By Joseph Staszewski
Charles Driver looked around at Empire Challenge practice and was shocked to see there were very few players of his kind there.
The Campus Magnet tight end and Holy Cross linebacker Chris Manfre were the only players from Queens on the New York City roster in its 34-27 loss to Long Island in the annual senior all-star football game benefiting the Boomer Esiason Foundation for cystic fibrosis research at Hofstra University Tuesday.
“I was surprised because there was a lot of talent in Queens,” Driver said. “It gets overlooked a lot. It does. There are a lot of athletes in Queens who should be in this game right now, but they are not. That’s what happens.”
The New York City roster and its coaching staff are Brooklyn-dominated, as the borough has become the hotbed for football talent in the Big Apple. There are 28 players from Brooklyn on the team, 15 from Staten Island, eight from the Bronx and just the two from Queens. The only Queens coach on staff is former Holy Cross head man Tom Pugh, who is in an advisory role. It has left Driver and Manfre to carry the torch.
“We know we have to put Queens on the map and let people know in the city that Queens has players,” Driver said.
While 2015 was not a banner season for Queens football, there were a few players who could have helped the city squad—starting with Flushing quarterback Terrence Chavis, the TimesLedger All-Queens Player of the Year. The senior scored 25 touchdowns and compiled 2,153 total yards of offense last year. Red Devils teammate Keron Hermitt, a receiver/cornerback, would also be a solid addition.
Over in the CHSFL there was Holy Cross receiver Paul Yodice, who had 36 catches and averaged 10.3 yards per grab. Knights offensive lineman Will LeClarie could have been an anchor on the New York City line. St. Francis Prep linebacker Richard Posch can cover ground with the best of them, as evidenced by his 64 tackles. New York City and Lincoln coach Shawn O’Connor said a borough’s representation fluctuates from year to year.
“It was tough,” O’Connor said about the selection of players for the New York City squad. “We did it off of film and guys didn’t pop off or pop at us compared to the other guys this year. Last year we only had three or four Staten Island kids…That goes in cycles.”
Driver and Manfre have plenty to show people after dreaming of playing in this game as youngsters. Driver saw his brother James, who also went to Campus Magnet, compete for New York City three years ago. Manfre, who made a team-leading 98 tackles last year for Cross, remembers watching the game as a 10-year-old, picturing himself on the field down the road.
“I thought one day if I was ever to wear that red uniform it would be pretty sick and I am here now,” Manfre said.”
Now that he finally gets to wear it, he along with Driver not only represent New York City, but were the flag bearers for their borough.
“I feel like I have to strongly represent Queens out there,” Manfre said. “Can’t have Brooklyn getting all the shine.”
