Zach Braziller
There is very little turnover in our rankings this week, the result of favorites prevailing and the CHSFL regular season having yet to begin.
The one change involves the PSAL, where Curtis fell to Fort Hamilton, our No. 3 team, 38-24, and were dropped from this space. Young yet gifted Erasmus Hall, coming in at No. 10, takes the Warriors place after handling Bronx power DeWitt Clinton, 26-14.
The upcoming week promises to be filled with exciting matchups. Coming off its heartbreaking overtime loss to Lincoln, Canarsie visits Curtis, undefeated Brooklyn Tech hosts Fort Hamilton, and Erasmus taking on Campus Magnet in a clash of unbeatens.
As for the CHSFL, Holy Cross will look to upset defending ‘AAA’ champion Iona Prep after beating rival St. Francis Prep and St. Joseph by the Sea begins its highly anticipated season on the road against Mount St. Michael.
1. Poly Prep (1-0) (1)
The Blue Devils starting backfield had an unforgettable opener. Fullback Faton Bauta caught the game-winning touchdown and tailback Ashton Ghaffour ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns in a come-from-behind 26-21 win over Surrattsville (Md.).
Next: Fieldston (Sept. 17, 7 p.m.)
2. St. Joseph by the Sea (0-0) (2)
The Vikings are a better team than last year and last year they were damn good. Coach Greg Manos always has high expectations, but with a team full of seniors, this is the year for Sea to make a push for the CHSFL ‘AAA’ title.
Next: @ No. 9 Mount St. Michael (Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m.)
3. Fort Hamilton (2-0) (3)
The Tigers have one of the best one-two punches in the city in quarterback Frank Laino and running back AJ Richardson. The two combined for five touchdowns in Saturday’s 38-24 rout of Curtis. The talent on the outside and in the secondary is pretty impressive, too. James Howell and Brandon Reddish have each caught touchdown passes and are ballhawks in the secondary. Here’s the scary part for the rest of the city: The two are juniors.
Next: @ Brooklyn Tech (Sept. 17, 4 p.m.)
4. Holy Cross (1-0) (4)
It was a penalty-plagued, sloppy encounter between archrivals, but we learned a few things about Holy Cross from a 27-7 win against St. Francis Prep on Sunday. Dean Marlowe is a solid quarterback, not just someone who can run the ball. And Devon Cajuste just might be the best receiver in the CHSFL. Not just a big target, the 6-foot-4 junior has soft hands.
Next: @ Iona Prep (Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m.)
5. Tottenville (2-0) (8)
Slowly but surely the Pirates are back to being the team that strikes fear into the opposition, back to being the unit that dominates on each side of the ball, on the perimeter and in the trenches. Yes, it’s just two games, but not only has Tottenville beaten Lehman and Sheepshead Bay, programs that should contend for a playoff before this season is complete, they have run them off the field, to the tune of 72-20. Of course, both those blowouts were in Huguenot. It will be interesting to see how they fare in The Bronx Thursday night.
Next: vs. John F. Kennedy (Sept. 17, 7 p.m.)
6. Monsignor Farrell (1-0) (6)
Mike Viegas was a star for the Monsignor Farrell baseball team, a key midseason call-up from the junior varsity squad. If one game is any indication, the sophomore will have the same effect on the Lions' football squad. Farrell is feeling good after a non-league win against Buffalo’s Bishop Timon-St. Jude, but there’s a huge step up in competition Friday night at St. Anthony’s.
Next: @ St. Anthony’s (Sept. 18, 7 p.m.)
No. 7 Xaverian (1-0) (7)
The Clippers did a good job defending Xavier’s difficult single-wing offense and Greg Rando and James Anastasio combined like Najee Tyler and Gerard Mistretta did last year. A stiffer test awaits Xaverian at home Friday night.
Next: Fordham Prep (Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.)
8. Susan Wagner (2-0) (10)
At the end of the day, the result is what matters. Knowing Wagner coach Al Paturzo, however, he wasn’t happy with the Falcons’ 34-32 victory over rebuilding Grady last weekend. It was that faulty defense, after all, that cost his club a berth in the city final last year.
Next: @ DeWitt Clinton (Sept. 18, 3 p.m.)
9. Mount St. Michael (0-0) (9)
It didn’t officially count, but Mount’s scrimmage against defending FCIC champion New Canaan (Conn.) on the road Friday night is reason for optimism. Gary Acquah and Jordan Buford scored touchdowns for the Mountaineers, who host No. 2 St. Joseph by the Sea Saturday afternoon.
Next: No. 2 St. Joseph by the Sea (Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m.)
10. Erasmus Hall (2-0) (NR)
Is two victories, impressive as they were, too early to anoint the Dutchmen as city championship contenders? How good, really, are Port Richmond and DeWitt Clinton, Erasmus Hall’s two victims? Well, Campus Magnet is plenty good, particularly their swarming, speedy defense. And that’s who Erasmus meets Friday afternoon in Queens. Another dominant showing from Danny Landberg’s kids will answer our questions.
There is very little turnover in our rankings this week, the result of favorites prevailing and the CHSFL regular season having yet to begin.
The one change involves the PSAL, where Curtis fell to Fort Hamilton, our No. 3 team, 38-24, and were dropped from this space. Young yet gifted Erasmus Hall, coming in at No. 10, takes the Warriors place after handling Bronx power DeWitt Clinton, 26-14.
The upcoming week promises to be filled with exciting matchups. Coming off its heartbreaking overtime loss to Lincoln, Canarsie visits Curtis, undefeated Brooklyn Tech hosts Fort Hamilton, and Erasmus taking on Campus Magnet in a clash of unbeatens.
As for the CHSFL, Holy Cross will look to upset defending ‘AAA’ champion Iona Prep after beating rival St. Francis Prep and St. Joseph by the Sea begins its highly anticipated season on the road against Mount St. Michael.
1. Poly Prep (1-0) (1)
The Blue Devils starting backfield had an unforgettable opener. Fullback Faton Bauta caught the game-winning touchdown and tailback Ashton Ghaffour ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns in a come-from-behind 26-21 win over Surrattsville (Md.).
Next: Fieldston (Sept. 17, 7 p.m.)
2. St. Joseph by the Sea (0-0) (2)
The Vikings are a better team than last year and last year they were damn good. Coach Greg Manos always has high expectations, but with a team full of seniors, this is the year for Sea to make a push for the CHSFL ‘AAA’ title.
Next: @ No. 9 Mount St. Michael (Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m.)
3. Fort Hamilton (2-0) (3)
The Tigers have one of the best one-two punches in the city in quarterback Frank Laino and running back AJ Richardson. The two combined for five touchdowns in Saturday’s 38-24 rout of Curtis. The talent on the outside and in the secondary is pretty impressive, too. James Howell and Brandon Reddish have each caught touchdown passes and are ballhawks in the secondary. Here’s the scary part for the rest of the city: The two are juniors.
Next: @ Brooklyn Tech (Sept. 17, 4 p.m.)
4. Holy Cross (1-0) (4)
It was a penalty-plagued, sloppy encounter between archrivals, but we learned a few things about Holy Cross from a 27-7 win against St. Francis Prep on Sunday. Dean Marlowe is a solid quarterback, not just someone who can run the ball. And Devon Cajuste just might be the best receiver in the CHSFL. Not just a big target, the 6-foot-4 junior has soft hands.
Next: @ Iona Prep (Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m.)
5. Tottenville (2-0) (8)
Slowly but surely the Pirates are back to being the team that strikes fear into the opposition, back to being the unit that dominates on each side of the ball, on the perimeter and in the trenches. Yes, it’s just two games, but not only has Tottenville beaten Lehman and Sheepshead Bay, programs that should contend for a playoff before this season is complete, they have run them off the field, to the tune of 72-20. Of course, both those blowouts were in Huguenot. It will be interesting to see how they fare in The Bronx Thursday night.
Next: vs. John F. Kennedy (Sept. 17, 7 p.m.)
6. Monsignor Farrell (1-0) (6)
Mike Viegas was a star for the Monsignor Farrell baseball team, a key midseason call-up from the junior varsity squad. If one game is any indication, the sophomore will have the same effect on the Lions' football squad. Farrell is feeling good after a non-league win against Buffalo’s Bishop Timon-St. Jude, but there’s a huge step up in competition Friday night at St. Anthony’s.
Next: @ St. Anthony’s (Sept. 18, 7 p.m.)
No. 7 Xaverian (1-0) (7)
The Clippers did a good job defending Xavier’s difficult single-wing offense and Greg Rando and James Anastasio combined like Najee Tyler and Gerard Mistretta did last year. A stiffer test awaits Xaverian at home Friday night.
Next: Fordham Prep (Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.)
8. Susan Wagner (2-0) (10)
At the end of the day, the result is what matters. Knowing Wagner coach Al Paturzo, however, he wasn’t happy with the Falcons’ 34-32 victory over rebuilding Grady last weekend. It was that faulty defense, after all, that cost his club a berth in the city final last year.
Next: @ DeWitt Clinton (Sept. 18, 3 p.m.)
9. Mount St. Michael (0-0) (9)
It didn’t officially count, but Mount’s scrimmage against defending FCIC champion New Canaan (Conn.) on the road Friday night is reason for optimism. Gary Acquah and Jordan Buford scored touchdowns for the Mountaineers, who host No. 2 St. Joseph by the Sea Saturday afternoon.
Next: No. 2 St. Joseph by the Sea (Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m.)
10. Erasmus Hall (2-0) (NR)
Is two victories, impressive as they were, too early to anoint the Dutchmen as city championship contenders? How good, really, are Port Richmond and DeWitt Clinton, Erasmus Hall’s two victims? Well, Campus Magnet is plenty good, particularly their swarming, speedy defense. And that’s who Erasmus meets Friday afternoon in Queens. Another dominant showing from Danny Landberg’s kids will answer our questions.
