Catholic League football is back! I started my weekend watching a clash in Somers between Kennedy Catholic vs Mount St. Michael, and spent my afternoon following both of my Games of the Week– St. Peter’s vs Fordham Prep, and Kellenberg Memorial vs Cardinal Hayes. I ended my evening with the Xavier vs Holy Cross game. The Mount triumphed in Somers. The Firebirds put up a fight. The Rams were a wrecking ball on the ground, and Xavier asserted themselves over Holy Cross.
Coach Redzone Rick is no longer undefeated! Though I have made some comments about how he seems to be picking and choosing his matchups, I do appreciate the more in depth look at each game, and he has chosen some very tough match ups.
Coach X and O and I seem to be neck and neck with our picks.
Anyways, onto the results:
Mount St. Michael 28-Kennedy Catholic 13;
All eyes were on the ‘AA-II’ this Friday, or at least mine were as the Mount traveled up 33 miles north to take on the Gaels from Somers. And the story would be Victor Declet, and the Mount running game that asserted themselves well. Victor Declet broke through first with a 17 yard touchdown run to put the Mountaineers up 7-0 less than 4 minutes into the game. After a 1st quarter ended with this score, the Kennedy defense forced a FG attempt, and the kick was no good. The Gaels were not able to get anything going, and Mount was able to capitalize just before the half. Declet ran the ball into the endzone from 2 yards out to go into halftime up 14-0. Mount would continue the scoring in the 3rd quarter after defensive stands by Kennedy. Declet would run the ball into the endzone from 15 yards out with 3:12 left in the 3rd quarter. Jimenez would find Jamir Abney in the endzone for a 24 yard touchdown to push the lead to 28-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Gaels would not go down fighting though, Joseph DeSocio broke through on a big run run early in the 3rd quarter, then punched the ball into the endzone from 5 yards out to cut the lead to 28-7 with 9:03 left. Dominick Tassone lasered a ball to Austin Lanara from who ran away from everybody for a huge gain to the Mount 20 yard line. A few plays later Tassone would fine Lanara in the endzone to cut the lead to 28-13. It would be too little too late for Kennedy as the final score would hold. Victor Declet had 18 carries for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Jacob Jimenez was 14-22 for 161 yards and a touchdown. Jamir Abney would add to his season total with 6 catches, 73 yards, and a key touchdown late. Kennedy Catholic stays at home, and welcomes Xaverian to Somers. The Mount returns home to play Cardinal Spellman.
St. Dominic’s 42-Nazareth Regional 2;
A demolition in Oyster Bay. St. Dominic’s get off to a roaring start, taking care of business at home against a very young Kingsmen team that was still getting their feet wet. It would be the Kingsmen that would get on the board first. After forcing a punt, the snap would go over the Bayhawk punter’s head and out of the endzone for a safety. Though, after some early jitters, the Bayhawks would get to work. Pushing the Kingsmen back, a poor snap on a punt gave the Bayhawks ball on the 1 yard line. Anthony Branscum would pound the football in to give St. Dominic’s the lead 8-2. After forcing a punt, St. Dominic’s would score again. After runs by Branscum and quarterback Ray Minson, a jet sweep would Maurice Daniels from 5 yards out would extend the lead to 14-2 just before the 1st quarter expired. On their next possession Minson would throw deep on 4th down from the 27, and the pass was caught by Nick Lang for a touchdown to go up 21-2. Branscum would score on a 5 yard touchdown on their next possession to go up 27-2. An interception by Paul Lawenson was returned for a touchdown to make it 34-2. In the second half, Branscum would add another touchdown on an interception returned for a touchdown to round out the scoring. Nazareth has some things to work out on special teams and on the operation of their offense. They face Holy Cross next week at Aviator Field. St. Dominic’s travel to Juniper Valley Park to play Christ the King.
Christ the King 17-Cardinal Spellman 6;
The new era Christ the King Royals would open their first league game with a win against the Pilots. After a tough few weeks, Christ the King would get a win. And it was an important win for the program that seemed to be reeling after two tough losses. After exchanging two punts, the Royal offense came to life with a big pass over the middle to get the ball down to the Pilot 11 yard line. The Royals would capitalize running the ball into the endzone just two plays later to take a 7-0 lead. After an errant kick return, the Royals would again possess the ball deep in Pilot territory. The teams would battle for the rest of the quarter with Spellman getting a turnover on downs as the 1st quarter expired. Both defenses were stingy over the next portion of the game, exchanging punts on 3 and outs. After this, an errant pitch on a promising Spellman drive turned the ball over, only for the Royals to have a turnover themselves on their next play. On the Pilots next drive, Walker hit some receivers on some good plays to get the ball across the 40. Unfortunately, disaster struck as the Royals defense forced another fumble, which was scooped up and brought back 45 yards for a touchdown to put Christ the King up 14-0. The half would end soon after. Cardinal Spellman started with the ball in the 2nd half from their own 44 yard line, and they would hit paydirt here. A give to Jayson Maynard would go up the gut for 49 yards for a Pilot touchdown to cut the lead to 14-6 early in the 3rd quarter. The next Royals drive would be a grinder. With a few pinpoint passes from their quarterback, and the majority of the damage done on a grinding running game, the Royals were able to convert a 30 yard field goal to make it 17-6. A validating win for their efforts playing MIFL powers the first few weeks, Christ the King’s young core now prepares for a red hot St. Dominic’s team as they welcome them to Juniper Park in Queens Friday afternoon. Cardinal Spellman has some things to clean up, but stays in the Bronx this week as they travel to Mount St. Michael.
St. John the Baptist 27-St. Francis Prep 6;
The Cougars are quietly, or not so quietly, making their case to be one of the best teams in the ‘AA-I’. They are now 3-0 and have won all three of those games quite convincingly. St. Francis Prep came into this game on a high, winning a tough Battle of the Boulevard game last week. This game would be a tough, physical game from both defenses, and was a battle for field position for most of the contest. After forcing a punt, the Cougars would drive the ball deep into aided by a big run by quarterback Devin Michaels, and a big pass play on 3rd down from Michaels to Shane McLaughlin. Kalen Percer capitalized with a 1 yard touchdown run to go up 6-0 in the 1st quarter. The Cougar defense forced St. Francis Prep into long situations and early on, and they would take advantage. A Brian Gleason throw was intercepted by Finn Hansen on 3rd and long. A penalty on the return would give the Cougars the ball on their own 38 yard line. And this is where the 1st quarter would end with the Cougars nursing a 6-0 lead. The Terrier defense would stuff the Cougars and get the ball in Baptist territory. But disaster would strike. With Quarterback Frank Quartarolo back in the game, a swing pass would bounce off a Terrier running back’s hands and would be intercepted by Chris Trinca, who raced 51 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 13-0. On the next Terrier drive, Brandon Hunter would haul in an interception on 4th down on a deep pass and SJB would take over from their 5 yard line, essentially pinning the Cougars deep. A short punt would give the Terriers the ball at the Cougar 32 yard line. St. Francis Prep would make them pay. A big run from Justin Davis advanced the ball inside the 10 yard line on a run play. Roderick Fordham Jr. followed this with a 8 yard run to the 2 yard line. And the drive was capped by a 2 yard run by Guiseppe Marando to cut the lead to 13-6. St. John the Baptists drove ball down the field on their next drive down the the 8 yard line after a sensation catch by Hunter, but the Terrier defense would hold them as Michael Vastarelli came up with a timely interception. This lead would hold into halftime. St. John the Baptist would operate quickly in the 2nd half. Kalen Percer would take the kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown for the Cougars to take a 20-6 lead early in the 3rd quarter. A tough, physical game, both offenses drove the ball on the next few drives, and the 3rd quarter ended with Cougars leading 20-6. The dagger would come on 4th and 11 for St. John the Baptist. Michaels lofted a pass deep for Nicolas Mastriano who hauled in a 29 yard touchdown to make it 27-6. The Cougars would shut down the Terrier attack for the rest of the day and get away with the win. St. Francis Prep has a tough matchup next, facing off against ‘AAA’ foe, Chaminade at Mitchel Field. St. John the Baptist stays at home. Fordham Prep comes to down next week.
Monsignor Farrell 28-Chaminade 3; A rematch of the ‘AAA’ semifinals from a year ago, the Lions would this time go to Mineola. Red hot, the Lions would start quickly. Jayden Burch would burst early to get the ball across midfield. From the 30 yard line, Burch would explode for a touchdown to make it 7-0 with 6:52 left in the 1st quarter. On the last play of the 1st quarter, David Leverock stepped in front of a Carnevale pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown to go up 14-0 as the 1st quarter ends. The Farrell defense would clamp down on the Flyers for much of the 2nd quarter. Both offenses traded blows, stalling in the 2nd quarter. But it was a combination of Anthony Trapani, Sean Carnavele, and Michael Genovese that would guide the offense down the field just before halftime. Kellen Stapleton hit a 42 yard field goal and the game would go into halftime 14-3. After halftime, Bryce Moye would guide the Lions down the field with on target passes to Joseph Augustine-Martino. Charles Costanzo would pound the ball into the endzone on a sweep for a 1 yard touchdown to take a 21-3 lead. After a good return, a field goal attempt would be blocked by Braxton Moye to preserve the lead at 21-3 to end the 3rd quarter. The dagger would come early in the 4th quarter as Bryce Moye would hit Costanzo in the flat, would turn up field and score from 38 yards out to extend the lead to 28-3 with 9:30 remaining. Monsignor Farrell is on the road again, facing Iona Prep in a pivotal ‘AAA’ matchup. Chaminade is on the road, but staying on the island, playing St. Francis Prep at Mitchel Field.
Fordham Prep 41-St. Peter’s 21;
An important game for both teams as both of them have had a tough beginning of the season. St. Peter’s would be without Victor Baez, whose season ended with an ACL tear in their win vs Hudson Catholic. Still though, it looked to be a offensive explosion to start. Anthony D’Acunto and the Eagles would strike first as Aaron Vazquez hauled in a 38 yard strike to make it 7-0 on their first possession. The Rams would set the tone early though. A handoff to Luke McKay would advance the ball from their own 16 yard line to the STP 29 yard line, a gain of 55 yards. McKay would finish the drive a few plays later, exploding through the middle for a 21 yard touchdown to tie the game at 7 less than 6 minutes into the game. The Eagles would strike back with Anthony D’Acunto, and Anthony Papacena matriculating the ball down the field with some tough running. The 4 minute drive was capped off by a 1 yard run by Papacena to take a 14-7 lead with 2:40 left in the quarter. The Rams of Rose Hill would respond on their next offensive play. After running up the gut successfully, they ran a jet sweep to Lake Chiesi, who darted up the sideline past everyone for a 74 yard touchdown to tie the game at 14. Finally forcing a punt, the Rams would inch the ball down the field, aided by defensive penalties, Vincent DiPasquale would find Ryan McEvily in the endzone from 12 yards out to take the lead with 5:45 left in the half. The defense would clamp down, and with just a few minutes before the end of the half, DiPasquale would throw a screen pass to Lake Chiesi, who ran by everyone for 71 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 28-14. The ground game would control the game for the Rams in the 3rd quarter as they marched the ball down the field on their second possession. Luke McKay would find the endzone again from 20 yards out to extend the lead to 34-14 with 4 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. George Jackson Jr. would get into the game late in the 3rd quarter, and would run the ball into the endzone from 5 yards out to put the game out of reach as the 4th quarter began. D’Acunto would find Vazquez in the endzone for a late 13 yard touchdown to cut into the lead with 4:25 left, but the score would hold at 41-21. D’Acunto would play well, going 8-16 for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, and adding 35 yards rushing on the ground. Aaron Vazquez was his primary target, hauling in 6 catches for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the ground Anthony Papacena (16 carries ,90 yards, 1 touchdown), and Matt Thompson (5 carries, 37 yards) would make up the bulk of the ground game. On the Rams side, they dominated the ground game, chewing up 316 yards on the ground on just 28 carries. Luke McKay would lead the way with 20 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Lake Chiesi would add 3 carries for 78 yards, and a touchdown, and George Jackson Jr. added 41 yards on 3 carries and a touchdown. Vincent DiPasquale threw 6 passes all game, completing 4 of them for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns. St. Peter’s hits the road next as they go up to Columbia to face Cardinal Hayes. Fordham Prep stays on the road as well going out to St. John the Baptist in an important ‘AA-I’ clash.
St. Anthony’s 48-Archbishop Stepinac 42;
Fireworks would be early and often in an afternoon classic in White Plains. St. Anthony’s and Stepinac, the owners of the last two dynasties in the NYCHSFL clashed in White Plains, and it would be a back and forth affair. Anthony Diieso and the Friars struck first. Diieso found Rory McDermott for a 64 yard touchdown on the 2nd play of the game to go up 7-0. After an errant play on a punt, St. Anthony’s would take possession of the ball inside the Stepinac 20 yard line. A big interception by Marc Cook ended the Friar scoring threat and kept the score at 7-0. A big run by Nahum Pierre from the Stepinac 34 yard line would break to the St. Anthony’s 22 yard line. Pounding the football the rest of the way, the Crusaders would strike back with a 4 yard run by Pierre to not the game up at 7 with 5:04 left in the 1st quarter. The Friars would run their offense with Diieso distributing the ball to McDermott, and Cole Magro, and Xavier punishing the defense inside, converting a key 4th down to extend the drive. The quarter would end with a 4th and 3 from the Stepinac 22 yard line. Diieso would find space for a first down to extend the drive down to the 5 yard line. Xavier Bala would punch the ball into the endzone two plays later to go up 14-7. Stepinac would strike back, after big runs from Pierre and Chambers, Dylan Wrona would find Nicholas Harrison in the endzone for a touchdown from 13 yards out to cut the lead to 14-13 with 8:28 left in the 1st half. Diieso would guide the Friars down the field, aided by tough runs by Bala, he would find Luke Maurino from 6 yards out to stretch the lead to 20-13. Pierre would take over on the next drive, taking the ball from Stepinac’s own 25 yard line and barreling inside the Friar 15 yard line. The Friar defense would hold and the offense would get the ball back with just over 2:20 left in the 1st half. A big play from Diieso to Magro drove the ball to the Stepinac 12 yard line with 51 second left in the half. Maurino would haul in his second touchdown of the game from 8 yards out to extend the lead to 27-13 just before the half. Not content, the Crusaders, would run a middle screen to Nahum Pierre, who weaved through the St. Anthony’s defense 70 yards for a touchdown just before halftime to make it 27-20. Archbishop Stepinac would receive the ball to start the half and would take over at their own 43 yard line. Some timely passes to Gio Bowley and Harrison from Wrona drove the ball down to the 6 yard line. Pierre pounded the ball into the endzone for his 3rd touchdown of the day to tie it at 27 just 3 minute into the second half. After a stop, Stepinac would drive the ball with some big runs by Pierre (who else), but the drive would stall. James Lilly would boot a 30 yard field goal for Stepinac to take their first lead of the game 30-27 with 1:14 left in the 3rd quarter. Friars would take over though. Cole Magro would haul in a “head tap” pass over the top to drive the ball to the Stepinac 30 as the 3rd quarter ends. Bala would capitalize, scoring from 21 yards out to retake the lead 34-30. The Friar defense would come up big. Jake Harrs would come down with an interception to end the Stepinac drive early. After a big middle screen play to Magro, Bala would take a pitch play 23 yards to the 1 yard line, dragging 4 Stepinac defenders in his wake. He would punch the ball in 2 plays later for the Friars to take a commanding 41-30 lead in the 4th quarter. Pierre and Chambers would drag the Crusaders back. Big runs by Pierre set up Chambers with a 10 yard run to the 4. Chambers would find paydirt on the next play to cut the lead to 41-36 with 4:50 left. On the next play, Bala would take the ball up the gut for 78 yards from the 20 yard line to the Stepinac 2 yard line. Bala would take the ball into the endzone from 2 yards out to put the lead at 48-36. An injury to Wrona pressed Jahmai McNeil into duty. McNeil would find Harrison in the corner of the endzone for a 20 yard touchdown with 51 seconds left to cut the lead to 48-42. The Friars would cover the onside kick, and St. Anthony’s would escape White Plains with a win. Nahum Pierre continues his tear through the league, rushing for 330 yards on 26 carries and 2 touchdowns. Archbishop Stepinac stays at home as they welcome St. Joseph by the Sea next. St. Anthony’s goes up against Xavier at home next week on Friday night.
Iona Prep 44-St. Joseph by the Sea 13;
I could not get any information on this game other than stats, since it was not streaming. I know that it was 14-7 after the first quarter, with St. Joseph by the Sea scoring on a big play by Arthur McCarthy. Sal Leto would run the ball in late to end the scoring for Sea, but it seemed that Iona Prep would have their way with the Vikings. Jaydin Jackson was 7 for 13 for 176 yards and 4 touchdowns. His touchdowns would go to Lamar Lewis (2 catches, 41 yards, 1 touchdown), Trey Newton (2 catches, 66 yards, 1 touchdown) and Louis Katsihtis (3 caches, 69 yards, 2 touchdowns). On the ground, Chase Reeves led the way with 11 carries for 160 yards. Willie Reeves and Antwine Short would get on the board with touchdown runs. St. Joseph by the Sea has finished their first of two ‘AAA’ games in a row, and now travel to White Plains to take on the Crusaders. Iona Prep also stays home, and they prepare for a Friday night clash against Monsignor Farrell.
Cardinal Hayes 35-Kellenberg Memorial 34;
The Firebirds gave the Cardinals all they could handle in a wild game in Uniondale this past week. The Cardinals got on the board early as Johnnye Booker found Maison Martin on 4th down for a 22 yard touchdown to go up 7-0 in the first 4 minutes in the game. A controversial call on a supposed touchdown would keep the Firebirds off he board in the 1st quarter. A big play in the beginning of the 2nd quarter by Maison Martin would move the Hayesmen into the redzone. Kenzo Jackson would score from 3 yards out to open up a 13-0 lead with 8:57 left in the half. Kellenberg quarterback Brayden Farrelly hit Finn Hastings with a 15 yard touchdown just before halftime to cut the lead to 13-7. Both offenses would awaken in the 2nd half. Kellenberg would strike first with Brendan Barkley finishing off a drive with a 1 yard touchdown to take the lead 14-13. Booker would strike back next, finding Erik Drobnak for a 40 yard touchdown to take a 21-14 lead. Farrelly would strike next, finding Ryan Kuntz for a 66 yard touchdown. Kenzo Jackson would put Hayes back out in front with a 4 yard touchdown to go up 27-21. Quinn Saccheri would score a 5 yard touchdown on a toss play to retake the lead 28-27. Saccheri then extended the lead to 35-27 on a 60 yard touchdown run on a toss play with 6:18 left. The Hayesmen would come up with a big interception with 4:42 left in the gam. After another big play by Drobnak, Kymonni Valentine powered his way into the endzone to take a 35-34 lead with 3:24 left. Cardinal Hayes defense would come up big and they would escape Kellenberg with a victory. Kellenberg’s offense was remarkably balanced. Brayden Farrelly was 18 for 25 for 229 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Ryan Kuntz had a big game, hauling in 8 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, while Finn Hastings also had 2 catches, for 56 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, the Firebirds would rush for 232 yards on 35 carries. Barkely, Farrelly, Sacchieri all had over 60 yards rushing with Sacchieri leading the way with 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. Kellenberg is off next week, while Cardinal Hayes welcomes St. Peter’s to Columbia next.
Xavier 26-Holy Cross 0;
A short handed Holy Cross team would do battle with the ‘AA-I’ defending champion Xavier Knights on Saturday night. Coming off a loss in the Battle of the Boulevard, Holy Cross would be without two of their most important contributors on offense. Quarterback Madden Martinez would be sitting this week, as well as WR/RB/LB Caleb Rivera, the swiss army knife that Tim Smith relies on. Still though, the game must be played, and early on, it would be Holy Cross that would impress me. Despite the score, Holy Cross hung in tough. They actually moved the ball quite well on the ground. A big run from quarterback Joseph Alestra on 3rd and long got the ball down to the Xavier 19 yard line. Unfortunately, pressure from the Xavier defense forced a turnover on a interception by Bennett Friemuth. The Holy Cross defense would force a 3 and out, and Holy Cross would take over with 2:39 left in the 1st quarter. After two runs for 5 yards, Ace Jernstedt would make the difference. Jernstedt would step in front of a pass on a roll out from Alestra who runs it back 39 yards for a touchdown to make it 6-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. Holy Cross would drive the field, and Brandon Glaudin burst through for a touchdown, but it was called back due to a hold. This penalty would derail the drive as Holy Cross would be forced to punt. Xavier would take over at their own 8 yard line with 6:35 left in the half. Xavier’s offense would get work on this drive, chewing up over 6 minutes of clock Anthony Pierro punches the ball in from 1 yard out to go up 12-0 just before halftime. After halftime, Holy Cross forced a 3 and out on Xavier’s offense, but could not capitalize. Xavier would force a turnover on downs and take over from their own 35 yard line. Pierro would burst through after a big play to score a 26 yard touchdown to make it 19-0 with 4:44 left. Later in the quarter, after a botched kickoff return turns the ball over to Xavier, Cole Wallace would cruise for a 16 yard touchdown run to make it 26-0. Holy Cross will play at Aviator field again next week as they face off against Nazareth. Xavier travels to Long Island to play St. Anthony’s.
Here are next week’s matchups:
Christ the King vs St. Dominic’s
Cardinal Hayes vs St. Peter’s
Iona Prep vs Monsignor Farrell
St. Anthony’s vs Xavier
Xaverian vs Kennedy Catholic
Mount St. Michael vs Cardinal Spellman
Archbishop Stepinac vs St. Joseph by the Sea
St. John the Baptist vs Fordham Prep
Nazareth vs Holy Cross
St. Francis Prep vs Chaminade
BYE: Kellenberg Memorial
Note: That all games unless otherwise specified are official League Games
My Take on week 2:
In the ‘AAA’
Iona Prep takes care of business. Their big game next week will tell us a lot about the NYCHSFL.
Monsignor Farrell continues to roll as well. Can they challenge the Gaels? We will find out next week.
Trying to run a track meet with St. Anthony’s seems to be a fool’s errand for the NYCHSFL. The Friars offense is just too tough to keep bottled up. Their defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Stepinac impressed. Pierre is one of the best backs in the league as he closes in on 1,000 total yards just 4 games into the season. Questions surrounding their defense remains. They have a chance this week to right the ship.
Cardinal Hayes escapes with a with a win from Uniondale. Perhaps too close for comfort. The Hayesmen will look to assert more dominance over their ‘AA-I’ opponents when they welcome St. Peter’s to Columbia this week.
Chaminade’s offense needs to put it together. Hit by the injury bug early, along with a bevy of tough opponents to start, the Flyers have an opportunity to right the ship with a game against St. Francis Prep.
In the ‘AA-I’
Kellenberg fought valiantly against a very talented opponent in the Hayesmen. The Firebirds look dangerous this year. They just have so many ways on offense to hurt you.
St. Joseph by the Sea faced a buzzsaw this past week. A possible bounce back game against the Crusaders is desperately needed, but can they pull the upset? It will rely on their defense.
St. John the Baptist takes care of business. With a well balanced attack through the air and the ground, an opportunistic defense, the Cougars are looking like championship contenders. They play a tough Fordham Prep team this week. The Rams are battle tested this year.
Fordham Prep’s ground game is the story. They kept the defense rested and on the sideline, while also providing a spark. My question surrounds balance. Can the passing game complement them when necessary? A huge test is coming this week as they head to St. John the Baptist.
Xavier took care of business—but something felt off about them. The score is not indicative of the game, and I will stand by that. If they are going to have a chance vs the Friars this week, the offense will have to limit their 3 and outs.
St. Francis Prep was in the game in the second half, down just 13-6. This Terrier offense needs to produce more points and more yardage to help out the defense down the stretch. An important game against Chaminade looms large for the Terriers.
The injury bug and transfer portal is starting to rear its ugly head. St. Peter’s still probably has the best quarterback in the ‘AA-I’, and with that they’re never truly out of a game. They travel this week and pay Cardinal Hayes. This will be a difficult test for them.
Xaverian is back in action this week, heading up to Somers to play Kennedy Catholic.
In the ‘AA-II’
Holy Cross sat Caleb Rivera and Madden Martinez against a very good Xavier team. The offense looked good on the ground, with Brandon Glaudin punishing the Xavier defense all night. But the lack of diversity on offense hurt them down the stretch. A passing game of any semblance will be needed. Caleb Rivera also provides some optionality on offense, as well as reinforces that tough front seven.
Mount St. Michael took care of business in a very typical Mount game. They ran the ball and dominated the trenches. Victor Declet tore up the ground, and Jimenez complemented the ground game.
Christ the King had a strong showing, especially on defense. The offense played a careful, and mistake free game, showing a lot of maturing over the first 2 weeks. The Royals have an important game this week against St. Dominic’s.
Kennedy Catholic will get better. They have played 2 tough games. Unfortunately their season does not get any easier with the Clippers coming to town. Consistency on the ground, and a rhythm through the air is important early on for the Gaels.
Cardinal Spellman got some things going in their last game against the Royals, but they too made mistakes. Rhythm with receivers just seemed a bit off. They will need to get in sync this week as they visit their Bronx neighbors in the Mount.
St. Dominic’s did what they were supposed to do last week, and overwhelmed a young and inexperienced Nazareth team. Now they go to another team that has also played 3 games this year. St. Dominic’s looks to take the next step.
Nazareth will need to improve, and improve fast. They are in for a tough next few weeks, starting with Holy Cross.
See records below:
Pete’s Prognostication 2026: 38-12
Coach X and O’s Picks 2026: 33-17
Coach Redzone Rick’s Picks 2026: 4-1
The Community: 36-14