The road to the 2026 CHSFL AAA championship is officially set, and all eyes are on Iona Prep.
The two-time defending league and Catholic state champions enter the postseason with a perfect 9-0 record, the No. 1 seed, and an opportunity to accomplish something that hasn’t been done in AAA since St. Anthony’s three-peat from 2009 to 2011.
But standing between the Gaels and another championship are five programs determined to rewrite the script.
Iona Prep has been the standard
The Gaels have dominated their competition throughout the regular season, outscoring opponents 372-77 while recording victories over several of the league’s top contenders. Quarterback Jaydin Jackson and running back Chase Reeves have helped power an explosive offense, while a disciplined defense has made scoring opportunities difficult to find. Iona defeated Monsignor Farrell 24-9, shut out St. Anthony’s 49-0 and Cardinal Hayes 28-0, and closed the regular season with a convincing 34-7 victory over Archbishop Stepinac. With a first-round bye, the Gaels will await the winner of the Cardinal Hayes–Stepinac quarterfinal. The biggest question entering the postseason isn’t whether Iona deserves to be the favorite. It’s whether anyone can put together four quarters of football capable of knocking off the defending champions.
Cardinal Hayes and Stepinac meet with their seasons on the line
One of the opening round’s most intriguing matchups brings No. 5 Archbishop Stepinac (5-5) against No. 4 Cardinal Hayes (5-4) on Friday night at Columbia University’s Lawrence A. Wien Stadium. Both teams have shown flashes of their potential, but neither has consistently produced the results expected from programs accustomed to competing for championships. Hayes recorded notable victories over Kellenberg and Chaminade but struggled offensively in losses to Iona Prep and Monsignor Farrell. Stepinac has experienced similar inconsistencies, mixing impressive offensive performances with difficult losses against stronger competition. The reward for the winner is a semifinal matchup against Iona Prep. For both programs, the postseason represents an opportunity to reset expectations and rediscover the football that has made them perennial contenders.
St. Anthony’s and Chaminade prepare for another shootout
The other quarterfinal features No. 3 St. Anthony’s (5-4) hosting No. 6 Chaminade (3-7). Their October 16 meeting produced one of the wildest games of the CHSFL season, with St. Anthony’s escaping with a 49-48 victory. Chaminade quarterback Sean Carnevale threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns in that matchup. He enters the rematch with renewed momentum after leading the Flyers to a 28-21 victory over Fordham Prep in their regular-season finale. St. Anthony’s has demonstrated the ability to score in bunches, including 55 points against Cardinal Hayes in its final regular-season game. However, defensive inconsistency has left the Friars vulnerable. Whichever team establishes control defensively could determine the outcome of another potentially explosive contest. The winner advances to face second-seeded Monsignor Farrell.
Farrell waits for its opportunity
Monsignor Farrell enters the postseason at 9-1, with its only loss coming against Iona Prep. The Lions closed the regular season with five consecutive victories, including a 21-0 shutout of St. Joseph by the Sea. Quarterback Braxton Moye leads a balanced offensive attack, while Farrell’s defense has consistently provided the foundation for its success. For the Lions, a return to the championship game would create the possibility of another showdown against the team responsible for their only defeat.
The road to the title
The AAA bracket has two clear favorites, but the opening round presents opportunities for disruption. Iona Prep has earned the right to be considered the team to beat. Farrell has the record and talent to challenge the Gaels, while St. Anthony’s, Hayes, Stepinac, and Chaminade each have a chance to extend their seasons.
The quarterfinals begin November 6, followed by the semifinals the following weekend and the CHSFL championship on November 21. The regular season established the hierarchy. Now the playoffs will determine who deserves the crown.
