Holy Cross tops boro’s best

By Joseph Staszewski

A team from Queens did not bring home a title, but the borough produced some strong players. St. Francis Prep had one of its best seasons in recent years, winning the Catholic High School Football League AA-A division regular season crown. Holy Cross was among the top teams in the city. Beach Channel, which played through the aftermath of Sandy, was a competitive public school squad along with Campus Magnet and Flushing.

All-Queens Player of the Year: Jordan Francklin. Holy Cross

The junior was a leader on both sides of the ball for the Knights at running back and as part of a line-backing core as good as any in the city. The athletic Francklin rushed for 731 yards and scored seven touchdowns as part of a multi-back attack. He was a dynamic force on defense, recording 93 tackles, including four sacks for a Knights team that finished 5-5.

All-Queens Coach of the Year: Vince O’Connor, St. Francis Prep

The legendary coach and trusted top assistant Richie Carroll led the Terriers to a resurgent season. A year after just missing the Class AA playoffs, St. Francis Prep went undefeated during the regular season in league play. Its year was cut short by a heartbreaking overtime loss to Kellenberg in the AA semifinals, but a strong core will return next year.

ALL-QUEENS FIRST TEAM

QB Blessuan Austin, Campus Magnet

The speedy junior made things happen for Campus Magnet. Austin threw for 601 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 291 yards and six more scores on the ground. Coach Eric Barnett will be happy to see him back next year.

WR/DB Lekeith Celestain, Holy Cross

Celestain, a senior, was a dual threat for the Knights. He was their leading receiver with 302 yards and two touchdowns. He was as good a defensive back as you will find with his length and speed, collecting two interceptions while usually locking down his wide receiver.

LB Juwan Wilson, Holy Cross

The senior was the unquestioned leader of arguably the best group of linebackers in Coach Tom Pugh’s career. Wilson recorded 90 tackles and had six games with double-digit tackles. Quarterbacks throughout the league checked where he was.

DL Folorunso Fatukasi, Beach Channel

The UConn-bound senior is one of the city’s most formidable defensive players. Fatukasi, who saw his home destroyed in Hurricane Sandy, recorded five sacks and got his hands on an interception in an emotional season for the Dolphins.

RB/DB Justin Guerre, St. Francis Prep

The junior back lived up to the hype. Guerre is explosive turning the corner and was the Terriers’ big play threat for a high-powered offense all season. He had 1,162 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.

OT Jordan Pagan, Holy Cross

The Knights focused on a run-heavy attack as the season went along and the senior was a big reason why it was productive. The 6-foot-3, 298-pound Pagan chipped in on defense as well. He was a leader on both sides of the ball.

QB John Hurley, St. Francis Prep

Coach Vince O’Connor touted Hurley’s leadership in the preseason as the senior proved him right. Hurley ran the belly offense to perfection and was able to make big plays down the field. He threw for 1,561 yards and 17 touchdowns.

RB/LB Brandon Pelzer, Holy Cross

Pelzer was the focus of a wildcat scheme run by Cross. The physical junior rushed for 560 yards and five touchdowns, while picking up close to seven yards a carry. He also collected 68 tackles along with an interception defense.

QB Blessuan Austin, Campus Magnet

Austin was a dynamic threat with his legs and arm on the football field. The junior had nine total touchdowns and amassed 892 total yards. He led Campus Magnet to a 4-4 record playing against some of the league’s top teams.

WR Jordan Fuchs, Christ the King

The highly recruited senior was often the focus of opposing defense. Even so, he put up strong numbers this season. He made 27 catches for 374 yards and five touchdowns to help the Royals reach the CHSFL Class A title game.

QB Breland Archbold, Beach Channel

The elusive senior, who was displaced from his home in Sandy, was a major part of the Dolphins’ offense. Archbold recorded 14 touchdowns and combined passing and running while wracking up 1,239 total yards. He added three interceptions.

LB Robert Wright, St. Francis Prep

Wright was as consistent as they come even as a lot of the attention went to the SFP offense. The junior was second on the Catholic league with 10 sacks, recording nearly one a game and added to that an interception and a fumble recovery.