The CHSFL finals are all set! Next Saturday, November 18th the championships at all three levels will be settled at Fordham University’s Coffey Field. Here are the matchups.
Michael Cunnion Memorial Trophy – AAA CHSFL League Championship (6:00 pm)
(5) Cardinal Hayes v. (2) Iona Prep
Fifth seed Cardinal Hayes has traversed two of the most difficult league sites to make it to the AAA league championship game. Hayes (8-2) took on the fourth seeded Friars of St. Anthony’s (6-4) under the glare of the Friday night lights and dominated in a 42-14 ouster of the defending champs. Next the Hayes took on top seed Archbishop Stepinac (8-3) and were able to stave off a late game charge by the Crusaders to secure a 29-26 win. Cardinal Hayes is looking to capture its first title since 2019 and their fifth league championship.
Second Seed Iona Prep (8-3) took on third seed Monsignor Farrell (8-3) on Friday night and defeated the Lions by a score of 35-13. The Gael force defense stifled the Lions on their way to the championship game for the third straight year. The Gaels are looking to capture their fifth league title.
Joseph Lamas Memorial Trophy – AAI Championship (2:30 pm)
(2) St. John the Baptist v. (1) Moore Catholic
Both second seed St. John the Baptist and top seed Moore Catholic had stunning but not surprising victories this year over AAA opponents. Now the two AA powerhouses will faceoff in the AAI championship game. This will be the first meeting between the two schools this season.
Moore Catholic (7-4) stood its ground defensively in its quarter final and semi final wins allowing only 8 points total. Moore shutout Xavier 28-0 to earn its spot in the AA final. This will be Moore Catholics third straight trip to the AA I championship game. This year after two years as the runner up Moore hopes to capture its first AA I title. Moore won the 2019 AA II championship and two A titles in 2003 and 2016.
St. John the Baptist (6-4) arrives in the AA I championship, as it is currently constituted, for the first time. St. John the Baptist did so by convincingly defeating the seventh seed Christ the King (35-12) and third seed St. Peter’s (27-14). The Cougars legacy of championship runs the gamut of the CHSFL. The Cougars have won four A championships and have captured the league championship five times. They last appeared in the AA II championship game in 2021 losing to Holy Trinity 21-10.
Thomas Murray Trophy – AAII Championship (11:00 am)
(2) Xavierian v. (1) Mount Saint Michael
This game will feature the top seed Mountaineers of Mount Saint Michael. Head Coach Mario Valentini brings his squad into this game with the hopes on winning his first league title since his 2009 team captured the AA II championship. Under Coach Valentini’s leadership Mount has captured three League championship (1992, 1996 & 1997). This year squad had to staved off third seed Kennedy Catholic (26-12) to advance to the championship.
Mount (7-2) will take on the second seed Clippers of Xaverian. Xaverian (6-4) battled third seed Holy Cross (4-6) to a regulation tie and was able to survive with a 21-14 overtime win. Xaverian won the A title in 2015 and AA title in 2006.