CHSFL predictions: Week 3

By MARC RAIMONDI and JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Bishop Ford vs. Xavier @ Aviator (Saturday, 7 p.m.)

Raimondi: I lost two games last week and in both I was made to look foolish. Xavier absolutely hammered Christ the King. The Knights were relentless and the Royals could do nothing to stop them. I placed entirely too much emphasis on Xavier’s 17-14, heartbreaking non-league loss to Pine Bush in Week 1. I won’t make the same mistake again. I don’t see the boys from Chelsea losing for quite a few weeks. Pick: Xavier

Staszewski: It was the same old story for Ford last week. Though improved, its defense remained stellar and it offense struggled to get going. The Knights on the other hand were a finely-tuned operation in a rout of Christ the King. Coach Chris Stevens might have his most athletic team in years and that means bad things for opponents. The Falcons will make things a bit tougher on Xavier than the Royals, but will be pressed for points. The Sons for Xavier march on. Pick: Xavier.

   
     
   
     
 




CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LEAGUE of METROPOLITAN NEW YORK

   

Player of the Week Nomination
 

Nominee: Brent Scardapane                                                      School: Xavier High School

Position: Running Back / Cornerback / Punter                      Opponent: Bishop Ford

Date of Game: 09/24/11  Ht. 5’11”  Wt. 175  Class: Sr.    Hometown: Chelsea , Manhattan

Details of nominees performance:
In a CHSFL AA-A Regular Season Game, Xavier defeated Bishop Ford 21 – 0 in a hard fought physical game to go 2-1 Overall and 2-0 in the CHSFL AA-A Division.  On offense, Brent Scardapane rushed for 133 yards on 21 carries scoring 2 touchdowns and he completed three passes for 42 yards, two of which kept scoring drives alive.  He also had an interception which he returned for 42 yards, a punt which pinned Bishop Ford inside their 15 yard line and a 20 yard punt return which were all important plays in a field position struggle which saw the score only 7-0 at halftime and 14-0 with Bishop Ford driving deep into Xavier territory with only 8 minutes left in the game.

Class Honors:
Brent has a 92+ average at Xavier and has achieved honor grades in 9 of 12 marking periods earning 2nd honors 6 times and 1st honors 3 times. 

League Honors:  
In his Freshman year, Brent was a captain and two way starter on Xavier’s Freshman Football team and he won the Best Offensive Player award for that team.  In his sophomore year, Brent played up on the varsity team returning kickoffs and punts.  In his Junior year, Brent won CHSFL Player of the Week honors vs. St. John the Baptist in a close 36-34 2 OT win, he was the 3rd leading scorer in the CHSFL with 20 touchdowns and 143 points, he was named Xavier team MVP for the 2010 season and he was chosen to the All Bronx/Manhattan team by both the New York Post and New York Daily News.

Other Sports & Honors
Brent has been a three season athlete playing Football, Basketball and Baseball in each of his three years at Xavier.  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.

 
     
   
     
   
     
 

 
     
 

 
     
 

 
     
   
     
 

 
     
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
     
   
     

Good afternoon, Xavier Nation. 

This is going to be quick because I have to get up to Travers Island.  New York Athletic Club is taking on Boston Rugby Football Club in the annual Remembrance Cup match honoring the three NYAC players lost on September 11th, including our own Sean Lugano '91.

 I'll have more to say about last weekend's games in the next E-Blast (along with all the other stuff I promised you yesterday... or was it the day before.  Hey, it's not my fault the mariners I insure keep sailing into things.), but for now I leave you with this thought:  last Saturday, The Team Formerly Known as the Kaydets (Est. 1882)... and then the Bruins... shut out Christ the King 43-0, even though the King of Queens had all sorts of offensive weapons, some of whom are being hotly pursued by Division I college programs.  So potent is the Christ the King O, that one of the New York Post writers picked against the 16th Street Kids and another said the game would be very close run thing.  This, I have to say, upset the little hoodlums.  And you just don't want to be doing that. 

Meanwhile, The Amazing Fantastic Gridiron Way Back Machine roared back to life, scoring 43 points— the largest margin of victory for Coach Chris Stevens's gridironmen since October 11, 2008, when Famous Seamus Kelly and his pals ran amuck against Cardinal Hayes 86-42.

This is going to be an interesting year, boys and girls.  See you tonight at Aviator!

Stand by...
Tom O'Hara '69 

CHSFL rankings: Post Week 3

By MARC RAIMONDI and JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

While there were no major upsets we did get a few thrilling football games and a ranking change from Week 3 action in the CHSFL.

Chaminade held on to beat Mount St. Michael, James Richardson threw a touchdown pass with no time left to lead Hayes over Christ the King and we welcome Xavier into the No. 9 spot in the rankings this week.

What we lacked in a primetime match up this weekend we make up for in Week 4. No. 2 Iona Prep visits No. 5 Xaverian and No. 1 St. Anthony’s heads to Queens to take on No. 4 Holy Cross. Throw in a Staten Island turf war between Farrell and Sea and you have an action-packed week that also includes the SATs

See how this week’s rankings shaped up:

1. St. Anthony’s (2-0) (Last week: 1)

Next man up. That certainly was the case for the Friars this week when running back Dariyan Riley reinjured his ankle Friday. Junior back Anthony Anderson stepped right in and rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown in a dominant 51-0 win over Fordham Prep. St. Anthony’s will now prepare for its biggest test to date when it visits No. 4 Holy Cross next week.

Next: @ No. 4 Holy Cross (Oct. 2, 3 p.m. @ Bayside)

2. Iona Prep (3-0) (2)

A shoulder injury to quarterback Mario Biaggi couldn’t hold Iona Prep down. Justin Combs stepped in and threw for 163 yards and a score and ran for two touchdowns on the ground to lead the Gaels to victory. Shaquille Townsend ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Iona can't it live up too long it welcomes Xaverian on Sunday.

Next: No. 5 Xaverian (Oct. 2, 1:30 p.m.)

3. Archbishop Stepinac (3-0) (3)

It wasn’t as easy as many expected, but the Crusaders won the rematch of last season’s Class AA title game 32-21 over Kellenberg. Vincent Narog had a breakout performance with 137 yards receiving, including a big 71-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Stepinac has proven itself in the 'AAA,' but road doesn’t get easier. A trip to Mount St. Michael to face one of the league’s best defenses is on tap.

Next: @ No.8 Mt. Michael (Oct. 1, 3 p.m.)

4. Holy Cross (3-0) (4)

Congratulations are in order to Knights coach Tom Pugh for picking up his 200th career win Sunday against Holy Trinity. It’s certainly a testament to all the time, effort and skill he’s put in over the years. Pugh can thank senior back Shyheim Wingate’s five touchdowns and another exceptional day from quarterback Yianni Gavalas. No. 201 won’t come so easy with St. Anthony’s marching its way to Bayside next week.

Next: No. 1 St. Anthony’s (Oct. 2, 3 p.m. @ Bayside)

5. Xaverian (2-1) (5)

Following a disappointing loss to Holy Cross, the Clippers feasted on St. Joseph by the Sea and got back on track in a big way. Laray Smith collected 203 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, including a 70-yard run. The balance to the offense returned as five different players scored. Xaverian remains on the road when it visits No. 2 Iona Prep.

Next: @ No. 2 Iona Prep (Oct. 2, 1:30 p.m. @ Kings Bay)

6. Fordham Prep (2-1) (6)

Like most teams that run into St. Anthony’s, the Rams will try to put a lopsided loss behind them. Fordham has plenty of talent, but its inexperience left it unready to take on a team like the Friars. Winless Kellenberg could provide the pick-me-up needed for coach Pete Gorynski’s team prior to a meeting with Iona Prep.

Next: @ Kellenberg (Oct. 2, 1 p.m. @ Hofstra)

7. Chaminade (2-1) (7)

League wins have been hard to come by for the Flyers in recent years and last week was no different. They took advantage of Mount St. Michael mistakes and watched John Despoli return a kickoff for a score to provide just enough offense for a thrilling 21-20 win. Coach Stephen Boyd’s team will look to make it two straight against winless Long Island rival Holy Trinity.

Next: Holy Trinity (Oct. 2, 1:30 p.m.)

8. Mount St. Michael (1-1) (8)

You could hear the disappointment in coach Mario Valentini’s voice after a turnover filled 21-20 loss to Chaminade, which included a key missed extra point. His team had put itself in a hole that it was unable to dig itself out of. Things certainly don’t get any easier with No. 3 Stepinac visiting The Bronx next week.

Next: No. 3 Archbishop Stepinac (Oct. 1 3 p.m.)

9. Xavier (2-1) (NR)

We have our first new team of the 2011 season with Xavier breaking in at No. 9 fresh off consecutive shutouts of Christ the King and Bishop Ford. This group of athletic juniors could provide coach Chris Stevens with the most depth of talent he’s had. Brent Scardapane continues his superb season with two more scores on the ground.

Next: St. Francis Prep (Oct. 1, 4:45 p.m. @ Aviator)

10. St. Joseph by the Sea (1-2) (9)

The Vikings hang onto their spot in the rankings for now. Rival Monsignor Farrell will be itching to get back in with a win over its Staten Island nemesis Sunday. It will be running back Nick King and Co. trying to earn bragging rights and maintain its stay in this space. The Vikings will have the benefit of a home crowd as the Lions visit Huguenot.

Next: Monsignor Farrell (Oct. 1, 3 p.m.)

On the bubble:

Cardinal Hayes (2-1), Monsignor Farrell (0-3) Holy Trinity (0-3), St. John the Baptist (2-1), St. Francis Prep (1-2) and St. Peter’s (1-1).