This fall sports season, the Saint Francis Prep Terriers have dominated on the gridiron, volleyball court and in gymnastics — going a combined 22-0.
The Terriers football team is 6-0 in Catholic High School Football League (CHSFL) competition after their 35-14 victory last Saturday night, October 20, in Brooklyn against the Bishop Ford Falcons. The Lady Terriers volleyball team is undefeated as well, beating the Archbishop Molloy Stanners in all three meetings, each one in a three set sweep. The Terriers gymnastics team has blown away their competition in the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), winning all six meets this season.
The Terriers football team has one regular season game remaining against Saint Peter’s Eagles on Saturday, October 27, before the CHSFL playoffs begin. The program is making a comeback after two poor years in the CHSFL “AAA” division in 2009-2010, before taking a step down to the “AA” division last season and losing in the CHSFL “A” championship game against Bishop Ford. Senior captain and starting quarterback Jack Hurley has remained poised and focused on each game. Hurley’s approach has resonated with his teammates as they embark on their “road to the title.” “It’s so important [to go deep in the CHSFL playoffs]; we want to bring Prep football back,” Hurley said.
The Terriers are confident that they can come away with a championship this season.
“We believe we can go all the way, but we are going to have to work extremely hard everyday in practice,” Hurley said.
On the volleyball court, the Lady Terriers have dominated the last half decade, winning five straight Brooklyn/Queens Division I titles. Four of the last five seasons the Lady Terriers finished the regular seasons. This season the Lady Terriers are seeking another city championship as well as a state title.
“This might be our sixth [straight] title, but we’re not going into [the playoffs] expecting to win. We play each game one at a time,” said senior captain Kelly Flynn.
The Saint Francis girls’ volleyball team has beaten their rival, the Molloy Stanners, but remain humble — in the playoffs anything can happen. “Molloy is a really solid team, there’s no doubt about that, and they play strong each time they play against us. They’re out to get us, as every team
is, but with the way we play, and the players we have, we’re going into the postseason with the drive and intensity to win and show them who we are,” said Flynn, a prospective Division I collegiate athlete.
The Saint Francis Prep gymnastics team is seeking a third straight CHSAA title. They have thrived this season against the Holy Trinity Titans, Kellenberg Firebirds and Saint John the Baptist Cougars. The experienced Terriers are controlling their excitement about the CHSAA Championships, which will be at Prep on Saturday, October 27 at noon.
“After performing at six meets, the mindset of the team is to give it our all, but most importantly have fun. At championships, it’s individual, so we need to still work hard and be very focused, if each one of us wants it and I know we do,” said senior captain Marisa Marden. “This year was great and I’ll remember it the most. We are a family and I’ll miss it so much. We worked hard, but it was fun and successful.”
Saint Francis Prep athletics is flourishing this fall season with football, ladies volleyball and gymnastics all seeking championships. Focus, poise, dedication and work ethic were strengths among these three teams during the regular season, and these attributes will need to be carried over to the postseason if the teams want to bring championship hardware home to Prep.
