Richie Aiken (Sr.); RB – Xaverian Clippers
Consistent with the sentiments expressed in week #1 when he previously was honored this fall (now a four-time recipient); there is no “good/decent” version of the Rockaway Beach resident!
The “Aiken phenomenon” only comes in two modes—Regular season (great) and Postseason (Unstoppable)!
And this past weekend, we got to witness the fullest extent of that higher gear as the 5’9, 175-pound senior tailback was his quintessential playoff self in presiding over a 26-21 triumph in a clash of 2025 champions against Xavier!
Rushing for a season-best 179 yards (just three short of his career-high) and finding the end zone on two separate occasions; the #7 jersey raised his seasonal stat line to 850 yards and 12 touchdowns; thus matching his output (853 and 12) from a year ago with at least one more (and potentially two) appearance(s) still awaiting him!
The first of his two touchdown runs serving as a major momentum changer; on the heels of a 30-yard completion between Jake Price (8-for-13, 75 yards, 2 TD passes) to Christian LaRocca (3 grabs for 58 yards); it was Aiken taking the next snap 22 yards to the house with just under 1:00 remaining in the opening half to cut a 21-7 deficit to 21-14 at the break!
A HUGE defensive stand inducing a turnover on downs on the Knights’ first possessions of the 2nd half giving the Clips control of the pigskin already deep inside Xavier territory (35-yard line); it was the returning All-Catholic selection [Aiken] notching the game-tying score (21-21) when he busted up the middle for a 15-yard TD trek with 6:15 remaining in 3Q!
A perfectly executed recovery on a squib kick enabling Xaverian to play “make-it-take-it”; Aiken would contribute to the go-ahead TD when he registered runs of 13 and 10 yards sandwiched around a 12-yard reception (on 3rd down) to help move the ball from their own 42 inside the opposing 7-yard line!….Price then hit Spaeth Bradley on a 4-yard connection for the game-winner with 1:29 to go in the 3rd quarter!
A testament to his selflessness, prioritizing of team over self, and sense of sportsmanship; in the waning ticks (last 1:35) of the 4th quarter; Aiken had the chance to tally what would have been a single-outing/career-tying third touchdown; as he had open road on a 37-yard carry; but elected instead to slide down at the goal line!
Having upended the defending AA-1 titlists to keep their bid for a rare NYCHSFL three-peat intact (2x AA-2 champs; first season playing AA-1); the Clips will now face an even greater test in the semifinals when they battle against 2x returning finalists/2024 Kings, St. Joe’s by the Sea!
When the two juggernauts collided October 9th (32-28 SJS win); Aiken accounted for three touchdowns by way of 74 yards (2TDs) on 17 carries; while also adding a 12-yard TD snatch!
If “regular season” Aiken scored three; then don’t be surprised if his alter ego doesn’t go off for four or five TDs!
This kid is “moth” when it comes to the limelight and higher degrees of pressure!
He thrives on it!
Saleh Atariwa (Sr.); TE – Cardinal Hayes Cardinals
Reaffirming why he is regarded as the top overall tight end in the entire Empire State among class of 2027 prospects…
The 6’7, 265-pound mountain of a gentleman put forth one of the finest efforts of his scholastic career in leading the Cardinals to a hard fought 16-10 quarterfinal victory against Archbishop Stepinac!
Amassing 10 total receptions for a sum of 100 yards; the future Rutgers Scarlett Knight was the provider of a proverbial spark when it was much needed!
The fourth-seeded Cardinals trailing the visiting Crusaders 3-0 late in the 2nd quarter of a turnover plagued opening half (two interceptions + a turnover on downs on their first three possessions); it was Atariwa flipping momentum when he hauled in his most important catch of the evening, a 14-yard over-the-shoulder snatch in the end zone with :17 remaining, to send the Hayesmen into the locker room now enjoying a 7-3 advantage!
The “giant” in the #3 jersey stayed locked in at the beginning of the 3Q, as he’d record three separate grabs for gains of 17, 13, and 8 yards to move Hayes just outside the red zone (STEP 23) as a catalyst to an eventual 30-yard field goal courtesy of Chase Grogan that increased the margin to 10-3 with 6:37 to go in the stanza!
Prior to the successful FG, Atariwa had what would have been his second TD of the night (13-yard slant) negated by a penalty!
The “Bronx” brigade now clinging to a 16-10 cushion in the 4th quarter; Atariwa tacked on his last two receptions on the penultimate series of the game for Hayes; as they moved as close as the opposing 10 yard line before flags detailed the drive; but valuable clock was exhausted during the series!
Named as a Metro Catholic Player of the Week for the first time in his tenure; it is imperative that the coveted pass-catcher make his presence felt every bit this coming weekend as Hayes attempts to shock the football world by dethroning 2x League/2x Catholic State/#1 ranked Iona Prep in the semifinals!
Douglas Cristales (Jr.); RB/WR – Kellenberg Memorial Firebirds
What a day to “have a day” for the 5’9, 185-pound hybrid offensive weapon out of Hicksville!
Playing immensely inspired football for the final 24 minutes of action last Saturday afternoon; it would be the two-sport junior student-athlete putting the AA-1 top-seeded Firebirds on his shoulders in the second half; as his outstanding performance enabled Kellenberg Memorial to turn a 2-0 advantage at the intermission into a comfortable 23-7 triumph against St. Francis Prep!
Registering his third century-mark performance on the ground, as well as the third multiple-TD score effort of his career; Cristales utterly smashed his previous personal-best (+64) of 103 yards set in a week #6 dub against St. John the Baptist by racking up 167 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries (7.6/per) versus the Terriers in his NYCHSFL playoff debut!
As hinted above; the bulk of his damage (149 yards and both of his TDs) transpiring during the final two quarters of competition; the gent in the #3 jersey exited the locker room after halftime like a man on a mission; as he’d haul in his lone reception of the game for a 15 yards before then peeling off runs of 15, 8, and 2 yards (touchdown) to spearhead a successful opening drive of the 3Q to increase the Blue & Gold machine’s lead to 9-0!
The margin trimmed to 9-7 after SFP banked their only touchdown of the contest; it was Cristales delivering a powerful retort when complemented by a 20-yard run courtesy of Brendan Barkley (109 yards on 16 handoffs) to put the ‘birds on the doorstep; it was the 3.7 GPA/National Honor Society inductee punching in on back-to-back short distance gainers to restore some separation (16-7) approximately :30 into the 4th quarter!
Not the one to officially “hammer the nail into the coffin” as the clock tipped below 7:00 to go in regulation; it was Cristales’s 46-yard burst up the gut that moved KMHS from their own 46 to the Terrier 8 to set up sophomore sensation, Quinn Saccheri’s 8-yard touchdown carry that iced the victory!
His clutch effort raising Cristales’s totals this fall to 583 yards and eight TDs; he ranks 2nd and 1st on the roster in those categories!
A first-time POTW selection; it need not be said that he will continue to be a focal point for an Eric Meisse mentored cohort that is seeking the program’s first Metro Catholic hardware since claiming consecutive Double-A titles in 2017 and 2018!
The “Berg” enters the semifinals riding a six-game prosperity streak!
Joseph DeSocio (Jr.); RB – Kennedy Catholic Gaels
Tormenting Cardinal Spellman for the second time this season (previously named as a Wk #7 POTW)…
The 205-pound 11th grader proved to be even more uncontainable in the rematch, as he’d more than double his cumulative yardage (from 100 yards on 13 carries during the regular season to 206 yards on 17 attempts in the postseason) in vaulting the Gaels to a 42-0 quarterfinal victory that put them back in the AA-2 semifinals after their streak of consecutive final-4 appearances was snapped last season!
Equaling the three touchdowns he registered in the first meeting with the Pilots on October 17th; his first act of valor came in a supporting role as he’d peel off runs of 28 (to the Spellman 36) and 14 yards (to the 10-yard line) to facilitate a 10-yard house call courtesy of Clifton Dellatorre that broke the ice and gave the Gaels the initial 6-0 lead with 4:35 remaining in the opening quarter!
The margin grew to 14-0 approximately 2:00 into the 2Q when DeSocio struck for the first of his trifecta by stringing together consecutive carries for 25 and 7 (touchdown) yards!
The scoreboard having since ballooned to 22-0; it was the LaGrangeville resident exploding for his biggest pick-up of the night on a 44-yard dash to the end zone with a little over 6:00 to go before intermission to increase the differential to 29-0!
Now a 36-0 contest; DeSosio closed out the KC’s offensive production on the second play of the 4th quarter when he found a hole bolted 15 yards across the goal line to account for the final verdict! Earlier in the series, he also posted a 30-yard gainer that set the table (advanced the pigskin to the Spellman 24)!
Tasked now with trying to knock off the top-seeded Mountaineers of Mount St. Michael Academy in hostile territory; there is reason for optimism as DeSocio did enjoy some success (65 yards and 1 TD on 15 handoffs) when two squads clashed on September 18th (28-13 MSM victory)!
The “Boys of Somers” are hunting for their first championship weekend appearance since back-to-back appearances in 2018 (runner-up) and 2019 (titlists)
Luke McKay (Sr.); RB – Fordham Prep Rams
If every game was a NYCHSFL quarterfinal; then Luke McKay would be the greatest running back ever to walk the earth!
Earning Player of the Week distinction for the second straight year during the AA-1 quarters (his third overall POTW of his career; also selected in week #3 of 2026); the senior from Rye must really hate Eagles; because he has seemingly made it his personal mission to punish St. Peter’s every chance he gets!
His aforementioned week #3 accolades also coming at the expense of STP; McKay complemented the 190 yards (career-best) and two scores (tied his then career-high) he accrued on September 19th by going to town to the tune of a 154 yard/3 touchdown (new milestone) effort this past weekend to spearhead the Rams’ 35-25 triumph under the November 6th Friday Night lights!
Surpassing the century mark for the fifth time this fall; the 4.0 student-athlete upper his swan song totals to 917 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground; which ranks him 2nd and 3rd respectively among all Double-A-1 personnel!
The first of his trifecta scores coming in immediate, direct response to a St. Peter’s touchdown; #22 would be on the receiving end of a 21-yard screen pass to move the ball to the STP 6-yard line before taking the ensuing snap up the gut to the house to the even the board at 7-7 with 8:19 to go before halftime!
Handing the #4 seeded Rams their first lead of the contest (14-7) approximately 3:00 into the 3Q; McKay danced his way to the promised land from a distance of 3 yards out!
The board now leading 28-17 late in the 4th quarter; it would be McKay using his jets to secure the “W”; as he took the HB draw initially up the middle before then cutting to the outside for a 20-yard cruise to paydirt for the insurance TD (35-17) in the closing 88 ticks!
Posting an incredibly solid outing (110 yards rushing/1TD; 35-yard Touchdown catch) in a 28-20 loss to Kellenberg on October 2nd…
The returning All-Catholic/Honorable Mention All-State [McKay] will be asked to bear the brunt of the workload in the rematch; as the Fordham Prep brain trust is aware that his individual heroics will translate into team fortune in the bid to book a trip to title weekend for the first time since 2017 (runners-up to KMHS)!
Joseph Moran (Sr.); RB/LB – St. Joseph’s by The Sea Vikings
We don’t get a vote on such matters; but if the 215-pound senior out of Staten Island [Moran] is not the 2026 Double-A-1 recipient of the Riverso (Offensive Player of the Year); then color us SHOCKED!
Making his second POTW appearance of ’26 (previously honored in week #0) and the fourth of his three-year varsity career; the returning 5th-Team All-Stater confirmed that no matter how well the opponent gameplans against him; there is no way to ever truly stop/contain him!
Entering the Vikings’ quarterfinals showdown with St. John the Baptist leading all Double-A RBs in ground yardage (1,080) and TD runs (13); Moran did not have a bad day rushing (68 yards on 17 carries to up his yardage numbers to 1,148); but it was his ability to pivot and emerge as the top pass-catching option that ultimately enabled the 2x returning finalist/2024 Champs from Hylan Blvd to escape with a 35-28 comeback triumph in OT against the visiting Cougars!
Collecting career-bests of 9 receptions (total of 129 yards) and three TD snatches; an argument could be made that #18 might also have the best hands in the Metro Catholic League, as his fall sums of 44 catches/786 yards/8 TD hauls ranks him 3rd, 4th, and tied for 2nd in those categories among NYCHSFL personnel!
And it turns out that he is not a bad QB either; LOL!
His impeccable timing every bit the godsend as the totality of his body of work under the Friday night lights of November 6th…
With the host Vikings trailing 14-7 at halftime; it was Moran jump starting the offense when on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, he’d launch a beautiful 50-yard HB toss to Arthur McCarthy for the equalizer!
Fast-forwarding to late in regulation (roughly :15 to go in the 4th) and the “season hanging in the balance” to quote the Viking coaching staff; it was Moran on the back end of a 23-yarder bullseye from Peter Tronlone (13-for-25, 174 yards, 3 TDs in the air; 77 yards + 1 TD with his legs) for their third touchdown hook-up of the evening to knot the game at 28-28!
On one of the few occasions in which he did not directly have a hand in the TD-scoring sequence; Moran still made an impact in the extra frame; as it was his 7-yard gain at the start of overtime that put SJS on the doorstep and allowed Tronlone to push his way across the line on a keeper shortly after for the clincher!
Not overlooked would be neither the 18-yard catch by Moran in the 2nd quarter to give Sea a 7-6 lead; nor the 37-yard reception he registered to trim a 28-14 hole to 28-21 with 7:21 remaining in the 4Q
As a defender, Moran also accrued 11 total stops (3 TFLs) to raise those sums to 102 (2nd on the roster) and 10 (tops among Vikings)!
Now the owner of the ONLY 2,000 yard of total offensive production season in Vikings’ history; the “heart and soul” of the cohort has no intention of slowing down, as he will be resolute in his ambitions to return to championship weekend for a third straight campaign!
Standing in the way of another SJS finals berth will be the already cited Clippers of Xaverian (2025 AA-2 titlists)!
And just like his counterpart, Aiken; Moran will be stepping onto the field full of confidence; as he rejoiced in a 159-yard (107 rushing, 52 receiving)/4 touchdown (3 on the ground; 1 as a receiver) performance during the week #6 classic!
To boot, his 12 tackles against the Clippers on October 9th tied his personal-high in a single game!