTS:
*Terrence Watson (Sr.; QB)—A year removed from commanding the Clippers to the crown; the field general extraordinaire has the offense humming flawlessly again….Totaling five touchdowns in two playoff games; Watson has thrown for two TDs during both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, while adding a TD run in the quarters…Connecting on 12 of 18 pass attempts for 180 yards, his aerial numbers do not do him justice as he is capable to putting up a much bigger day when necessary…As a runner-up, he has combined for 56 yards on 11 carries (41 yards on 9 keepers last week)
*Richie Aiken (Jr; RB)—-”Playoff Richie Aiken” is a problem for anyone who dares step on the field with him for a second straight season….Named as the Offensive MVP of the AA-2 title game in 2024 and fresh off of a POTW nomination during the 2025 semifinals, the #6 jersey knows how to elevate his performance for the big moments….Establishing a new single-game best for TDs (3) last weekend, he came just short (174) of matching his personal-high for yardage (181; set in the ‘24 semis) in the win over Holy Trinity….He enters the finale having amassed 240 yards (5 TDs) on 22 carries….During the semis, he also stepped up on defense, registering 5 tackles and INT
*Giacomo Tarasco (Sr.; WR)—Contained last weekend in the semifinal win; the senior WR demonstrated how dangerous he can be one week prior (quarterfinals) when he caught a 34-yard TD pass and notched a 60-yard KO return on special teams…
*Christian LaRocca (Jr.; WR/LB)—Unstoppable as the #1 target for the Clippers; the 11th grader has hauled in 7 balls this postseason for a sum of 138 yards and 3TDs. He was especially lethal (4 for 94 and 2 touchdowns) during the semifinals…He also got into the mix on “D” racking up 3 stops last week!
*Mario Manna (Jr. RB)—A complementary option out of the Xaverian backfield should Aiken need a rest; Manna went off for 64 yards and a pair of scores (5 attempts) during the quarterfinals
*Joseph Tomassetti (Sr.; LB)—Posted a game-high 6 stops a week ago versus the Titans
*Andrew Lepore (Sr.; Safety)—Had a sack in the quarterfinals and then added an INT in the semis to go along with 6 total stops between the two games!
*Marco Wilen (Jr.; DL)—Giving a consistent effort in both rounds of the playoffs thus far, the 6’6, 240-pounder has collected 6 stops (2 TFLs) and a sack through two outings!
*Sebastian Santangelo (Sr.; LB)—Another steady presence on the Xaverian defense; he has been credited with games of 4 and 3 stops respectively thus far in the postseason!
*Bennet Malchow (Jr.; WR/RB/DB)—Something of an “X factor”; he has shown flashes of brilliance on both sides of the ball…In the quarterfinals, he ran for 43 yards on just 4 carries while also securing an INT and a pass break-up…He followed it up by making a pair of stops in the semis!
Mini Synopsis/Last time they Met
A rematch of the 2024 title game won by the Clippers; it is somewhat fitting that these two teams did not meet during the 2025 regular season; because the lack of that showdown has done nothing but add to the excitement/anticipation of what the sequel may have in store for those in attendance!!!
Doing all of their scoring in the ‘24 finale during the initial 24 minutes of action; the hero of the day, Aiken (scored both TDs on a 35 yard fumble recovery and a 12-yard run) is back for more and has been absolutely on fire with five postseason scores thus far in the ‘25 playoffs…
Aiken ended the championship contest with a stat line of 60 yards (1 TD) on 18 carries…
While they may have come up short; Knights QB, Martinez, and star tailback, Williams were not without some immensely redeemable contributions as the pair hooked-up on a 15-yart connection late in the 4Q to cut the deficit to 14-6 and create some suspense!
Martinez (16 for 32, 112 yards) knows that he will need to play a cleaner (2 INTs) game this time around the block; but is not doubting himself!
Williams (40 yards on 12 hand-offs in the ‘24 finals) will also be holding himself to a higher standard as he wants nothing more than to punctuate his scholastic career by bringing the hardware back to Flushing for the first time since 2004!
Glaudin was responsible for inducing two turnovers for HC in their losing bid, as he had a traditional INT inside his own red zone early in last year’s title date; and latter added a clutch hit on 4th down that generated T.O.D. and kept hope alive late in regulation!
With both teams featuring incumbent/proven personnel at the QB and RB positions; there is every reason to believe that the 2025 rendition will very much live up to the nail-biting expectations…
The defenses on each sideline serving as the definition of stout; thanks to the likes of Rivera, Sosa, Collado, Pantelakis, Haughton, as well as some of the already cited names, top-seeded Holy Cross has allowed only 14.9/per game this fall…
The defending kings [Xaverian] counters with their shutdown arsenal in the persons of Tomassetti, Lepore, Aiden Flood (team leader in TFLs and sacks), Wilen, and Jaydon Salomon setting the tone at all three levels…
Xaverian is surrendering a mere 16 points per game!