Kevin A’Hearn – Page 9

NYC Spring Series Week 2 Players of the Week

April 28, 2021

By Matt Diano: Elijah Fuentes (Sr.); DL – Cardinal Hayes Cardinals A year ago, Coach CJ O’Neil’s Cardinals were mere moments away from hoisting a Catholic League State title before a Canisius touchdown pass (and 2pt conversion) with no time remaining on the clock ripped their hearts out…The memories of that loss are now serving as the inspiration behind what very much appears to be the best defensive unit the school has boasted in quite some time…Surrendering just 32 points total during the first two weeks of the 2021 spring (after allowing an average of 22+ in 2019) en route to victories over Monsignor Farrell & St. Peter’s, the defending NYCHSFL Triple-A champs are looking unbeatable at the halfway point of their abridged season…Acting as the heartbeat for these “pillars of pain” is the Syracuse University bound defensive lineman out of the Bronx [Fuentes]…Regarded as one of the top-10 in-state

NYC Spring Series Week 1 Players of the Week

April 21, 2021

Joshua Bagwell (Sr.); QB – Holy Cross Knights Looking at the NYC week #1 schedule, it would not have been surprising to hear most pundits predict that that a senior signal caller would put on a show and unequivocally be rewarded with POTW honors in the battle of Queens between Holy Cross and Christ the King…However, what many of these insiders are now humbly forced to confess (myself included) is that while we were correct on the position, we missed on the individual…With all of the attention focused squarely on seeing what 247 Sports #1 rated NYS QB/2x All-Catholic/2019 1st-Team All-Stater, Noah Bodden, would do as an opening act in 2021, instead it was his counterpart [Bagwell] that owned the night en route to leading the Knights to the decisive 34-12 triumph last Friday…Completing nine of 14 throws for a sum of 111 yards, the 5’10, 150-pounder out of Springfield

LI/West Bowl Game Players of the Week

April 20, 2021

By Matt Diano: Maximus Mongelli (Sr.); WR/DB – Kellenberg Memorial Firebirds Last Friday marked the “last hurrah” for one of the most prolific families in Kellenberg and/or NYCHSFL history when the 6’0, 180-pound two-way player out of Port Washington [Mongelli] became the last of his four brothers to don the Blue & Gold for a final occasion in his school’s 35-25 road victory against St. John the Baptist…Dating back to the 2013 season, the quartet of “ginger gems” (Michael: 2013/2014, Marco: 2015/2016, Matthew: 2017/2018, Maximus: 2019/2021) racked up 150+ catches, over 3,000 yards of receiving output and were responsible for 35 touchdowns on behalf of the Firebirds…The latter three brethren combined to earn POTW honors four times (Max being the only 2x recipient; previously during the 2019 AA semifinals), with the last two leading KMHS to a pair of “AA” crowns in 2017 and 2018 (Matthew), as well as a

Spring Week 5 CHSFL Players of the Week

April 14, 2021

By Matt Diano: Jayden Jenkins (Sr.); RB – Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders As we rapidly approach the conclusion of our abbreviated spring season, it is to be expected that all of our student-athletes are undergoing the process of taking stock in what they have achieved during these six weeks of competition…For our seniors, this reflection often comes in a much deeper form as they ponder the thought that the “next time” is the “final time” they will ever put on that jersey and represent their high school…With these sentiments in mind, it Is natural to want to have that career-day down the stretch so as to leave a legacy that will echo in the hallways long after you have stopped walking them…For the 5’10, 175-pound Bronx resident [Jenkins], no matter what happens in this week, he can rest assured that his place in the proverbial circle is secure following a monster

Spring Week 4 CHSFL Players of the Week

April 7, 2021

By Matt Diano: Jaden Sinclair (Sr.); WR/DB/Specialist – Holy Trinity Titans This past Thursday, the 5’10, 165-pound senior triple-threat sure put the “special” in specialist in propelling the Titans into the win column behind a 40-14 road victory over defending NYCHSFL “A” champions, Kennedy Catholic…Accruing in excess of 200 yards of total output with the ball in the hands, Sinclair’s explosive track & field speed was indisputable, as evident by the countless kick and/or punt returns that he sprung for 20 or more yards…On two occasions, the 2019 All-Catholic honoree had his proverbial jets firing on so many cylinders that he successfully fielded the pigskin, cut wide, and then turned on the burners until he had reached the “land of milk, honey, and 6 points.”…The first of his pair of touchdown-yielding returns came in the 2nd quarter when he answered a Gael score (to tie the score at 7-7) by

Spring Week 3 CHSFL Players of the Week

March 30, 2021

By Matt Diano: Will Currid (Fr.); QB – Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders The mere knowledge of stepping into a tradition that has seen the previous four predecessors earn All-State recognition can be enough to rattle even the moist poised and gifted of prospects…Now imagine having to undertake this role as a FRESHMAN…This is precisely the situation that the 6’1, 165-pound field general out of Cross River [Currid] faced in a varsity debut loss in week #1 to St. Anthony’s. And while he performed quite admirably (10-for-15, 142 yards, 1 TD pass), you could tell from the game film that this young man had another gear in which he could go…The question of how long it would take for the former Harlem Jet to ascend was answered in expeditious fashion this past Saturday…THE FUTURE IS NOW THE PRESENT; The stud has arrived!! Demonstrating pinpoint accuracy from start to finish, the rookie signal

CHSFL Players of the Week Spring Edition #1

March 25, 2021

THE WAIT IS OVER….Following an extended absence from the hard-nosed, “leave it all on the field”, “play for the name on the front of the jersey” excellence that we have all come to expect and cherish from the student-athletes in the NYCHSFL, action finally resumed on the 12th of March this year…And while the landscape has been significantly altered (only eight teams are competing right now) due to on-going restrictions throughout the five boroughs, we speak for all Catholic football enthusiasts when we proclaim that we are appreciative that even a sample of the amazing young gentlemen representing us have been afforded this privilege of engaging in the sport they love! As is our tradition, the Catholic High School Football League Metropolitan New York remains firm in our commitment to always shine the proverbial spotlight on today’s starts/tomorrow’s living legends! Honored for exemplify individual performances during the opening two weekends

CHSFL Opening Night – Iona Prep vs. Kellenberg

March 13, 2021

At 6 pm tonight Kellenberg and Iona Prep will take the field at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex in Uniondale, Long Island. The game will mark the official opening of the 2020 CHSFL football season. It’s odd to say 2020 when the first game of the CHSFL season is being played on March 13, 2021. But here we are. A “full slate” of games will be played next weekend. (Date, sites and times TBD) The “full slate” of games requires context. Due to continued restrictions in New York City fourteen league members are unable to begin their season. While the NYC members of the CHSFL await clearance the Westchester and Long Island members of the CHSFL will take the field and provide a glimpse of a return to normalcy. It is hoped that in the coming weeks the full slate of games will include all CHSFL member schools. Please note:

CHSFL Mourns the Passing of Longtime Cardinal Spellman Coach Joe Desimone

October 22, 2020

Please pray for the soul of Joseph Desimone. Longtime Cardinal Spellman Coach Joe Desimone has past away. Coach Desimone led the Falcoln’s to the “A” championship game three times, winning the title in 2006 and 2008. In addition, Coach Desimone was a member of the CHSFL Board of Governors. The funeral arrangements are as follows: Wake: Sunday Oct 25th from 1-6 at Sisto Funeral Home Funeral Mass: Monday Oct 26th at 11:30 at St Benedicts Church Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

NYCHSFL to Sponsor Flag Fall Season Before Spring Season

September 17, 2020

The Catholic High School Football League of Metropolitan New York, following the guidance of the New York State CHSAA, has decided to move our Fall 2020 season to March and April, 2021. Specific dates and schedules will be announced at a later date. The New York State CHSAA has approved the addition of 7 v 7 Flag Football league for the Fall 2020 season. Practice is permitted to commence on Sept 21. Contests will begin weekend of Oct 10th. Further details and schedules for the league will be available soon.

Author: Kevin A'Hearn