We are down to one week and two games in the CHSFL league season.
There are just two unbeaten teams left standing after top-ranked St. Anthony’s toppled No. 4 Fordham Prep in the Class AAA semifinals. It earned them a right to defend its title again rival Iona Prep in the final on Saturday.
No. 3 Archbishop Stepinac easily made its way into the Class AA title game with yet another lopsided win. There it will face Kellenberg, which enters the rankings this week at No. 9. The Firebirds are hot right now after besting Long Island rival Chaminade.
St. John the Baptist ended its season with a win over St. Peter’s for the Class A crown. Running back Derelle Hunter ended his high-school career in fine fashion with a four-touchdown day. Other heroes with emerge this weekend as two more titles are decided.
Here are this week’s rankings.
1. St. Anthony’s (10-0) (Last week: 1)
It was a special night at Cy Donnelly Field as Rich Reichert picked up career win No. 200 Friday when the Friars defeated Fordham Prep, 39-14, to advance to the Class AAA final for a 12th consecutive year. Now St. Anthony’s is going for its fourth-ever perfect season and ninth championship in 10 years when it takes on Iona Prep in the title game Saturday at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
Next: No. 3 Iona Prep, Class AAA championship @ Mitchel Athletic Complex (Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m.)
2. Archbishop Stepinac (10-0) (3)
It’s all right in front of Stepinac now. There was been no upsets, only dominance in the Class AA playoffs for the Crusaders. They easily handled Cardinal Hayes, 42-6, in the semifinals behind a huge game from quarterback Tyrell Goodman. He had 404 total yard and five touchdowns. Stepinac will face its toughest test of the season again Kellenberg in the final.
Next: No. 9 Kellenberg, Class AA championship @ Mitchel Athletic Complex (Nov 20, Noon)
3. Iona Prep (8-2) (4)
The last time the Gaels reached the Class AAA title game, Jeff Mack rushed for 393 yards and seven touchdowns as Iona Prep defeated St. Anthony’s to win the championship in 2008. To get back to the title game, Iona Prep received another spectacular performance from a star running back as Sidney Weston rushed for 306 yards and four TDs in a 45-17 win against Holy Trinity. The Gaels gave the Friars their biggest challenge before losing 28-20 in New Rochelle in Week 8.
Next: No. 1 St. Anthony’s, Class AAA championship @ Mitchel Athletic Complex (Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m.)
4. Fordham Prep (9-1) (2)
Rams coach Pete Gorynski said he hoped to at least still be competing in the fourth quarter of Friday’s Class AAA semifinal at St. Anthony’s. That didn’t happen, but Fordham Prep at least now knows what it’s like to play mighty St. Anthony’s. There were plenty of tears shed at Cy Donnelly Field, but Gorynski hopes it’s a building block for his program.
Next: Xavier, Turkey Bowl @ Coffey Field (Nov. 25, 10 a.m.)
5. Holy Trinity (7-3) (5)
A return trip the final wasn’t meant to be for Holy Trinity. The Titans fell to Iona Prep for the second time this season, 45-17, in the Class AAA semifinals. Their normally stout defense was shredded by Gaels running back Sidney Weston. Still is was a fine season for the Titans, their only losses were to Iona and St. Anthony’s
Next: Season complete
6. Xaverian (5-5) (6)
Xaverian had high expectations when the year started because of their speed and array of explosive offensive players. That grounded to a halt with the expulsion of Kendall (Speedy) Thomas and the academic suspension of three more starters. The Clippers ended the year with a flurry as Laray Smith had a huge day in a 65-52 win over St. Joseph by the Sea in a CHSFL Bowl game.
Next: Season complete
7. Mount St. Michael (4-5) (7)
Mount lost to Xavier, 21-14, in its bowl game last weekend, but its season is far from over. Arguably the Mountaineers’ biggest game of the season awaits them on Thanksgiving morning. Coach Mario Valentini’s crew beat rival Cardinal Hayes in their annual tilt last year and would love to re-establish its dominance of the series by making it two straight.
Next: Cardinal Hayes, Turkey Bowl (Nov. 25, 10 a.m.)
8. Holy Cross (4-6) (8)
A disappointing season ended on a bright note, with a victory against Monsignor Farrell Sunday and with it marked the end of the high-school careers of Devon Cajuste, Kedar Hunter, Kevin Durkan, Nelson Perez and Shaq Frederick. Coach Tom Pugh looks toward the future now with Yianni Gavalas and Shyheim Wingate among the leading returning players.
Next: Season complete
9. Kellenberg (5-5) (NR)
In Week 1, Kellenberg celebrated its first-ever victory against rival Chaminade on a Tim Wienclaw overtime field goal. The Firebirds picked up win No. 2 Sunday against the Flyers in the Class AA semifinals and “The Claw” came up big again. The senior had three touchdown receptions as Kellenberg won, 37-20, to advance to the Class AA title game for the first time since 1995. Now can the Firebirds slay the mighty dragon that is Archbishop Stepinac?
Next: No. 2 Archbishop Stepinac, Class AA championship @ Mitchel Athletic Complex (Nov. 20, Noon)
10. St. Joseph by the Sea (4-6) (10)
John Diaz had to shoulder a heavier burden with the season-ended injury to Chris Murphy and did so valiantly. Sea, however, was never the same team after that and kept finding itself on the wrong side of scores The Vikings ended the year with a wild 65-52 loss to Xaverian in a bowl game where Diaz ran for 222 yards.
Next: Season complete
New: Kellenberg (5-5)
Dropped out: Cardinal Hayes (5-5)
On the bubble: Cardinal Hayes (5-5), Monsignor Farrell (4-6), Xavier (6-4) and Christ the King (5-5)