Article by Matt Diano
1) Iona Prep
Head Coach: Joe Spagnolo (Entering 7th Season)
Last Season: Record: 11-1; Won 38-22 in CHSAA State Finals vs. St. Francis; Claimed the 2021 NYCHSFL AAA crown behind a 49-15 victory over Monsignor Farrell
Top Returning Players:
*Ajani Sheppard (Sr.; QB)—Reigning NYCHSFL AAA Offensive Player of the Year; 2021 New York State Co-Offensive Player of the Year; 2021 All-Catholic/2021 1st Team All-State…Dual-threat QB that had a hand in 38 touchdowns last season (22 tossing; 16 rushing)…Completed 181-of-255 throw attempts (71%) for 2,357 yards; also called his own number on 138 separate occasions, surpassing the 1,000 milestone (1,041)…Truly deadly in every possible way, the Old Dominion University commit boasted 200+ passing efforts seven times in 2021, while also dashing for 100+ on four different outings!
*Zyian Moultrie-Goddard (Sr; LB/RB)—Recipient of the 2021 NYCHSFL Defensive Player of the Year; 2021 All-Catholic selection/2021 1st Team All-State…The sparkplug that powers the Gaels’ shutdown “D”, the Syracuse commit recorded 131 stops as a junior (including 23 for a loss of yardage); he was tops on the squad with 4.5 sacks….Hailed for his prowess on defense, there is little doubt that Moultrie-Goddard will be utilized when his team has the ball. Specializing in the role of “big back”, he finished 2nd on the team in rushing TDs with 9, while compiling 323 yards on 45 tries!
*Jorge Ruiz (Sr.; OT)—-Headed to Georgetown next fall, the 6’4, nearly 300-pound monster of a man was heralded on both the league (All-Catholic) and state (6th team) levels as a junior…Setting the tone for the entire OL, the future Hoya was an essential member of a cohort that did the dirty work in yielding 4,811 yards of 48 touchdowns of protection…The “Bodyguard” for his highly touted signal caller, with him providing grade-A protection, Sheppard is going to enjoy quite the comfortable senior campaign!
*Capri Martin (Sr.; DT)—A champion in everything he does, the future Villanova Wildcat not only enjoyed team glory last season on the gridiron; he also won his second straight CHSAA State Wrestling crown in the winter….Named to the All-Catholic team and garnering Honorable Mention All-State recognition, 14 of Martin’s 52 total tackles resulted in negative yardage, including four sacks!
*Michael Senatore (Sr. WR)—The holdover from an explosive receiving trio that featured All-league teammates—Justin Joly & Michael Ryan—Senatore will be asked to emerge as the “go to” target in his final year wearing the Maroon & Gold….Possessing 4.6 speed, his 6 TD grabs last season ranked 2nd on the team…All In all, he amassed a stat line that read as follows: 28 grabs for 400 yards w/the previously cited six 6’s!!!
*Colin O’Garro (Sr.; RB)—Entering his second year as the primary tailback for the Gaels, the Lohud Super 11 finalist out of New Rochelle could have easily put up much bigger numbers in 2021 had it been necessary…However, he absolutely demonstrated his grit and value when he tallied 150 yards (27 combined carries) and scored one TD apiece in back-to-back title games last November…Appearing in just seven contests as a junior, O’Garro still managed to accumulate 454 yards and score 3 touchdowns on 83 attempts (5.5/per).
*Terrence Walden (Sr.; DB)—The centerfielder for the IP defensive backfield, Walden anchors a very polished secondary…Last season, he finished 3rd on the team with 79 tackles and added an INT to round out his junior resume!
*Kieran Connolly (Sr.; LB)—Fitted in the mold of a rover DB/LB, you are going to hear the Connolly name called early and often in his senior year….In 2021, was 2nd among IP players with three interceptions; he also ranked top-10 on the roster with 43 stops to show that he stuffs the run as well as he plays the ball in the air!
*Jaylin Hicks (Jr; DE)—Turning a lot of heads as a sophomore, Hicks registered 34 stops, including 10 TFLs…He holds multiple NCAA DI offers and was called “a budding nightmare for opposing O-Lines” by his head coach in 2021!
*Terron Johnson (So; DB)—-To know all you need to know about the talent of this young man, consider that he started as a freshman!!…A ball-hawk that will be asked to do a lot to fill the cleats of 2024 top-15 overall prospect, Ellis Robinson IV (transferred to IMG), Johnson is up to the challenge as he picked off two passes last season and added 25 stops!
*Jaden Codrington (Jr; DB)—Another individual that logged significant field time I the secondary as an underclassman for a loaded Gael defense, Codrington made 15 stops and emerged with two INTs in his own regard!
Impact Newcomers
*Rowan Byrne (So.; OT)—Yet to appear in a varsity game in his scholastic career, the 6’5, 280-pounder holds offers from Syracuse, UConn, and Rutgers just to lit a few of his suitors…He will be a plug and play starter at the OT position from his first moment with the big club in 2022!
*Zakar Morris (Jr.; DE)—”An eater of double-teams”, the 6’3, 300-pounder is going to jump right into the starting line-up along the DL as an 11th grader…Listed as a Defensive End, his size and abilities translates just as well to a NG/DT role!
2022 Overview
Using the manta, “Focus on us”, the defending league and state champions are going to have quite a few eyes focused on them in 2022 as they enter ranked among the top-100 programs in America!!!
Marching out returning Players of the Year on both sides of the pigskin, as well as quite a bit of experience at key positions, Coach Spags seemed modest, but optimistic in terms of the program’s much anticipated repeat bid!!!
Conservatively stating that the group seems to be comparable, if not improved in most areas, we never want to jinx any one, but if his comments prove to be half true, then it is very hard to envision this brigade not being there at the end when November rolls around….After all, when you averaged 36 points per game and only surrendered 18 en route to the hardware a year ago and you are BETTER this year, that is nothing if not a recipe for glory!!
Undeniably, the man of the hour, day, week, year, maybe decade if all goes accordingly in his final season will be senior quarterback, Ajani Sheppard!….An individual that we were shocked did not get the respect he deserved from the power-5 NCAA programs, the reigning State Offensive Co-Player of the Year has found a home in Norfolk, VA (at Old Dominion), and will playing with a chip on his shoulder to prove that those who passed on him are destined to regret it!!!
Quite simply, Sheppard is such a rare and special talent, but if he had to win a game single-handedly, we’d bet money that he’d succeed in his mission…However, that probably will not be the case since he will have the luxury of a top-3 WR (Michael Senatore), not to mention a pair of proven brutes (Colin O’Garro & Zyian Moultrie-Goddard) providing excess firepower at the skill positions….
Not hurting for talent along the OL, Jorge Ruiz will be a serious candidate to make it two years in a row that Iona Prep seizes Lineman of the Year accolades (Scott Becker in 2021), while sophomore sensation, Rowan Byrne, finds himself on course to perhaps be the best OL in school history…Tomas Schultz-Langendorf and Jayden Nicolau, both of whom were well over 300 pounds in 2021, further create a devasting optic for opposing DLs…
Defensively, the clear-cut superstar that will command the spotlight is of course future Orange, Moultie-Goddard…But alas, despite the loss of generational prospect, Ellis Robinson IV, we cannot help but be blown away by all the ability that IP will foster in their defensive backfield…Terron Johnson, Jaden Codrington, and Terrence Walden were pretty darn impressive a season ago (5 combined INTs) and they are going to be even more formidable with the added year of experience under their proverbial belts…
Moultrie-Goddard will be graced with the presence of consummate playmakers—Jaylin Hicks, Capri Martin, and Kieran Connolly up front….This quartet of pain combined for 260 stops, 47 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, and 3 INTs….Don’t sleep on Senior LB, Christian Napolitano either…As a junior, the hometown kid made 26 stops and factors more prominently to a unit that is reloading after the graduation of some heavy-hitters!
There will be no easing into the new season for the Gaels as they square off with 2021 Ohio State runners-up, Archbishop Hoban, right out of the gate (September 3rd)!
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2) Archbishop Stepinac
Head Coach: Michael O’Donnell (Entering 35th Season As Head Coach)
Last Season: Record: 7-4; Lost 24-21 in the NYCHSFL AAA Semifinals to eventual league runners-up, Monsignor Farrell
Top Returning Players:
*Will Currid (Jr.; QB)—The starting signal caller as a freshman during the pandemic shortened year of 2020, the 6’2, 188-pound field general served in a back-up capacity as a sophomore, but has rightfully retaken the reins under center for his junior campaign…Despite not being the starter a year ago, he still managed to accumulate 532 throwing yards and toss three touchdowns while completing 69.1% of his pass attempts (38-for-55)!
*Lorenzo Robinson (Jr.; RB)—Stepping up to fill the gap created by the team’s leading rusher’s (Bryce Davis) decision to transfer following his sophomore year, Robinson will be one two tailbacks that are featured during the 2022 season…2nd to Davis on the team in both yardage gained (288) and ground scores (5), he averaged 11.5 yards per carry on his 25 attempts…
*Jordan Osbourne (Jr.; RB)—Primed for a big junior year after seeing plenty of field time as part of the RB rotation, the 6’0, 200-pound resident of Ardsley amassed 161 yards on 34 hand-offs in 2021, but will blow those numbers out of the water during the coming three months!
*Gjok Dedvukaj (Sr.; WR)—2021 All-Catholic Selection….2nd on the team in all major pass-catching categories with 38 grabs for 645 yards and four TD receptions, Dedvukaj will ascend to primary target status in his senior year following the announcement that fellow All-Catholic/team statistical leader, Dae’Shawn Allen had transferred….
*Jahi Gary (Jr.; WR)—Standing 6’5, you cannot miss the Poughkeepsie resident out wide…His height a nightmare for opposing defensive backs, as a sophomore, four of Gary’s 11 total grabs resulted in touchdowns for the Crusaders…All in all, he hauled in 199 yards of production a year ago and will be an even bigger (literally and figuratively) piece of the offense in 2022!
*Serge Lagardere (Sr.; WR/Kick Returner)—A keg of dynamite any time the ball finds its way into his hands, Lagardere scored at least one touchdown in four different ways in 2021, as he rushed for 1, caught 3 TD passes, returned 3 punts to the house, and even discovered paydirt on a KO return…Amassing 438 yards (with the aforementioned 4 TDs) as a special returner, when needed, the Stamford resident is capable of being a traditional weapon as a WR…As an 11th grader, he was 3rd on the Crusaders In both receptions (25) and yardage (276); his 3 TD grabs ranked 4th on the totem poll!
*Bodhi Ogg (Sr.; TE)—A complement to the aerial attack as the starting TE, Ogg’s 6’3, 210-pound frame makes him suited to thrive as both a receiver and a blocker….As a junior, he caught 10 passes for 181 yards and 1 TD!
*Michael Cogoni (Sr.; OL)—A returning All-Catholic selection, as well as the linchpin behind an offensive line that remains pretty much fully intact from one year to the next, the 285-pound OT was paramount to an attack that amassed over 4,000 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2021…Recently receiving a scholarship offer to Marist, Cogoni is regarded as being among the finest OLs anywhere in the Empire State!
*Jalen WIlliamson-Thomas (Sr.; OL)—-Another essential returner off of last year’s stout and dominant offensive line, the 265-pound senior will be lining up at offensive guard this year as Stepinac tries to match the nearly 2,700 yards accrued on the ground a season ago!
*JT Krivinskas (Sr.; LB)—Back for another season after turning in a banner/dominant junior campaign that witnessed him lead the Crusaders in total stops (124), register 4 sacks, break-up a pair of passes, and recover 2 fumbles, it is almost a certainty that the Port Chester resident is destined to repeat as an All-Catholic pick in his final year wearing the Red, White, Blue colors!
*Wayne Coleman (Sr.; DL)—The most heralded of the Stepinac defensive personnel, the 6’2, 300-pounder was both an All-Catholic honoree and a 5th Team All-State selection a year ago following a junior season that saw him record 77 tackles and 4 sacks on the interior (DT)…
*Jack Donahoe (Sr.; DB)—-A multi-sport superstar that enjoyed nothing but triumph throughout his scholastic career on the lax field, the track (triple jump), or the gridiron, the future Harvard Crimson student-athlete will be determined to close out this chapter by bringing the team title home to White Plains…The man in the middle of the defensive backfield (FS), as a junior, he led all Stepinac DBs in both INTs (2) and pass-break-ups (7), while rounding out his stat line with 60 stops and 1 QB bag!
*Devin Costello (Sr.; CB)—The shutdown corner of the secondary, as a junior, the 5’10, 160-pounder tied Donahoe for the team-high of 2 interceptions, while also contributing 4 pass defenses, and adding 43 tackles…
*Jandiel Jimenez (Sr. LB)—A potential break-out star as a senior linebacker, Jimenez totaled 23 stops, 1 sack, and 2 QB hurries as an 11th grader…His numbers will shoot through the roof in his swan song!
*Giuseppe Pennolino (Sr.; LB)—Another senior LB whose production on the defensive side of the ball is about to explode; as a junior, Pennolino racked up 21 stops…
*Isaiah Darby (Sr.; DE)—If you are going to go by the name, “DaBigTicket” on social media, then you better give one gigantic effort to leave up to the billing…And that is what we are predicting for the edge-rusher out of Valhalla….Last season, he gave us a preview of what he could do when he recorded 19 stops and 2 sacks in just six outings!
Impact Newcomers
*Eddie Palumbo III (Jr.; LB)—Day #1 starter out of the gate; when you are a junior playing in an All-senior LB corps, you know you must be pretty darn good! At 6’4, 205-pounds, he possesses all the physical attributes to be a major prospect at the next level!
*Ryan Diaz (Jr.; OL)—Slides straight into an experience deep OL and is said to be not skipping a beat among his proven teammates…He will be at Offensive Guard with the big club in 2022!
2022 Overview
Absent from Championship weekend for the first time since 2014, the perennial powerhouse from White Plains (winners of 4 of the past 7 NYCHSFL AAA titles) has every reason to believe that a return to the promised land is attainable in 2022!!!
Returning 12 starters (7 on offense, 5 on defense) off of a squad that averaged over 34 points per game and allowed approximately 21, Head Coach Mike O’Donnell says that as long as the cohort is able to stay healthy, they ought to be in the driver’s seat thanks to amazing senior leadership throughout the line-up!
Junior field general, Will Currid, is back under center after humbly/selflessly accepting a reserve role in 2021 to allow James McCauley to complete his high school career where it started…Currid is a gunslinger with “on the money” precision (connected on close to 70% of his throws)…Given the repertoire he will be blessed to be associated with this year, to say that he is a threat to hurl for over 300 yards during every appearance is not an overstatement….Our “not so bold” prediction is that he finds himself on both the All-Catholic and All-State rolls by the end of his junior campaign!
Accommodating the desire and ability of their QB to distribute the pigskin all across the field will be one of the top receiving units in all of NYS…Combining for 84 grabs for 1,3078 yards and 12 touchdowns, Gjok Dedvukaj (WR), Jahi Gary (WR), Serge Lagardere (WR), and Bodhi Ogg (TE) represent instant offense/points in droves due to their individual and collective talents for tormenting opposing secondaries…This group is so good by itself that it is almost scary to consider that had it not been for a transfer, All-Stater, Dae-Shawn Allen, would have also been in this company. Allen’s departure, while unfortunate for Catholic football enthusiasts just means that it creates opportunities for one of his former teammates to replace him on the All-State list!
The Crusaders’ leading rusher from 2021, Bryce Davis, has also fled for a new home, but the machine will continue to function flawlessly in the backfield because of an anticipated three-person rotation consisting of juniors—Lorenzo Robinson, Jordan Osbourne, and Tommy Cottrell…Earning carries as sophomore, Robinson and Osbourne generated 449 yards and 5 touchdowns on 59 carries…Cottrell is a fresh face on the varsity, but has impressed his coaches and should contribute immensely!
Acting as the glue that will hold the enterprise together will be an offensive line that in the words of O’Donnell, “pretty much consists of returning personnel”….At the core of the beast(s) will be 2021 All-Catholic selection, Michael Cogoni, who will start at OT…Fellow incumbent starters, Jalen Williamson-Thomas and Ethan Bangari, will occupy the OG and center positions…Impact newcomers, Ryan Diaz (OG) and senior OT, Christian Watts, fortify the OL…Tipping the scales at an average weight of 278 pounds (per what is listed on MaxPreps), this is a group that is going to be creating craters in opposing defenses all season!
The other side of the ball is just as forceful/intimidating for Stepinac, as four of the team’s top-10 tacklers are back for another go-around in 2022!!
“Mean” and “dangerous” at every level of the pyramid, it is not easy to decide which respective clique is the strongest among the starting-11, but if forced to choose, we feel that the no fly zone commanded by Jack Donahoe (FS) & Devin Costello (CB) “takes the cake” as well as takes away quite a few balls…Tied for the team-lead of 2 interceptions apiece in 2021, Donahoe and Costello also defended 11 combined passes and collected 103 stops!….11th graders—Samuel Madu (CB) & Deonte Douglas (SS) are also said to be budding play-makers!
Not intending to play second fiddle to any group, including teammates/friends will be the four-man LB wrecking crew of seniors, JT Krivinskas, Jandiel Jimenez, and Giuseppe Pennolino, not to mention extraordinary newcomer, Eddie Palumbo III!…Krivinskas was among the top hit men in NYS as a junior and accounted for 127 of the trio’s 165 stops!
After putting forth an All-Catholic and/or All-State (5th team) display in 2021, Wayne Coleman will again spark the DL…With the much acclaimed “boss” clogging the middle, it will be Isaiah Darby and Jaden Hernandez (5 tackles last season as a sophomore) manning the end positions…Like an inferno, all three bring heat on every rep they take!
Crusader fans should circle September 10th on their calendars!! If vengeance is on their minds, they will not have to wait long to hunt for it as Stepinac battles the team that ousted them from the 2021 playoffs, Monsignor Farrell, on home soil!
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3) St. Anthony’s
Head Coach: Joe Minucci (Entering 4th Season As Head Coach)
Last Season: Record: 6-4; Advanced to the AAA semifinals before dropping a heartbreaker, 35-28 (2OT) to eventual league and state champion, Iona Prep!
Top Returning Players:
*Dante Torres (Sr.; QB)—2021 All-Catholic Selection; 2021 5th Team All-State…Etched in the mold of former NFL MVP, Cam Newton, the Fordham University committed signal caller looks the part (6’3, 190), and he certainly backs it up with his dual-threat prowess…Showcasing more of his gunslinger abilities as a junior in 2021, he hurled for 2,296 yards and 21 touchdowns while hitting on 151 of his 241 attempts (62%)….Demonstrating the other aspect of his game, he tacked on an additional 245 yards 4 scores on 52 carries (4.7/per)!
*Korey Duff Jr. (Jr.; WR)—2021 All-Catholic…2021 3rd Team All-State…The three “S” man in all his glory, we said it last year and we firmly stand by it the statement EVERY power-5 school need to be hot on this young man’s tail…He has size (6’5 in height), speed, and smarts (3.7 GPA)….Already holding offers from Rutgers, UConn, Maryland, and Pitt among others, if he is as unstoppable in 2022 as he was in 2021, then rest of those major programs will coming calling…The featured target as a sophomore, Duff Jr. was a receiving triple-crown winner for the Friars, as he posted teams-highs with 35 grabs for 683 yards and 5 touchdown snatches
*Kenyon Miles (Sr.; WR)—Tied with Duff Jr. For the team lead in TDs hauled in last season (5), the Huntington resident would be the #1 focal point on just about every other scholastic team on Long Island…His yearly totals of 26 grabs for 404 yards as a “#2 option” leaves no doubt how special he is in his own right!…Miles committed to Villanova in early-July!
*Tim Longo (Sr.; WR)—Like a horror story that has no ending, Longo further adds to the depth at wide-out for STA; as an 11th grader, he ranked in the top-4 on the team in every receiving category—-18 catches (4th), 329 yards (3rd), 4 TD grabs (3rd)…At only 5’9, he has a knack for getting lost and then reemerging down field for clutch catches.
*Frank Ruta (Sr.; RB)—2021 All-Catholic—One of two proven commodities out of the STA backfield, as a junior, Ruta was lethal from inside the red zone, scoring 14 touchdowns with his legs and adding another as a receiver….The very epitome of what it means to be an All-Purpose RB, he rushed for 437 yards on 68 attempts, while also making 9 grabs for 70 more yards of production!
*Darius Morant (Sr.; RB)—The second half of the dynamic RB duo in South Huntington, Morant only touched the ball on 32 total occasions (31 runs, 1 pass) as a junior, but still managed to amass a total of 318 yards and 5 touchdowns….He averaged nearly 9yrd per carry, gaining 273 on the aforementioned 31 tries…On his lone reception, he marched 45 yards to the promised land!
*Nick Matos (Sr.; WR/DB)—One of the few St. Anthony’s student-athletes that could/will be called upon to handle double duty, on the depth chart, Matos is listed only on defense at the cornerback position…But alas, we have a feeling that his track record of success as a WR Is going to be impossible to ignore if you are the Friar staff…With so many others ahead of him last season and only so many balls to be shared among a stacked group of receivers, the 4.0 cerebral standout still put himself in the conversation, grabbing 12 throws for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns…Not listed on the 2021 defensive stat sheet, he will be asked to provide the same suffocating pass coverage as 2022 graduate/All-Catholic honoree, Mikey Leo!
*Carson Ciancuielli (Sr.; OL)—Named to the All-Catholic squad as a junior last season, the 275-pound Offensive Tackle will be one of two foundational cogs in the trenches for St. Anthony’s…With him paving the way in all aspects, the Black & Gold machine accounted for nearly 4,000 yards of offense (2,511 in the air, 1,459 on land) and scored 48 touchdowns (23 passing, 25 running)…Per the Newsday top-100 article, he possesses the versatility to be plugged into any of the five OL spots!
*Christian Oliva (Sr.; OL)—The pulling guard for the Friars for a second straight year, Olivia is pushing 300 bills and he know how to use every ounce of that bulk to drive any one in his path directly to the turf…He is a road grader’s grader and will be invaluable on helping STA to have TWO RBs on the All-Catholic team this year instead of just one!
*Ian Strong (Sr.; Rover/LB)—Built like a linebacker, but possessing the speed of a defensive back, the 6’4, 205-pound future Rutgers’ Scarlet Night is regarded as the #2 overall safety in the Evil Empire….As a junior, he was credited with 52 bone-chilling hits, 2 INTs, and a forced fumble….Not that he is needed; but there Is some scuttlebutt that he could see some action as a WR due to the problems he would be present to physically overmatched foes!
*Joseph Dechiaro (Sr.; LB)—Stepping into a starting LB role as a senior will be the 12th grader hailing from Northport….In 2021, he tallied 14 total stops, but that number will increase greatly in his swan song!
*Thomas Mackell (Sr.; DE)—Part of the restocking movement along the DL, Mackell has been projected to start at one of the two DEs in his senior season…As an 11th grader, MaxPreps recognized him for making 12 tackles and contributing a sack!
*Vinny Spina (Sr.; SS)—Collecting 8 stops and picking off 1 pass as a junior, Spina is another of the Friar 12th graders on “D” that the coaching staff is confident is ready to flip the switch and jump levels as it pertains to his value!
Impact Newcomers
*Alexander Menghi (Jr.; TE)—Appearing on the 2021 varsity roster, but only listed as making one catch, the 11th grader should benefit quite a bit from playing in a scheme that is going to want to showcase the elite arm of their senonior field general…With so much attention needed to be paid to the murderer’s row of wide-outs, there is sure to be opportunity for him as the starting TE!
*Preston Carey (Fr.; DL)—Perhaps the most heralded freshman prospect in quite some time on either side of the ball, in the 20+ years of being a Catholic football enthusiast, the 6’5/265-pounder monster is the first 9th grader I recall receiving an immediate invite to play with the varsity in his debut campaign…The owner of scholly offers from Georgia, Michigan, LSU, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Rutgers, among a sampling of his power-5 suitors, he is one that you need to prioritize seeing!! Carey will be a day #1 starter at DT!
*Ryan McNaughton (Soph.; OL)—Another phenom underclassman, the 240-pound 10th grader will be the starting pivot in 2022 along the offensive live!
2022 Overview
A team that very much could have been entering 2022 seeking to defend a title, no one put a bigger scare (2x) into Iona Prep last season than the Friars of St. Anthony’s…
Losing by scores of 35-34 (regular season) and 35-28 double overtime (AAA semifinals), last year’s festivities were so fan pleasing that it is a no-brainer that we have October 1st circled in bold, bright, font!!
In search of their first triple-A brass ring since 2013 (a streak that witnessed them win 12 out of 14 years; including seven in a row from 2001-2007), St. Anthony’s will lean heavily on an offense that Is SO INSANELY devastating that last year’s 35.7 point per game seems pedestrian compared to what we believe there are feasibly capable to putting up on the scoreboard week-in and week-out in 2022!
A runaway locomotive that is so balanced that it can steamroll their opponents by either sky or land, if they elect to implore the former, then the opposition will have to contend not only with an All-State quarterback (Dante Torres) but also upwards of 5-6 different receivers—Korey Duff Jr., Kenyon Miles, Tim Longo, Nick Matos, and Ian Strong…While Matos did not see any time on offense in 2021, the remainder of the quartet combined to catch 91 balls for 1,701 yards and 17 TDs….Junior TE, Alex Menghi, has the confidence of the staff and will be yet another thorn that will cut into rival defenses…
If their poison happens to be a “ground and pound”, then rest assured that the senior duo of Frank Ruta and Darius Morant will be all too happy to burn you all night…One a returning All-Catholic selection, the other a strong candidate to be among the distinguished this November, they generated 710 yards and 18 TDs rushing season between them!
The offensive line may not be as infamous as their friends at the skill positions, but with returning starters—Carson Ciancuielli and Christian Olivia occupying the OT and OG spots, there remain a sufficient bedrock from which to erect a tenacious battalion…Sophomore, Ryan McNaughton, is a promising up-and-comer and could evolve into the best center at the school since former HS All-American, Alex Fletcher (played collegiately at Stanford)..Senior, Ryan Murphy, will be the other OT!
Strong (LB), as well as Matos (CB), Joe Dechiaro (LB), Vinny Spina (SS), Thomas Mackell (DE), and Jayden Platt (CB; 8 tackles in 2021) provide stability/poise to a defense that will welcome many new and/or untested names/faces…
Freak Fab Frosh, Preston Carey (DT), has not even played a single down of high school football yet; and his future is already paved with gold!!!
We’ve already seen senior, Griffin Goldstein, be dominant on a wrestling mat (2x defending CHSAA State champ @172 pounds), and we know he has been automatic as a place-kicker; but 2022 will afford us the privilege of seeing how he fares as an every-down LB!
After opening the season on September 9th versus defending AA-1 champs, Chaminade, the Friars will hunt for inter-state bragging rights when they travel to the Garden State to face St. Joseph’s of Montvale on 9/17 @Rutgers University!
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4) Chaminade
Head Coach: Kevin Dolan (Entering 7th Season as Head Coach)
Last Season: Record: 7-3; Won the NYCHSFL AA-1 Title Behind a 43-7 victory over Moore Catholic
Top Returning Players:
*Matthew Dieguez (Sr.; QB)—A year removed from splitting signal caller duties as part of the title run, the Fordham University commit (baseball) will have the job all to himself in his swan song campaign….A born winner who claimed not just one, but a pair of Catholic crowns last year (Chaminade also won on the diamond), Dieguez accounted for 553 yards and 8 touchdowns of cumulative offensive production…With his arm, he connected on 31-of-63 attempts or 379 yards and a team-high six TD passes….He averaged 5.4 yards on the ground, carrying the ‘skin 32 time for 174 yards (2 additional scores).
*Gavin Creo (Sr.; RB/WR)—Expected to be used in a variety of roles on offense this season, the Richmond bound (Lacrosse) multi-sport standout found his greatest success last year as a pass-catcher, sweeping the team-lead in all receiving categories with 27 receptions for 404 yards and 5 touchdown grabs…He’ll likely also see action in the backfield as part of a RB rotation. In this capacity as a junior, he gained 193 yards and scored 1 TD on 21 attempts (9.3/per)!
*Gary Correa (Sr.; WR)—Similar to Creo, the natural athleticism of the Mount St. Mary’s lax commit Is going to give Coach Dolan and staff a lot of flexibility in how they unleash him on offense…Considerably more dangerous than his 2021 stat line may suggest, Correa rushed for 28 yards on 5 carries, while tacking on an extra 10 yards of production via two receptions…For good measure and as a sign of his universal skill set, he also tossed a 17-yard halfback pass for a touchdown!
*Mason Dietrich (Sr.; OL)—The lone returning starter off of an offensive line that helped the Flyers generate 3,429 yards and 38 touchdowns…Standing 6’4 and tipping the scales at 275, Dietrich has been among the most coveted OL on LI in terms of recruiting interest…He holds a plethora of scholarship offers from FCS programs…Capable of playing all five of the OL positions, he will start 2022 in the pivot, but could move to OT if necessary!
*Charlie Battaglia (Sr.; LB)—A human hit machine for the Crimson & Gold, the Massapequa enters his senior season in Mineola a year removed from topping all Chaminade defenders in total stops with 92 (13 TFL)…He added 3 QB sacks, and a pair of pass break-ups to round out a brilliant season…Not surprisingly, he was named as a 2022 Team captain in recognition of the example he set since arriving as a sophomore transfer!
*Matt Rappa (Sr.; LB)—Further bolstering the LB corps is another incumbent starter in the person of the 6’0, 210-pounder out of Centerport….In 2021, 10 of Rappa’s 61 total tackles resulted in a loss of yards to the opponent!
*Benjamin Mann (Sr.; LB)—Yet another experienced and proven asset at LB for Chaminade, Mann recorded 33 stops, 1 sack, and forced a fumble as an 11th grader!
*Luke Ventura (Sr.; DL)—A menacing presence in the middle of the defensive line, the gent from Port Washington notched 12 TFLs as part of an overall season that saw him make 51 total tackles…
*Dean Aquilina (Sr; DE)—An elite edge rusher that registered a team-high 6 sacks in his junior year, Aquilina lived in the opposing backfield, as he concluded 2021 ranked 2nd on the team with 14 TFLs…All in all, he was credited with 50 stops!
*Claudio Pinto (Sr.; DE)—A breakout star on the wrestling mat last year (189-pound CHSAA State titlist), Pinto was solid on the gridiron as a junior, collecting 21 tackles and recovering two fumbles…We anticipate him to be GREAT in 2022!
*Bryan Freel (Sr.; DB)—The team’s top returning cornerback, Freel posted a stat line that read as follows as a juniors: 48 tackles, 2 Interceptions, 3 pass break-ups….He’ll be tasked with trying to shut down a very deep group of opposing wide-outs this season!
*Michael Maggio (Sr.; SS)—Equally adept at handling the run or the pass, Maggio joins Freel in bringing senior experience to the secondary…As a junior, he was extremely productive, collecting 48 tackles, intercepting a pass, breaking-up throws in his direction, and even recovering a fumble!
*Timothy Tomlinson (Jr.; PK)—Regarded as the #6 overall place-kicker in the nation by Kohls from the class of 2024, we are going to be watching this young man on television at a Power-5 school in the coming years….As a sophomore, he drilled 5-of-8 FG attempts (long of 50), while going 35-of-38 on PATs…The owner of a booming leg, 25 of his 50 kick-offs yielded a touchback!
Impact Newcomers
*Jack Tully (Jr.; RB)—Hopefully the next in a line of Flyer running backs that go on to enjoy All-State success (Mario Fischetti in 2019; Christian Alacqua in 2021), with Creo bouncing around, this Garden City resident may be the one who you see playing the more traditional tailback role…A multi-sport athlete who is not lacking for God-given ability, he should be a day #1 contributor!
*Nicholas Rinaldi (Jr.; OL)—Will four of the five starters along the OL graduated from last year’s title team, it will be imperative that individuals such as the 240-pounder step up in their first season on varsity….Rinaldi is currently slotted to be a day #1 starter at Offensive Guard!
*Lucas Catoggio (Soph.; )—A rare sophomore called up to the big club, not only is the 250-pound 10th grader on the roster, he is expected to jump right in and be among the starting-11 at the other OG spot!
*Seamus Miller (Jr.; LB)—Turned some heads during camp and should see A LOT of field time despite playing a position in which the school enjoys great depth!….Was the 2021 Junior Varsity Most Valuable Player!
*John Marshall (Jr.; DB)—Will be opposite Freel at the other corner position!
2022 Overview
You know aspirations are high in Mineola this season when fresh off of winning “back-to-back” (2019, 2021) NYCHSFL Double-A crowns, Head Coach, Kevin Dolan referenced his 2022 cohort as “the strongest group I’ve had in my time at Chaminade.”…
Barely missing the AAA playoffs in 2021, the AA-1 title wasn’t the hardware that the Crimson & Gold sought, but it is the one that may have laid the tracks for a bigger prize the following year!!
Stockpiling a wealth of experience on the defensive side of the ball, pretty much everywhere you peek, you land on an established returning starter!
Possessing nothing but beasts up front (DL + LB), the linebacking corps is alarmingly talent-rich, as Charlie Battaglia, Matt Rappa, and Benjamin Mann combined for 190 stops (24 TFLs) and 4 sacks…Last year’s Junior Varsity MVP, Seamus Miller should complete the quartet!
Before the opposition even concerns themselves with the collisions from the second-level of “D”, they must first find a way to survive the initial onslaught that will be brought by the team’s returning sack king, Dean Aquilina, as well as fellow 12th graders—Luke Ventura & Claudio Pinto!
Bryan Freel (CB) and Michael Maggio (SS) will co-pilot the “No Fly Zone”….Junior, John Marshall, is among the top newcomers to an already stout “D”
Unlike the “D”, if there are any questions that need to be answered, those inquiries likely exist on the offensive side of the ball where Chaminade will have the unenviable challenge of replacing the majority of their superstars…
Gone is their All-State running back (Christian Alacqua), not to mention All-Catholic selections—Michael Miller Jr. (WR) and Nicholas Orphanos (OL)….
The good news is that what may be absent in terms of quantity is overwhelmed by the quality and potential present…
Matthew Dieguez will platoon no more as he enters his senior season as QB #1…He showed some absolute flashes of brilliance as a junior (led the team with 6 TD passes)…And now that he will not have to split snaps, we anticipate all the pieces falling into place for the future Fordham Ram….
Gavin Creo Is that 10-in-1 tool we wish we all had in our pocket if stuck in a ditch…He can be utilized as a conventional ball-carrier, he can be a pass-catcher out of the backfield, he can line up out wide….Whatever the situation calls for, Creo has an ability to adapt!…Junior, Jack Tully, put forth a tremendous effort on the Junior Varsity last season and Is ready to make a smooth transition to the varsity.
Gary Correa also fits into that category of “pure athlete” who has no limitations in what he can do if the ball finds him…His receiving numbers were modest last year because he was part of a very senior-laden ensemble….But as a prime target, 20-30 catches seems very well within his literal and proverbial grasp!
Mason Dietrich will be the anchor for an offensive line that has had to replace four starters, but still is quite trustworthy thanks to the blend of seniors who served as reserves in 2021 and an insurgence of fresh faces (Nicholas Rinaldi, Lucas Catoggio)!
Junior PK/Punter, Tim Tomlinson, has a shot to being playing on Sundays; therefore, it not be said that he can affect outcomes either as a point scorer or as a dictator of field position!
If Chaminade truly Is the best version of themselves in 2022, we should find out early as they are set to face off with archnemesis, St. Anthony’s, on September 9th!
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5) Monsignor Farrell
Head Coach: Rocco Del Priore (Entering 1st Season as Head Coach)
Last Season: Record: 8-3; 2021 NYCHSFL AAA runners-up, losing 49-14 in the title game to Iona Prep
Top Returning Players:
*Cristian Pinto (Jr.; QB)—Took his team to the ship last season as a sophomore by showcasing an ability to both hurl accurately and pick his moments to scramble…Doing the majority of his damage with his arm, Pinto connected on 62% of his throw attempts (68-for-110), chucking for 1,273 yards and 7 touchdowns (compared to just 2 INTs)…On the ground, he averaged over 12 yards per carry (209 yards total), finding paydirt twice on 17 keepers!
*Messiah Burch (Sr.; RB)—1st Team All-State in 2021; 2021 All-Catholic…The consensus #1 overall tailback on the Empire State Catholic football map, the recent verbal commit to the University of Buffalo missed some time last season AND STILL managed to put up the following numbers—1,007 yards + 14 touchdowns on 78 attempts (12.9/per)….Surpassing the century mark in five of seven appearances as a junior, Burch averaged over 143 yards per outing; just imagine what he would have achieved had he been fully healthy from start to finish!….So electrifying in everything he does, it is almost possible to prepare for a person of his caliber because you cannot believe it until you experience it!…Not utilized much as a pass-catcher, it ought be noted that he did take one of his two receptions (51 receiving yards to the house)!
*Shawn Keegan (Sr.; WR/CB)—Like Burch, Keegan is a three-year constant in the line-up…The bar none #1 target in the passing game in 2022, the 5’7, 165-pounder grabbed 12 balls for 101 yards as a junior while playing alongside two seniors (Frank Esposito & Mateo Bravata)…Ascending to the role of focal point, we’d be surprised if he was not on the All-Catholic team when November rolls around!…Keegan is also among the top defenders returning this season following a campaign in which he accumulated 46 stops, 1 INT, and 7 PDs out of the secondary!
*Anthony Massa (Sr.; Two-Way lineman)—Another individual who is entering his third consecutive season as a mainstay in the starting-11, the 255-pound Staten Islander will have a two-fold job in his last year wearing the Maroon & Gold…Objective #1—Create craters up the middle from his spot on the OL at center; Goal #2—Plug those same holes when he shifts over to defense as the NG/DT…Massa and his peers in the trenches helped the Lion offense generate over 3,900 yards (2,635 on the ground) and 36 touchdowns (29 rushing)
*Nicholas Souffrin (Jr.; WR/DB)—Something of a conversion project in his junior year, the 6’1, 175-pounder appears to be changing sides of the ball, as he appears only as a wide-out on the depth chart…..As a sophomore in 2021, he was nothing short of extraordinary in the defensive backfield, registering 42 tackles, 3 INTs (tied for team-high), and a squad best 8 pass break-ups…Because he was authoritative in shutting down opposing aerial attacks, our gut tells us to ignore what is on paper and assume he will be making noise on both sides of the line this year!
*John Caufield (Sr.; SS)—2021 5th Team All-State….The “hammer” among the Farrell secondary, as a returning AS performer from a season ago, all eyes are going to be focused on the senior strong safety….Sharing top-honors with Souffrin with three interceptions apiece, Caufield was tied with Keegan for 2nd in PDs with 7, and ranked in the top-5 in cumulative tackles with 58 stops! He is as complete a defensive back as they come!
*Justin Guzman (Sr.; WR/FS)—Similar to Souffrin, Guzman is a stud who made his bones on defense (39 tackles, 1 INT, 6 PDs), but is being asked to embrace more responsibility as he has been summoned into ironman status as both a starting receiver and as the defensive centerfielder!
*Nicholas Rossini (Sr.; LB)—Seeing plenty of action as a junior in 2021, with the Lions sustaining some losses to the front-7 due to graduation, the 5’10, 175-pounder will now have his chance to sit at the head of the table and be a leader….Notching 20 tackles and earning 1 sack, look for him to go to a whole new level as a 12th grader!
*Yasire DeJesus (Jr.; DE)—An individual that has all the tools and will be a someone that demands the headlines during each of the next two years, DeJesus not only possessed great speed on the edge (12.3 in a 100-meter in April), he also has the power to complement it (highly credentialed as a thrower of the javelin, shotput, and discus)….Earning significant field time as a sophomore, the 6’2 201-pound defensive end racked up 30 stops (4 TFL), 1 sack, 2 QB hurries, and a forced fumble…He is even stronger this season, so beware!
*Louis Martinez (Jr.; DE)—The second dynamic DL on the Lion roster that was so imposing at a young age that he earned a promotion to the big club as an underclassman, Martinez brings that classic 240-pound physique to the position…As a 10th grader a year ago, he collected 23 tackles!
*Nicholas Volpe (Sr.; OL)—After doing some commendable work on defense last season (16 stops, 1 sack), full attention for Volpe will shift to offensive line where he will try to fill the cleats of 1st Team All-State/All-Catholic recipient, Chris Long currently a freshman at Wagner) as the linchpin of the unit!
Impact Newcomers
*Carson Coleman (Jr.; RB/LB)—Solid junior prospect that could see action on both sides of the ball as either a running back or a linebacker
*PJ Behan (Jr.; FB/LB)—Multi-sport athlete who has good size (listed at 215 pounds) and could be the “Big Back” option on short yardage situations…Also can add depth to LB!
*Michael Barzal (Jr.; WR/TE)—With seven of the team’s top-8 leaders in receptions having been seniors in 2021, the Lions believe that he could come in and give them a boost in this area!
2022 Overview
The Cinderella Story (despite technically being the #2 seeds in the playoffs) that warmed the hearts of the Catholic faithful last season, when 2021 started, I doubt too many pundits would have predicted that the boys of Amboy Road would earn a trip to Mitchel Field for Championship weekend!!
However, more important than the critics is the fact the team itself believed, it strived, and it made it happen before bowing out to the juggernaut that was Iona Prep last season!
As they embark on a new journey, they will do so with a new leader at helm, Rocco Del Priore, as well as the never easy task of trying to replace 20+ seniors that graduated last May!
Fortunately for the Staten Island based program, they are blessed to have the “ACE of aces”, the “game-changer or game-changers”, etc. In the person of senior running back, Messiah Burch…Almost a surefire guarantee to run for 150+ yards every week and score at will, the Buffalo bound All-Stater is going to be able to keep Farrell in most games single-handedly…But he certainly is going to have plenty of capable constituents around him that could push the Lions over the top…
Returning to take the snaps will be junior, Cristian Pinto, who will need to find a few new weapons to which he can spread the rock, but already knows that three-year starter, Shawn Keegan, can be relied on to be consistently available to him…Justin Guzman & Nick Souffrin carved out reputations for themselves on defense in 2021; but have emerged as favorites to go from disrupting passes to hauling them in…Sophomore, Seth Clarke, and 11th grader, Michael Barzal, are also in the mix as rising gems in the vertical attack!
Anthony Massa (Center) and Nicholas Volpe (OT) will spearhead an almost entirely senior offensive line that will be complemented by Ben Rosa (OG) and Jake Sweeney (OT)…Super sophomore, William Aguirre, will bring his 260-pound frame with him to cement the unit as a guard!
After allowing a little more than 17 points per game last year, an abundance of returning play-makers on “D” will be determined to be even more forceful in their goose-egg hunting efforts…
While there is not a single “weak” area among the 11, at first glance, the secondary seems to be the primary strength!
Nicholas Ercolano (2 tackles in 2021) will join his fellow seniors—Keegan, Guzman, and Caufield—in building an impenetrable last line of defense…
Yasire DeJesus and Louis Martinez will bring the fire from outside of the DL, while Massa will be an endless nightmare up the gut…
Nick Rossini headlines a linebacker unit that will flourish with the accompaniment of Joe Cashin (4 stops in 2021), Benny Dattoli, and Daniel Rapino!
For a team that is dead set on peaking in November for a second straight year, there will be plenty of early indicators to their ceiling as they collide with 2021 Rhode Island State champs, Bishop Hendricken (September 3rd), followed by a rematch of the 2021 AAA state semis against Archbishop Stepinac (September 10th) to commence their journey!
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6) Kellenberg Memorial
Head Coach: Eric Meisse (Entering 1th Season as Head Coach)
Last Season: Record: 4-5; Lost 42-7 in the NYCHSFL AAA Quarterfinals to Archbishop Stepinac
Top Returning Players:
*Devin Page (Sr.; QB)—2021 All-Catholic Selection; Emerged as one of the breakout stars of 2021 when he was thrust into action and proceeded to generate 1,575 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior signal caller…Page displayed “on the money” accuracy, hitting on 103-of-159 aerial attempts for 1,221 yards (13 Touchdowns)….With his legs, he would carry the ball on 57 occasions, finishing the year 2nd on the team with 354 yards (2 additional TDs)…Bound for the Ivy League, he recently announced that he had entered into the admission’s process at the University of Pennsylvania!
*Sean Cannon (Sr.; WR/DB)—The second of the Firebirds returning All-Catholic performers from a year ago, the Amityville resident was honored on the defensive side of the ball following a campaign that saw him lead the squad in total tackles (70), Interceptions (3), and pass break-ups (8)…When KMHS had the ball, the 6’2 185-pounder showcased his versatility as a pass catcher, ending his year 2nd on the cohort in both total receptions (22) and receiving yards (308)…He made one TD grab in 2021, but that number will definitely shoot up now that he will be the top target in the sky!…Cannon will also handle specialist (punter/kicker) duties to round out his array of invaluable contributions!
*Dylan Page (Sr.; Two-Way Lineman)—The twin brother of the aforementioned decorated QB, brains certainly run in the family as Dylan will also be taking his Godly gifts on the field and in the classroom to the land of Ivy (Cornell)….Page will be a mainstay on the gridiron in 2022, as he is expected to start at both OT and DE…As a junior, he recorded 10 stops on defense!
*Matthew Watterson (Sr.; LB/WR)—Making a name for himself as a starting linebacker a season ago, Watterson was among the team-leaders in both stops (44) and sacks (3)….A pure athlete that Is always willing to embrace more on his plate, Watterson will also be a factor in the offensive side of the game as a wide-out/TE hybrid.
*Peter Sluka (Sr.; WR/DB)—The brother of the living legend/former NYCHSFL Offensive Player of the Year [Matt], Sluka was described by Coach Meisse as so diverse in his abilities that he could be utilized in a plethora of ways and will absolutely be moved around to create mismatches…In limited carries as a junior, he averaged just under 6yrs/carry (47 on 8 handoffs)…If need be, he Is capable of adding depth to the defense as a member of secondary!
*Michael McQuaid (Sr.; WR/SS)—Asked to be do double duty in his final year in Blue & Gold, McQuaid saw some action on defense as a junior, collecting 12 tackles…But alas, it is on the offensive side of the ball (as a WR) that he has won over the coaching staff…He is said to have looked very strong in a preseason scrimmage and is witnessing his stock skyrocket as a trusted target in the aerial attack!
*Ethan Cumming (Sr.; RB)—After sitting behind an All-Catholic selection as a junior, Cumming has stepped into the spotlight as the main option out of the Firebird offensive backfield…Productive in the few glimpses we got of him during his junior year, he found the end zone on two of his 15 carries and ended the year with a net gain of 50 yards (average of 7.1/per)!
*Owen McDevitt (Sr.; Two-way lineman)—One of three senior OLs that return from a squad that amassed just under 2,900 yards of total offense and scored 31 touchdowns, the 6’3, 220-pounder will occupy the tackle position in 2022….Defensively, he should see some action as part of a rotation at DE. He was credited with 11 tackles and one forced fumble as an 11th grader!
*Brenden Jones (Sr.; OL)—Another experienced and stout lineman that is battle-tested and proven, Jones will be starting at OG this year!
*Paul Anderson (Sr.; OL)—Completing the trifecta of renowned offensive linemen earning the respect of their head coach was the 250+-pound pivot out of Massapequa Park!
*Claude-Albert Makelele (Sr.; DB/WR)—Blessed with 4.6 speed that enables him to act as a shutdown CB, the young man who preaches “1 percent better every day” has gotten considerably better since we last saw him in 2021….As a junior, ranked 2nd on the team with 6 PDs and added an INT for good measure…His stat line also included 29 stops, proving that he can handle the run just as well as the pass!….Due to his magnificent burners, there is a very good chance that despite not catching a pass in all of 2021, you could see him on offense at WR. He is a definite deep-ball threat anytime he steps foot on the field!
*Jack Ligarzewski (Sr.; LB)—Succeeding in pretty much every endeavor he undertakes, the multi-sport phenom (was a CHSAA State runner-up on the wrestling mat last winter) represents 1/3 of an explosive and game-changing LB corps…A master of checking all boxes, he showed that he can stuff the run (38 tackles) and disrupt the passing game (2 sacks, 3 pass break-ups)!
*Patrick Conroy (Sr.; LB)—The Lynbrook resident registered 24 tackles and 1 sack as a junior!
*Christopher Moore (Sr.; LB/RB)—Arguably the best of the three senior LBs that will anchor the Firebird defense this season, the 180-pounder from Massapequa was 2nd on the team with 45 stops last year, while also tacking on 1 sack, and 3 fumble recoveries….Not listed on the depth chart as a tailback, Moore did demonstrate some skill in this department as a junior, rushing for 26 yards and 1e touchdown on only four carries! He could be an ace in the hole if the call comes!
Impact Newcomers
*Matt Iannicelli (Jr.; OT)—Touching 280 pounds an 11th grader, the East Meadow resident will bring bulk and depth to the OL as a reliable reserve tackle!
*Andrew Kaiser (Jr.; OG)—Further bolstering the OL depth will be yet another 280-pounder in the person of the Saint James resident!
*Noah Foster (Jr.; DE)—Regarded as an individual who is sure to s an abundance of field time in his varsity debut; will contend to earn a starting job at defensive end! He drew some comparisons to former NYCHSFL DPOY, Danny Wilson, in the fact that he is not the biggest person at the position; but his elite athleticism prevails in most one-on-one match-ups!
2022 Overview
After more than three decades (33 years), 116 wins, and three NYCHSFL crowns (including going back-to-back in 2018/2019), the legendary era of 2018 New York State Coach of the Year recipient, Kevin Hanifan, concluded in 2021…
While the man himself may be absent from the sidelines in the physical form, he left the program in the best of hands as long-time assistant/protege, Eric Meisse, was tapped as a worthy successor!
No stranger to delivering titles, prior to taking over the football program last November, the Kellenberg alumnus (class ‘06) helped transform the Firebird wrestling program into perennial league and state title contenders!!
And if you ask Meisse, he could not have inherited a better group of young men from which to begin this new legacy/chapter in KMHS gridiron glory!!!
Sustaining some blows on offense due to graduation (4 All-Catholic honorees at skill positions), what has defined the Uniondale based program during recent times has been their resiliency and the “next man up” mentality that enabled them to defy the odds and qualify for the AAA playoffs a season ago.
At the heart/acting as the epitome of this continual reloading is senior QB, Devin Page, who entered last year expecting to be the back-up, but quickly showed that the future was the present when he played admirably in place of injured starter, Ethan Greenwood (now at the Citadel)…With a year of running the system now in the bank, there is no telling how extraordinary the future UPenn Quaker can/will be!
With fellow 12th grader/All-Catholic defender, Sean Cannon, being the only established receiver on the roster, unlike some coaches who view this as a dilemma, Meisse sees only a wealth of opportunity for names such as Michael McQuaid, Peter Sluka, Matthew Watterson, Claude-Albert Makelele, etc. to step to the plate and announce themselves as the protagonists to a story of victory!
What the Marianist may lack in terms of experience/credentials at WR, they more than compensate for with a laundry list of size, grit, and polish along the OL…Dylan Page, Owen McDevitt, Brenden Jones, Colin Mitacek, and Paul Anderson will bring the senior punch to the OL, while juniors Matt Iannicelli and Andrew Kaiser are present to provide a second batch of pancake-yielding blocking!
Ethan Cumming will go from the occasional spot carry to the #1 option out of the backfield!
Joining several of the names already recognized above on “D” will be a lethal LB corps comprised of Jack Ligarzewski, Christopher Moore, and Patrick Conroy…Combined, the trio logged 107 stops and 4 sacks!!
Newcomers—Noah Foster, Isaiah Gittens, and Luke FiField are perceived as instant contributors along the DL…Both sophomores, the latter two are going to be wreaking havoc for the better part of the next three years…
Senior, Owen Fitzgerald, completes the last line of defense…He is fresh off of a campaign where he totaled 15 stops and a fumble recovery!
Wasting little time in challenging themselves, KMHS will use a non-league contest on September 9th with 2021 State runners-up, St. Francis (Buffalo), as a barometer of how they stack up with the crème de la crème of the Catholic football hierarchy!
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7) Christ the King
Head Coach: Jason Brown (Entering 12th Season)
Last Season: Record: 1-8; Lost 37-7 in AAA Quarterfinals to eventual league runners-up, Monsignor Farrell
Top Returning Players:
*Na’eem Gladding (Jr.; WR)—Tied for the team-lead as a sophomore with two touchdowns grabs, the 6’1, 190-pound wide-out was 2nd on the team in both total catches (22) and receiving yards (254) despite being sidelines for half the season…A bona fide burner who possesses 4.5 speed in the 40, Gladding currently holds a scholarship offer to Temple…
*Jourdin Houston (Soph.; WR)—One of the most highly coveted 10th graders in the entire Empire State, the 15-year-old phenom is still in the infancy of his scholastic career, but already boasts scholarship offers from power-5 programs such as Penn State and Syracuse….As a diaper dandy in 2021, he was credited with 14 grabs for 241 yards and one score…
*Arjaye Henry (Sr.; OL)—-The nucleus and senior pillar of the offensive line, Henry is a returning starter in the trenches off of a squad that accumulated 1,717 yards and 15 touchdowns of total offense…The 6’1, 260-pounder can write his own ticket to any college/university in the country in large part to the academic brilliance he has demonstrated (3.8 GPA; 1300 on the SATs); however, he is attracting some interest for his football abilities as well!
*Tyriq Blanding (Sr.; DL/LB)—Regarded by 247 Sports as the top overall 2023 prospect in all of New York, the Penn State verbal commit out of the Bronx topped all Royal student-athletes last season with 4 sacks to go along with 49 stops in total…6’3, 265-pounds of pure speed, skill, and ferocity, he is impossible to ignore on a football field; he demands you watch him!
*Amir Pringle (Sr.; OLB/S)—A new age hybrid safety that gets classified as a linebacker, the 6’0, 200-pounder is still waiting for a power-5 offer, but it said to be firmly on the radar of Rutgers University….As an 11th grader, he ranked among the top of the CTK leaderboard with 42 tackles! He will also register 1 sack, and recovered a fumble….Pringle was not identified as a member of the starting-11 on the depth chart; which could mean that the plan is to use him as a jack of all trades who shifts around to create mismatches!
*Arinze Maijeh (Jr.; DL)—”The Nigerian Natural”, this young man was born to shine on the gridiron…At 6’1, 260-pounds, he has already attracted the attention of Temple University following a 10th grade campaign that saw him record 17 stops as an interior defensive lineman!!…Anticipate an even bigger year out of him in 2022 as he plugs the middle at DT!
*Tyler Davis (Soph.; DE)—A budding superstar, Davis earned playing time as a freshman last season (4 total tackles)….But 2022 is when his journey really commences as he is expected to start at defensive end…He presently hold a scholarship offer from Temple University! At 6’3, 240-pounds, he is a man child who is only going to grow more imposing as he continues to mature!
*Tyler Partlow (So.; DE)—The second of the double dose of “Tyler” at the DE position, Partlow is actually slightly higher in the opinions of most scouts, as evident by the fact that he already has been extended offers from Oregon State, Syracuse, Washington, Temple, etc….In his rookie campaign a year ago, the 6’4, 265-pounder posted 15 stops and 1 sack!
*Jani Strong (Sr.; LB)—An absolute hit machine, as a junior last season, the 5’9, 200-pounder was 1st on the Royals with 67 cumulative tackles…It goes without saying that he intends to continue to bring the BOOM on each and every snap!
*Christopher Vincent (Sr.; LB)—Despite only appearing in 4 games (per MaxPreps) as a junior, Vincent made a strong impression, collecting 13 tackles and a pair of sacks!!
*Karyll Rony-Dorceus (Sr; CB)—The seasoned vet/senior commander of the Christ the King secondary, at 6’2 and 176-pounds, scouts have spoken highly of the length that Rony-Dorceus brings to the cornerback position…As an 11th grader, he racked up 17 tackles!
*Mekhi Edwards (Jr.; DB)— Nicknamed “the Seatbelt”, Edwards has been announced as the starting strong safety; but his cover abilities would allow him to occupy any of the spots in the defensive backfield….The 5’11, 180-pound 11th grader was invited to the ESPN/UnderArmour Elite 300 Underclassman camp in April and has been in contact with the likes of Penn State, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Notre Dame, etc….As a super sophomore last season, he was credited with 12 tackles in six outings!
Impact Newcomers
*None Indicated
2022 Overview
A team that on paper is a heck of a lot better than the 1-8 record they ended up posting in 2021, the gentlemen from Middle Village are intent on confirming that the sum of the parts truly is greater than the whole….
Using the mantra, “We Are All We Got”, as their battle cry, to look at the ceiling that the Royals possess, it is a fair statement to say that they HAVE as much, if not more God-given talent than pretty much 99% of teams in the entire state of New York…All that means to be seen is whether or not they mesh and connect all the dots!
Never was the previous statement truer that in the case of the defense!!
A year removed from allowing over 37 points per game, when you go position by position, you cannot help but land on a stud that should be dominating in his individual match-up across the board…
Ignited by the best senior prospect in the entire state, Tyriq Blanding, approximately half (perhaps more if there were some offers we did not hear about) of the starting-11 currently hold scholarships or have been in direct contact with FBS contending programs…And the ones who don’t are still pretty commendable in their own right after gaining valuable experience in 2021!
Beginning in the war zone and moving level-by-level, the highly sought-after sophomore DE duo of Tyler Davis & Tyler Partlow combined for 19 tackles and 1 sack despite their youthful ages. Both currently have at least one college offer in pocket, with Partlow building quite the collection of “fan mail” from DI schools…Junior DT, Arinze Maijeh, approached 20 stops last year and is also being pursued by recruiters…
The Blanding inspired/stimulated starting linebacking corps accounted for 129 stops and 6 sacks as Jani Strong led all CTK personnel in tackles, while the future Nittany Lion [Blanding] was top man in QB bags…Christopher Vincent may not have received as much opportunity, but when he was out there, he made things happen…And let us not forget about senior, Amir Pringle. His numbers not even factored into the above tallies, he was a top-5 hitter for the school last season and adds more firepower to the pass rush!
Cornerback, Karyll Rony-Dorceus, and safety, Mekhi Edwards, are both guarantees to play in college, with the former hotly on the radar of some giants of the sport…They united to accumulate 29 stops between themselves in 2021!
Offensively, the key to righting the ship seems to be to establish a more consistent passing game…
With two of the top WRs in the state— Na’eem Gladding & Jourdin Houston, back in the fray after ranking 1st and 2nd on the team in receptions a season ago (combined totals of 36 grabs, 495 yards, 3 TDs), senior signal caller, Victor Moran, has the weapons he needs to greatly improve on his stat line (46.5 completion percentage, 498 yards, 3 TDs/6INTs) from a year ago.. Justin Warner, will hope to transform the dynamic duo into a terrific trio!
The grade-A beef of returning starters—Arjaye Henry (C) and Richard Steigerwald (OG) will provide guidance to a mountainous OL that also features Jacob Jimenez (OT), Lathan Hudson (OT), and Justin Kawalick (OG)!
Junior, Rahmir Morgan, earned first dibs on RB1 duties and will be tasked with filling the cleats of 2021 All-Catholic selection, Samarki Williams!!
Two of the Royals’ first four games will act as barometers to title aspirations…On September 3rd, they face 2021 AAA semifinals, Stepinac; then two weeks later (Sept. 24th), they square off with defending league and state champs, Iona Prep….Win or lose, if they hang around, you know they are for real in 2022!!!
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8) Cardinal Hayes
Head Coach: CJ O’Neill (Entering 19th Season as Head Coach)
Last Season: Record: 5-6; Lost 42-28 in the NYCHSFL AAA Quarterfinals to St. Anthony’s
Top Returning Players:
*Kenneth Antoine (Jr.; RB)—An individual who saw considerable field time last season despite being only a sophomore, Antoine averaged just under 6yrds per carry in 2021, netting 233 and scoring five touchdowns on 40 hand-offs…As the high-man among returning personnel, it is assumed that he will be the one to assume RB1 responsibilities for the Cardinals this season…
*Rich Belin (Soph;. QB)—Named to the All-State (4th team) squad as a freshman, Belin spend his rookie campaign playing wide receiver while older brother (1st team All-State), Henry, completed his scholastic career before heading off to the ACC at Duke University…Already having been extended offers by the likes of Syracuse and Temple, Belin caught 28 passes for 523 yards and 1 TD as a 9th grader…In his one appearance under center at the very end of 2021, he showed why he was considered the heir apparent to his older sibling, connecting on 3-of-5 tosses for 85 yards and one TD throwing, while also finding the end zone on one occasion with his legs…
*Taifah Mason (Sr.; WR)—With Belin likely switching roles from target to marksman, there remains an opportunity for new names to step to the plate and become stars….Utilized in a reserve role as a junior, if you remove Bellin from the totem poll, it means that Mason is the most credentialed wide-out o roster following a season in which he recorded 7 receptions for 90 yards and a pair of touchdown hauls!
*Juan Diaz (Sr.; OL)—The only returning starter and senior on the offensive line…As a junior, Diaz was the pivot for a unit that was instrumental in enabling the Cardinal offense to average close to 32ppg, while stockpiling 4,418 yards, and 49 touchdowns….As the veteran presence, he will need to set the tone and elevate the big boys around him!
*Jordan Banks (Sr.; LB)—Second on the team in total stops last year with 80 (4 TFL), Banks is going to be the featured play-maker on the defensive side of the ball for the Cardinals…
*Elijah Torres (Sr.; LB)—Recorded 38 stops a season ago as a junior
*Teddy Holland (Sr.; DL)—Bringing experience to the defensive line, the senior DE turned In a strong junior campaign in 2021, collecting 34 tackles and 1 sack.
*Giovanni Downer (Jr.; DB)—Saw action as a sophomore in the secondary, racking up 28 tackles…
*Raymond Cruz (Jr.; DB)—The second half of a stupendous sophomore DB combo, like Downer, Cruz was able to bank significant experience as a 10th grader. He will now use that wisdom gained to step into a much larger role…In 2021, he was credited with 25 stops!
*Kahmari Valentine (Soph.; DL)—One of only a handful of freshmen to contribute to the Cardinals a year ago, the 280-pound DT more than held his own against older competition, registering 23 stops and 1 sack!
*Blake Belin (Soph.; DL)—Joining Valentine on the interior of the DL will be his fellow 10th grader, Belin, who seeks to show that the family name plays pretty well on “D” as well….Having already been offered by Temple University, Belin maximized the opportunities he received as a rookie, recording 8 tackles in his six appearances!
*Dylan Means (Sr.; DE)—Serving in a reserve role last season as a junior, Means will need to take his game to the next level in his swan song to
2022 Overview
*We were not able to touch base with the Cardinal Hayes staff for projected line-ups….
But for the Cardinal faithful, all signs seem to point at this being a bit of a rebuilding year as the heavy majority of main contributors on both sides of the ball were seniors in 2021.
Offensively, one area of excitement that you ought to pay attention to is the passing of the torch at the field general position between the Belin brothers, Henry and Rich...
A very gifted WR who it goes without saying would have had more than a few offers to remain as a pass-catcher at the college level, when the younger Belin formally donned “the robe” last Thanksgiving, he began a new saga where he will be the ringleader of an attack that is famous for lighting up the scoreboard…
It need not be said that we have the utmost confidence in Belin’s skill set; but the question still needs to be answered as to whom his passes will be directed in 2022….Last year, the top-4 wide-outs (not including Belin) were all 12th graders, meaning that Coach CJ O’Neill Is essentially facing the dilemma of having to begin from scratch in regards to the aerial attack….Senior, Tafari Mason, brings some credentials to the position, so early on, he has to be labeled as the top target!
A bright spot in a supporting capacity as a sophomore a year ago, running back, Kenneth Antoine, has earned the privilege of being the star attraction out of the backfield in his junior campaign…A person whose numbers are not telling of his true abilities because he was splitting carries with older teammates, anytime you see 6 yards per carry adorning a person’s name, you give it respect!….And with the passing game forced to reinvent itself, Antoine could be the safety blanket at the onset!
Juan Diaz is the only bridge between last year’s starting OL and the five men that will bang heads in the trenches in 2022!!!….
Gone from the “D” are a trio of All-Catholic honorees from 2021 (Devon Banks-DB, Muhamed Borja-LB, and Gavn Taylor-DL)….But alas, despite the hits from graduation, the cupboard still shows plenty of top shelf ingredients!
Senior linebackers—Jordan Banks and Elijah Torres—are the most established of the personnel after combining for 118 tackles!!
A blend of maturity and future royalty, the defensive line potentially could be comprised of two seniors and two sophomores in the persons of Teddy Holland, Dylan Means, Kahmari Valentine, and Blake Belin…Every member of this quartet saw the field last season, as they combined to tally 72 stops and 2 QB bags…
Juniors—Raymond Cruz and Giovanni Downer, are the primary air traffic controllers in 2022 after securing playing time as 10th graders and uniting to record 53 tackles!
The “New Look” Cardinals are not to find out real quick how well their gifted, but not yet proven fresh faces adapt to greater responsibilities….Straight out of the gate (September 10th), they host defending league and state champs, Iona Prep!