CHSFL predictions, Week 4

By DYLAN BUTLER and JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

St. John the Baptist @ Xavier  Saturday, October 2nd 7:15 p.m.

Butler: Xavier broke out of its schneid last week, but it was far from pretty, beating Bishop Ford, 12-6. St. John the Baptist fell behind 20-6 to winless Cardinal Spellman before holding on to a 25-20 victory. Both teams can run the ball – Xavier has Brent Scardapane and its tough single-wing offense, while the Cougars are led by Darrelle Hunter, who racked up 345 yards and three touchdowns vs. the Pilots. Scardapane told me to stick with Xavier last week and it paid off. I’m letting it ride. Pick: Xavier

Staszewski: The Knights are starting to find their rhythm offensively, even if their running game hasn't quite hit its stride yet. Coach Chris Stevens has found a field-stretching weapon in receiver Patrick O'Grady. Running back Derelle Hunter and the Cougars are coming off a thrilling 25-20 come-from-behind win over Cardinal Spellman, after trailing by 14 points. Xavier won’t allow them back into the game if they fall behind early.
Pick: Xavier

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LEAGUE of METROPOLITAN NEW YORK

Nominee: Brent Scardapane                                                        School: Xavier High School

Other Sports & Honors
In both his Freshman and Sophomore years, Brent was a three season athlete playing Football, Basketball and Baseball. In his Freshman year, he was the MVP of the Freshman Basketball Team and he won the Golden Glove Award for the Freshman Baseball Team.

Knights ride past SJB in 2-OT thriller

By JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Matt Cilmi couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

The Xavier free safety knew exactly what was coming with St. John the Baptist looking for a 2-point conversion to send the game to a third overtime. It wasn’t what he expected after Cougars running back Derelle Hunter shredded the Knights defense for most of the evening, but receiver Dillon Pugh's stance tipped off it was a passing play.  "I couldn't believe they weren’t going to hand it off to [Hunter]," Cilmi said. "I saw my guy come off his block. I knew the whole time it was going to him. It was me and him one-on-one."

The junior stayed with Pugh to the back right corner of the end zone. He knocked down Gregory Egan's pass with his right hand to the joy of the raucous Xavier faithful, who were lined two rows deep near the team's sideline inside the 10. The stop sealed the Knights thrilling 36-34 double-overtime Homecoming win over the Cougars in a CHSFL Class AA-A contest Saturday night at Aviator Sport Complex.  "It's unexplainable," Cilmi said of the feeling of the ball hitting his hand. "These kinds of games you can't even explain in words."  Especially when you believe you've already lost.

St. John the Baptist, which trailed 21-7 at the half, drove 80 yards in less than four minutes behind Hunter (35 carries, 202 yards). It still appeared to have the game in hand when Austin Kraft lined up a 24-yard field after the Knights defense stopped the senior on third down. Instead the ball hit off the left upright and was no good. It gave Xavier (2-2, 2-1) new life in a situation they relish playing in because overtime drives start at the 10.  "I thought we lost," Knights coach Chris Stevens said. "I know how well they kick….I was like well we put up a good fight. Then he banked it on the post and I was, 'Overtime, that's our business."  Added running back Brent Scardapane: "Ten yards, four plays, we don’t think anyone can stop us."

Hunter and Scardapane traded rushing touchdowns in the first overtime. In the 2nd overtime, Scardapane punched another one in, his fourth TD of the game, from three yards out and then ran in the 2-point point conversion. Stevens said he made the decision because he felt he was "pressing his luck" trying to get into a kicking game with St. John the Baptist (1-3, 1-2), which came back to beat Cardinal Spellman last week.  "I like a coach that has confidence in us to get two and half yards." Scardapane said. "We play power football."

There wasn't a reason not to have confidence in the junior back. He rushed for 93 yards on 19 carries and also had an interception. Xavier jumped ahead 14-0 midway through the first quarter after Nicholas Conte, who was 8-of-13 for 100 yards, hit Joe Corrado for an 8-yard score and a fumble recovery set up a 15-yard TD run from Scardapane. He also added a 1-yard scoring run with 1:41 left in the first half to make the score 21-7.  "The lineman really drove the pile," Scardapane said. "I was just trying to keep my legs moving."

Hunter ran the opening kickoff of the second half back 80 yards for a touchdown. Egan later hit Pugh in the back right corner of the end zone to complete a 19-play, 98-yard drive to help tie the score at 21-21 less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.  But overtime would remain Xavier time thanks to Cilmi, even if his coach didn’t see it. He didn't have to.  "I wasn’t watching the last 2-point conversion," Stevens said. "I waited for the reaction of the crowd. That's what told me who won."

 Good afternoon, Xavier Nation.