CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LEAGUE of METROPOLITAN NEW YORK

                                                                                                    Player of the Week Nomination
 

Nominee: Valerie Gwardyak                                                          School: Xavier High School
Position: Linebacker                                                                Opponent: Holy Cross
Date of Game: 11/04/17   Ht. 5’10”   Wt. 170   Class: Jr.     Hometown: Staten Island, NY

Details of nominees performance:
It doesn’t matter how you start, it matters how you finish.  The Xavier Knights’ Single Wing Offense has sputtered, squeaked and moaned in the beginning of the season, but has roared back to life as the Knights won their way into the CHSFL AA playoffs and have now beaten their second winning team in a row knocking off the #3 seed Holy Cross in the Quarter Final Playoff Game.  The root of Xavier’s success this season however, has been their defense.  Last week they held Mount to their lowest rushing total of the season and as they look forward to their Semi Final Playoff opponent, 9-0 Kellenberg, Xavier has the confidence that they held the #1 seed division champions to their lowest offensive output of the season as well.  Leading the Xavier defense as the Knights took on Holy Cross, was junior linebacker and signal caller, Valerie Gwardyak, with 7 solo tackles, 5 assists & 3 tackles for a loss.  Defense played a huge role in the win, as Xavier won the turnover battle 4-0, recovering 3 fumbles including one in the Xavier end zone and grabbing an interception to seal the win.  Valerie is the leading tackler this season for the Knights, who are the 3^rd least scored upon defense in the AA Division, he has 77 total tackles including 42 solos, 35 assists & 8 tackles for a loss.