By Joseph Staszewski
Football continues to thrive in Queens.
Flushing kept itself among the PSAL’s elite teams by reaching the city conference semifinals. Christ the King enjoyed a resurgent season. The athletic and determined Royals earned a spot in the CHSFL Class AA playoffs for the first time since 2010. A young Holy Cross team found its footing in the second half of the year and Bayside reached the PSAL Bowl conference semifinals. After another fine campaign, here are the players deemed the best in Queens.
All-Queens Football Player of the Year: Terrence Chavis, Flushing
The senior signal caller put Flushing on his back many times this season. His playmaking ability was often the difference in key wins that kept Flushing in the top tier of the PSAL. Chavis threw for 19 touchdowns and scored six more on the ground. He compiled 2,153 total yards of offense and always thrived in the big moment.
All-Queens Football Coach of the Year: Jim DeSantis, Flushing
DeSantis did not let Flushing be a one-hit wonder after reaching its first PSAL City Conference semifinal since the early 1990s. He pushed a veteran group to be great and produced one of the city’s most explosive and determined clubs. Flushing went 8-4 and lost to eventual champion Lincoln in the quarterfinals.
All-Queens Football First Team:
WR Amed Bah, Holy Cross
The talented junior was limited by injuries, but when he was on the field, he was one of the CHSFL’s top receivers. Bah caught 23 passes for 387 yards and six touchdowns to fuel the Knights’ second-half surge.
RB/LB D’Andre Sapp, Flushing
Sapp did a little bit of everything for Flushing. The senior scored seven offensive touchdowns and posted 994 yard of total offense. Defensively, he made 24 tackles, scored a touchdown and collected two interceptions.
DL Charles Driver, Campus Magnet
Driver was a versatile force for the Bulldogs. The senior aided Campus Magnet’s rushing attack with 391 yards and four scores, but his real impact came on defense. Driver made 51 tackles, recorded 18 sacks and added a fumble recovery.
QB Robert Einersen, St. Francis Prep
It was a tough year for the Terriers, but Einersen still excelled under center. The senior posted 1,198 yards of total offense and tossed eight touchdowns passes to help fuel the St. Francis Prep offense.
RB/DB Roy Harvey, Campus Magnet
Harvey has been a catalyst for Campus Magnet throughout his career and he excelled in his larger role. Harvey compiled 742 yards of total offense and scored six times. He also made 41 tackles on defense.
WR/DB Keron Hermitt, Flushing
The senior loved to wear Superman Under Armour and he often played like a hero. Hermitt was a big time playmaker on both sides of the ball. He had nine touchdown and 724 yards of total offense and three interceptions on defense.
OL Will LeClaire, Holy Cross
The senior stalwart has been a corner stone on the Knights’ offensive life.
The united play improved as the year went on and Holy Cross surged late. LeClaire was a big reason why.
LB Chris Manfre, Holy Cross
Manfre made certain his presence was felt and was the Knights’ surest and hardest hitting tackler. The senior made a team-leading 98 tackles, 75 for a loss, and picked up two sacks. He was the leader of another fine Knights defense.
LB Richard Posch, St. Francis Prep
Posch was all over the field for the Terriers in the CHSFL ‘AAA.’ He led the team in tackles with 64, including 53 of the solo variety. The senior added two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery to his fine defensive year.
RB Jamen Williams, Christ the King
Christ the King had a major bounce back season and the senior running back was a major factor in it. He posted 813 total yards and scored 10 times on the ground. His hard-nosed running style made him capable of breaking a big play any moment.
WR/QB Paul Yodice, Holy Cross
Yodice excelled wherever he played on offense, but was more comfortable as one of the CHSFL’s top receivers. He compiled 688 yards of offense running, passing and receiving. The senior had 36 catches and averaged 10.3 yard per grab.
Honorable Mention
WR/DB Lawrence Binger, Beach Channel
LB/K Francis Cole, St. Francis Prep
LB Jeshua Darnell, Campus Magnet
QB Charles Flugg, Bayside
OL/DL Abel Joseph Flushing
QB Darren Koomson Beach Channel
DB Christian Layne, Christ the King
WR Marcus Layne, Christ the King
RB Garfield McDonald, Jamaica
OL Jeremy Medina, Holy Cross
RB/LB Demetrie Narcisse, Flushing
DE Angle Ortiz, Christ the King
WR/LB Tyrell Plaza, Bayside
OL Anthony Pravata, St. Francis Prep
OL Rashawn Williams, Christ the King
