CHSFL rankings

CHSFL predictions, Thanksgiving

By MARC RAIMONDI and JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Xavier vs. Fordham Prep (Thursday, 10 a.m. @ Aviator)

Raimondi: It doesn’t get any better than this. There’s something special about historical rivalries and Xavier-Fordham isn’t just one of the best in the city – it’s one of the top ones in the country. You can throw out all past results when these two teams battle on Thanksgiving morning. Records don’t matter. Playoff results don’t matter. We could be in 1911 or 2011. Fordham Prep is riding high off its CHSFL Class AA title victory last week over Kellenberg, while Xavier fell to St. Joseph by the Sea in the ‘AA’ quarterfinals – a disappointing result given the Knights’ undefeated league record. Their fortunes will change Thursday and somewhat erase those bad memories. Brent Scardapane returned in that Sea game from injury and it wasn’t easy for coach Chris Stevens to mix the star back into the offense after the incredible year by Trey Solomon. Stevens has had a lot of time to work with both guys now. Fordham won’t be able to stop them in the single wing. Pick: Xavier

Staszewski: This game sees something it only seen once before in its rich history: One of the participants – Fordham Prep – enters as the CHSFL Class AA champions. It puts even more pressure on the favored Rams to beat their rivals, who were knocked out in the opening round. The Knights are rested, Fordham just played last weekend and that could certainly play a factor. The Rams running duo of James Drago and Logan Williamson will try to outduel Xavier’s Solomon and Scardapane. While the Knights would love to spoil Fordham’s storybook ending and avenge a 17-7 loss last season, I don’t see it happening. Fordham’s Prep’s size and running game will wear them down in the second half en route to a comfortable win.
Pick: Fordham Prep

Photo by Paul J. Bereswill

Xavier's Kevin Cochrane pulls in a pass & runs for a touchdown in the 1st half.

Photo by Paul J. Bereswill

Fordham Prep's Elias Gelpi cheers after he runs a fumnble into the end zone for a TD.

Gelpi, defense earn Fordham Prep Turkey Bowl win over Xavier

By JOSEPH STASZEWSKI

Elias Gelpi went back and forth debating which play meant more to him before deciding. The Fordham Prep senior cornerback returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown to open the second half and also had the game-sealing interception.

“The touchdown was definitely better,” Gelpi, the game’s MVP, said… “It was a big deal for me. It was a big deal for the team. That was my first score of the season. To have it on the Turkey Bowl, last game, that was a dream come true.”

His performance was the highlight of a big day for the Rams defense in a 15-7 win over rival Xavier in their 87th annual Thanksgiving Day football game at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn. Fordham Prep, the CHSFL Class AA champion, ends the season on four-game winning streak and earned its second straight win over the Knights, the Class AA-A regular season champ.

“We wanted ‘AAA’,” defensive lineman Itua Uduebo said. “’AA’ is just as just as good. Turkey Bowl makes it so much better.”

The junior provided one of the game’s biggest plays with a safety. Xavier (8-3) stopped Logan Williamson on the goal line on a fourth down run from the 2-yard-line with the score tied 7-7 early in the fourth quarter. It was the first time Fordham Prep had been stopped inside the 5-yard-line all season.

“I was a little disappointed we didn’t end up in the end zone,” Fordham Prep coach Pete Gorynski said. “But I was obviously very happy when Itua came up with the stick and the tackle for the safety.”

On the next play, Uduebo tackled Knights running back William (Trey) Solomon in the end zone with 8:52 remaining to give the Rams (7-5) a 9-7 advantage. Knights coach Chris Stevens second-guessed going with his best power run play instead of a rarely-used goal line play. Stevens said he was proud of the way his players competed and gave themselves a chance to win. The Knights lone score was a 66-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Wolfer to a leaping Kevin Cochrane with 17 seconds left before the half to make it 7-0. Fordham’s James Drago added 75 yards on 24 carries.

“The little things matter in a 15-7 game against two good teams,” Stevens said. “I think we made a couple more mistakes than they did.”

Fordham Prep added a 10-yard touchdown pass from James McHale (7-of-12, 100 yards) to Ben Andreycak in the right side of the end zone. Steven Broccoli’s PAT was no good so Fordham Prep led just 15-7 with 2:41 left in the game. Xavier marched down to the Rams 39 before Gelpi picked off a Danny Donahue pass with less than a minute to play to end it.

“This is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” Gelpi said. “The comeback win in the championship & then come back here and seal the deal.

Fordham gobbles up Xavier in Turkey Bowl

By DYLAN BUTLER

Photo by Dominick Ricciardi

Long before Elias Gelpi had his Thanksgiving turkey and second helping of stuffing, Fordham Prep’s senior cornerback had the sweetest dessert.

Gelpi picked up a fumble and returned it for a 25-yard touchdown and sealed the Rams 15-7 victory over rival Xavier with a late interception in the 88th annual Turkey Bowl clash at Aviator Sports Complex Thursday morning.

“That was probably the best feeling ever,” Gelpi said. “As a senior, that was like the greatest feeling.”

It was the Rams 49th victory in the annual series that dates back to 1905 and second in a row. Fordham Prep (7-5) finished the season with four straight victories, including the program’s first-ever CHSFL Class AA title Sunday at Mitchel Athletic Complex.

In that game, the Rams rallied to pull out a thrilling 22-21 victory against Kellenberg.

“It’s been great, something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Gelpi, who was named the game’s MVP. “The comeback win in the championship and to come back again today and seal the deal, it was a dream come true really.”

It’s a far cry from 51-0 loss to St. Anthony’s in Week 3.

“After Game 3 against St. Anthony’s, there was a lot of doubt, but we really rallied back together,” junior defensive lineman Itua Udebo said. “We wanted ‘AAA,’ but ‘AA’ is just as good and Turkey Bowl makes it so much better.”

Xavier (8-3) jumped in front, 7-0, late in the second quarter on a 66-yard pass from Jimmy Wolfer to Kevin Cochrane, but the Rams rallied to tie the game on one of three turnovers they forced on the day.

Mike Mahon stripped Charles Guiraud (4 carries, 32 yards) along the Xavier sideline and Gelpi picked the ball up, rushing for a tying touchdown with 10:58 left in the third quarter.

“Our kids responded, they did a great job,” Fordham Prep coach Pete Gorynski said. “We tried to keep it as simple as possible. We did a good job up front. We tackled, we ran to the football and except for the one pass play, we covered real well, too.”

On a 13-play drive, Fordham Prep pushed the ball to the Xavier 3-yard line, but Logan Williamson was stopped at the goal line on fourth down and it appeared momentum switched to the Knights.

However, on the next play, Udebo tackled Solomon in the end zone for a safety that put Fordham Prep in front, 9-7, with 8:52 left in the fourth quarter.

“I tried to get through the line like I do every play and I found a hole this time,” Udebo said. “I saw the running back coming up and I just did what I had to do, what I was taught.”

It proved to be the turning point of the game.

“We ran our best power play and got lumped up for a safety after the defense does a great job in a goal line stand which is the first time Fordham was stopped inside the 10 all year and that’s depressing,” Xavier coach Chris Stevens said.

Udebo tackled Solomon for a 7-yard loss on third down, forcing a punt on the Knights next possession. That helped set up a 10-yard touchdown pass from James McHale (7-of-12 for 100 yards) to Ben Andreycak to put Fordham Prep in front, 15-7, with 2:41 left in regulation.

Trailing by eight, Xavier was forced to go to the air for a quick score, but Gelpi picked off Danny Donahue at the 23-yard line to clinch the victory.

This is the biggest game of the year…This is what matters the most,” Udebo said. “We really live for this game.”




	CHSFL predictions, Thanksgiving By MARC RAIMONDI and JOSEPH STASZEWSKI Xavier vs. Fordham Prep (Thursday, 10 a.m. @ Aviator) Raimondi: It doesn’t get any better than this. There’s something special about historical rivalries and Xavier-Fordham isn’t just one of the best in the city – it’s one of the top ones in the country. You can throw out all past results when these two teams battle on Thanksgiving morning. Records don’t matter. Playoff results don’t matter. We could be in 1911 or 2011. Fordham Prep is riding high off its CHSFL Class AA title victory last week over Kellenberg, while Xavier fell to St. Joseph by the Sea in the ‘AA’ quarterfinals – a disappointing result given the Knights’ undefeated league record. Their fortunes will change Thursday and somewhat erase those bad memories. Brent Scardapane returned in that Sea game from injury and it wasn’t easy for coach Chris Stevens to mix the star back into the offense after the incredible year by Trey Solomon. Stevens has had a lot of time to work with both guys now. Fordham won’t be able to stop them in the single wing. Pick: Xavier Staszewski: This game sees something it only seen once before in its rich history: One of the participants – Fordham Prep – enters as the CHSFL Class AA champions. It puts even more pressure on the favored Rams to beat their rivals, who were knocked out in the opening round. The Knights are rested, Fordham just played last weekend and that could certainly play a factor. The Rams running duo of James Drago and Logan Williamson will try to outduel Xavier’s Solomon and Scardapane. While the Knights would love to spoil Fordham’s storybook ending and avenge a 17-7 loss last season, I don’t see it happening. Fordham’s Prep’s size and running game will wear them down in the second half en route to a comfortable win. Pick: Fordham Prep



	Photo by Paul J. Bereswill Xavier's Kevin Cochrane pulls in a pass & runs for a touchdown in the 1st half.	Photo by Paul J. Bereswill Fordham Prep's Elias Gelpi cheers after he runs a fumnble into the end zone for a TD.

	Gelpi, defense earn Fordham Prep Turkey Bowl win over Xavier By JOSEPH STASZEWSKI Elias Gelpi went back and forth debating which play meant more to him before deciding. The Fordham Prep senior cornerback returned a fumble 25 yards for a touchdown to open the second half and also had the game-sealing interception. “The touchdown was definitely better,” Gelpi, the game’s MVP, said… “It was a big deal for me. It was a big deal for the team. That was my first score of the season. To have it on the Turkey Bowl, last game, that was a dream come true.” His performance was the highlight of a big day for the Rams defense in a 15-7 win over rival Xavier in their 87th annual Thanksgiving Day football game at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn. Fordham Prep, the CHSFL Class AA champion, ends the season on four-game winning streak and earned its second straight win over the Knights, the Class AA-A regular season champ. “We wanted ‘AAA’,” defensive lineman Itua Uduebo said. “’AA’ is just as just as good. Turkey Bowl makes it so much better.” The junior provided one of the game’s biggest plays with a safety. Xavier (8-3) stopped Logan Williamson on the goal line on a fourth down run from the 2-yard-line with the score tied 7-7 early in the fourth quarter. It was the first time Fordham Prep had been stopped inside the 5-yard-line all season. “I was a little disappointed we didn’t end up in the end zone,” Fordham Prep coach Pete Gorynski said. “But I was obviously very happy when Itua came up with the stick and the tackle for the safety.” On the next play, Uduebo tackled Knights running back William (Trey) Solomon in the end zone with 8:52 remaining to give the Rams (7-5) a 9-7 advantage. Knights coach Chris Stevens second-guessed going with his best power run play instead of a rarely-used goal line play. Stevens said he was proud of the way his players competed and gave themselves a chance to win. The Knights lone score was a 66-yard touchdown pass from Jimmy Wolfer to a leaping Kevin Cochrane with 17 seconds left before the half to make it 7-0. Fordham’s James Drago added 75 yards on 24 carries. “The little things matter in a 15-7 game against two good teams,” Stevens said. “I think we made a couple more mistakes than they did.” Fordham Prep added a 10-yard touchdown pass from James McHale (7-of-12, 100 yards) to Ben Andreycak in the right side of the end zone. Steven Broccoli’s PAT was no good so Fordham Prep led just 15-7 with 2:41 left in the game. Xavier marched down to the Rams 39 before Gelpi picked off a Danny Donahue pass with less than a minute to play to end it. “This is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” Gelpi said. “The comeback win in the championship & then come back here and seal the deal.

	Fordham gobbles up Xavier in Turkey Bowl By DYLAN BUTLER Photo by Dominick Ricciardi Long before Elias Gelpi had his Thanksgiving turkey and second helping of stuffing, Fordham Prep’s senior cornerback had the sweetest dessert. Gelpi picked up a fumble and returned it for a 25-yard touchdown and sealed the Rams 15-7 victory over rival Xavier with a late interception in the 88th annual Turkey Bowl clash at Aviator Sports Complex Thursday morning. “That was probably the best feeling ever,” Gelpi said. “As a senior, that was like the greatest feeling.” It was the Rams 49th victory in the annual series that dates back to 1905 and second in a row. Fordham Prep (7-5) finished the season with four straight victories, including the program’s first-ever CHSFL Class AA title Sunday at Mitchel Athletic Complex. In that game, the Rams rallied to pull out a thrilling 22-21 victory against Kellenberg. “It’s been great, something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Gelpi, who was named the game’s MVP. “The comeback win in the championship and to come back again today and seal the deal, it was a dream come true really.” It’s a far cry from 51-0 loss to St. Anthony’s in Week 3. “After Game 3 against St. Anthony’s, there was a lot of doubt, but we really rallied back together,” junior defensive lineman Itua Udebo said. “We wanted ‘AAA,’ but ‘AA’ is just as good and Turkey Bowl makes it so much better.” Xavier (8-3) jumped in front, 7-0, late in the second quarter on a 66-yard pass from Jimmy Wolfer to Kevin Cochrane, but the Rams rallied to tie the game on one of three turnovers they forced on the day. Mike Mahon stripped Charles Guiraud (4 carries, 32 yards) along the Xavier sideline and Gelpi picked the ball up, rushing for a tying touchdown with 10:58 left in the third quarter. “Our kids responded, they did a great job,” Fordham Prep coach Pete Gorynski said. “We tried to keep it as simple as possible. We did a good job up front. We tackled, we ran to the football and except for the one pass play, we covered real well, too.” On a 13-play drive, Fordham Prep pushed the ball to the Xavier 3-yard line, but Logan Williamson was stopped at the goal line on fourth down and it appeared momentum switched to the Knights. However, on the next play, Udebo tackled Solomon in the end zone for a safety that put Fordham Prep in front, 9-7, with 8:52 left in the fourth quarter. “I tried to get through the line like I do every play and I found a hole this time,” Udebo said. “I saw the running back coming up and I just did what I had to do, what I was taught.” It proved to be the turning point of the game. “We ran our best power play and got lumped up for a safety after the defense does a great job in a goal line stand which is the first time Fordham was stopped inside the 10 all year and that’s depressing,” Xavier coach Chris Stevens said. Udebo tackled Solomon for a 7-yard loss on third down, forcing a punt on the Knights next possession. That helped set up a 10-yard touchdown pass from James McHale (7-of-12 for 100 yards) to Ben Andreycak to put Fordham Prep in front, 15-7, with 2:41 left in regulation. Trailing by eight, Xavier was forced to go to the air for a quick score, but Gelpi picked off Danny Donahue at the 23-yard line to clinch the victory. This is the biggest game of the year…This is what matters the most,” Udebo said. “We really live for this game.”