After five weeks of action, we’ve found out plenty about the PSAL football landscape. But there’s so much left to learn.
Our top five, in order, of Fort Hamilton, Erasmus Hall, Curtis, DeWitt Clinton and Tottenville remain the same. It may not stay like that too much longer; Curtis and Tottenville meet Friday in the club’s annual blood-and-guts war.
Right behind the big five are Sheepshead Bay and Canarsie, following impressive victories. The two traditional powers were supposedly weaker than in past seasons, but look to be playoff locks. No. 8 Susan Wagner bounced back from consecutive setbacks with a come-from-behind victory over No. 9 Lincoln, and Flushing, despite its first season in the City Championship division, debuts at No. 10 after upending New Utrecht’s high-wire attack.
It’s all here in The Post’s PSAL football rankings:
1. Fort Hamilton (5-0) (Last week: 1)
Ho-hum, another victory for the Tigers. Two more rushing touchdowns for Frank Laino, another for AJ Richardson. The tandem is terrorizing the city. So is the defense, the unit coach Vinny Laino said was his biggest worry in preseason. It has now pitched consecutive shutouts and hasn’t allowed double digits since Week 2.
Next: Bayside (Oct. 11, 12 p.m.)
2. Erasmus Hall (5-0) (2)
The Dutchmen have toed the line the last few weeks. They were down at the half against Campus Magnet and Saturday versus Brooklyn Tech. Bayside was able to score 30 points against them in Week 4. But that’s a testament to how good Erasmus actually is: it can rebound from a bad quarter or a bad half and still win going away.
Next: Boys & Girls (Oct. 11, 12 p.m.)
3. Curtis (4-1) (3)
The Warriors’ defense hasn’t allowed a point in 13 quarters. The swarming pass rush has sacked the opposing quarterback 10 times, allowed just 199 total yards and has forced nine turnovers in that span. Their opponents – No. 10 Canarsie, James Madison and New Dorp (recently dropped from our rankings) – are no slouches. The ultimate test comes Friday, when No. 5 Tottenvilles pays a visit to St. George.
Next: No. 5 Tottenville (Oct. 9, 2:30 p.m.)
4. DeWitt Clinton (4-1) (4)
If the Governors can get by No. 10 Flushing on Sunday, they may be able to run the table. Only Bronx foes remain. Tip of the cap to Howard Langley; he graduated several important pieces this past spring, but has developed a better all-around club. Quarterback Joaquin DeJesus, an impressive junior, continues to improve. He threw for 276 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-6 pasting of James Madison.
Next: No. 10 Flushing (Oct. 11, 11 a.m.)
5. Tottenville (4-1) (5)
The Pirates got back on the horse this week after a shocking loss to New Utrecht in Week 4. Tottenville took its frustrations out on Port Richmond with a 41-15 pounding. Marvin Staten certainly has a flair for the big play. He had two long returns – one of a kick, one of a blocked punt – for touchdowns. Will he be able to do the same against a nasty Curtis defense? Friday’s game should be a memorable showdown.
Next: @ Curtis (Oct. 9, 2:30 p.m.)
6. Sheepshead Bay (3-2) (9)
If you told coach Fred Snyder before the season that his Sharks would be 3-2 at this point in the season, he would certainly take it. And with a favorable schedule the rest of the way, Sheepshead should cruise into the playoffs. Deejay White has been a surprise at quarterback and backs like Naquan Alexander, Devontai Carlie and Paul Fyffe can all run. And, as always, that Sharks defense is a force.
Next: Grady (Oct. 11, 12 p.m.)
7. Canarsie (3-2) (10)
We don’t completely agree with Canarsie coach Mike Camardese: the Chiefs don’t have the most balanced offense in the city. They are among the best, though, right there with No. 1 Fort Hamilton and No. 3 Erasmus Hall. Everyone knew once Syracuse-bound back Steven Rene got healthy, Canarsie would be a threat. But did anyone know quarterback Jarrel Turner would be so lethal himself? He leads the city with 942 passing yards and is tied with Wayne Morgan of Erasmus and Jordan Paul of New Utrecht with eight passing touchdowns.
Next: @ Brooklyn Tech (Oct. 11, 12 p.m.)
8. Susan Wagner (3-2) (NR)
The Falcons needed that win, Saturday against Lincoln. Wagner, which got four rushing touchdowns from Trevor Ellam, will only face Staten Island opponents the rest of the way and absolutely nothing is a given in that borough. The next few weeks will dictate if the Falcons can get back to where people thought they could be in the preseason.
Next: Port Richmond (Oct. 10, 7 p.m.)
9. Lincoln (3-2) (6)
The Railsplitters had their fourth consecutive victory in front of them, on the road against No. 8 Susan Wagner, what would’ve been their most complete win against their toughest opponent to date. Lincoln led by six points entering the fourth quarter. Then, everything went wrong, the Falcons reeling off 24 unanswered points. The young ’Splitters can go one of two ways from here: chalk up the loss to a poor quarter and rebound, or let the disheartening setback ruin what up to this point has been a remarkably pleasant bounce back season.
Next: Grand Street Campus (Oct. 11, 12 p.m.)
10. Flushing (4-1) (NR)
Yes, the Red Devils have had a favorable schedule – even coach Jim DeSantis admitted that Saturday night. But as a team just five years removed from being defunct, any game against a Level 5 opponent is a tough one. Flushing has won the games it’s supposed to win, and Saturday upended New Utrecht, which was coming off an upset of No. 5 Tottenville. DeSantis’ defense is stout and he has enough offensive weapons to hang around with most teams. This weekend against No. 4 Clinton will be yet another stiff test.
Next: @ DeWitt Clinton (Oct. 11, 11 a.m.)
New: Flushing (3-2)
Dropped out: New Dorp (3-2)
On the bubble: New Dorp (3-2), Campus Magnet (3-2), Brooklyn Tech (3-2), New Utrecht (2-3) and Midwood (3-2)