Thomas Lent (Sr.); FB/LB – Xavier Knights
Stuck in the midst of a four-year drought in their annual Turkey Bowl rivalry with the Rams of Fordham Prep; the Knights knew that if they were to change their fortune; it was going to require a BIG BANG…
Fortunately for Xavier; they don’t grow/come much bigger in a NYCHSFL offensive backfield than the 6’2, 235-pounder out of the Big Apple [Lent]…
Utilized primarily as a tight end during the course of his swan song campaign; Lent would transition to the RB/FB spot during an abbreviated postseason (loss to Moore Catholic in the AA-1 quarters) run; and he delivered in each of his two appearances in this capacity…
On the heels of a 107-yard/3TD rushing (17 attempts) performance in the already cited postseason loss to the Mavericks; the blocker turned locomotive proved to be even finer in his encore outing, as he’d shatter his career-best from just weeks earlier by chugging along to the tune of 195 yards and an additional three TDs (19 carries) to propel his school to a commanding 28-0 triumph in the 101st edition of one of the oldest/most cherished scholastic athlete traditions in the nation…
Xavier already enjoying an 8-0 edge (Lent provided the 2pt conversion after a 16-yard TD run by Aydin Mora); the strapping lad broke through for the first of what would be three consecutive scores between the 1st and 2nd quarters when on 3rd & Long, he’d busted through the hole and paraded 37 yards to the promised land to increase the lead to 14-0 in the opening stanza…
Assisted by gainers of 10, 9, and 17 from fellow senior, Jerry Kuharski, that moved the ball from the Knights 42 to inside the opposing 22; Lent later cashed for touchdown #2 of the morning when he took the hand-off out of the Wildcat formation, cut slightly to the right, and cruised rather untouched from a distance of 6-yards away to further inflict damage (22-0; added another 2pt conversion on the ground)!
The completion of the natural hat trick occurring on what was by far his most impressive trek of the Holiday; with the Knights facing a 3rd & 13 on their own 41, Lent took the direct snap wide around the right end after encountering green pastures; he’d out-race a band of Ram defenders en route to a 59-yard house call to tally his 22nd individual point and round out the team’s scoring….
Clearly not satisfied with his domination on offense; in the 2nd half; Lent also contributed to the collective defensive goose-egg, as he’d record a tackle short of the sticks on 4th down to create a T.O.D. inside the Knight 28 to quell one of FP’s most promising marches!!
The shutout was the first pitched by the Knights in the century-plus old sage since 2013 (33-0)!!!
Lent will forever remember his last game donning the colors; as his effort garners him his first-ever POTW honors!
Kahmari Valentine (Sr.); DL/RB – Cardinal Hayes Cardinals
In what was a “farewell” to a brilliant four-year varsity career on behalf of Hayes’ Nation; the reigning NYCHSFL AAA Lineman of the year [Valentine] put forth one final banner day in the Cardinal and Gold colors to vault his school to an 11th straight Turkey Bowl triumph (22-0) over Mount St. Michael Academy!
Years of selflessly spotlighting on offense as a lead-blocker in their jumbo package would not go unrewarded on Thanksgiving, as finally, the time came for #99 to have his number called on the carry…
The battle for Bronx bragging rights still scoreless at the time; it was the 317-pounder bulldozing his way 5-yards into the end zone with 7:35 remaining in the opening half to give Hayes’ the 8-0 lead…
In no way neglecting his “bread and butter” responsibilities on the defensive side of the line, Valentine emerged with one of his strongest single-day resumes, as his three TFLs are believed to be a career-best; while his 8 stops in total were just short of tying his personal-high based on data available on MaxPreps…
Exhibiting explosive and nimble skill sets not common to a man of his size; on the Mountaineers second possession of the morning; Valentine would come close to generating a turnover; as he shot into the MSM backfield and in the process of stuffing the Mountaineer QB on a keeper, he stripped the ball…A Mount player was able to recover the loose pigskin; but the loss of yardage that resulted did not derail the series and eventually induced a punt!
His consistent invasion of the backfield continuing into the 2nd half; on the first MSM series of the 3Q; he met the ball-carrier head-on and stopped him in his proverbial tracks for no gain to foster a 3rd & 10 situation that turned into a punt two snaps later…
Recently the recipient of scholarship offers from the likes of Long Island University and Central Connecticut State; the good news has been habitual for the “Maddog”, as he is now a three-time POTW nominee (previously recognized during week #4 of the ‘24 season; as well as earned Defensive MVP acclaim during the 2023 NYCHSAA State title win)!