The playoffs are here, and just like the wild regular season, there were plenty of surprises. At the top of the list is Thomas Jefferson, the only three-win team to make the City Championship division playoffs.
The Orange Wave shocked Canarsie and as a result move into our rankings. Our top six of Lincoln, Tottenville, Erasmus Hall, Fort Hamilton, Campus Magnet and Boys & Girls move on to the quarterfinals and hold in their slots. For a full rundown of the opening weekend of the playoffs, check below:
1. Lincoln (10-0) (Last week: 1)
The Railsplitters point differential in 10 games – 438-44 – is flat-out absurd. Lincoln is a team on a mission, as its dominant 56-6 rout of John Adams to start the playoffs showed. It figures to get a stiffer test Saturday against talented Jefferson, though nobody has been able to give coach Shawn O’Connor club much of a game yet.
Next: No. 8 Thomas Jefferson, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
2. Tottenville (9-1) (2)
It speaks to the program’s depth and coaching expertise that Tottenville can lose starting quarterback Brandon Barnes (ACL) and put up 44 and 31 points in consecutive weeks against stellar teams Campus Magnet and Brooklyn Tech. Saturday’s rematch against Campus Magnet won’t be easy, but the Pirates remain a favorite to get to Yankee Stadium in early December with former slot receiver Brandon DiGirolamo stepping in under center for Barnes and Alvin Cornelius, Augustus Edwards and Co. continuing their standout seasons.
Next: No. 5 Campus Magnet, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
3. Erasmus Hall (7-3) (3)
The Dutchmen’s improved run defense will be put to the test against Boys & Girls’ Wing-T attack. Erasmus Hall is coming off back-to-backs shutouts of Midwood and John F. Kennedy and has won four straight. But Boys & Girls is just as hot, with four wins in a row as well, and will be extra motivated for revenge from its week 2 loss to the Dutchmen.
Next: No. 6 Boys & Girls, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
4. Fort Hamilton (8-2) (4)
Robert Thomas singlehandedly led Fort Hamilton to the quarterfinals, scoring on a pair of rushing touchdowns and two-point conversions in the Tigers’ 16-15 win over Sheepshead Bay. It was a remarkable performance by the hard-nosed senior, who usually plays fullback on offense but moved under center because of injuries to quarterbacks Marvin Centeno and Travon Reid Segure.
Next: No. 7 DeWitt Clinton, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
5. Campus Magnet (7-3) (5)
The Bulldogs are headed back to Huguenot, where they were hammered by Tottenville, 44-19, to end the regular season. The final score wasn’t indicative of the game – Campus Magnet ran the ball effectively, but quarterback Kahlik Greenwood was victimized by the city’s top secondary as he threw four interceptions. The junior bounced back on Saturday with two TDs in a 14-12 win over Curtis, another Staten Island power. He will need to be even better this week against the Pirates for the Queens school to pull the upset.
Next: @ No. 2 Tottenville, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
6. Boys & Girls (7-3) (6)
Coach Clive Harding opened up the offense this week after spending so much of the regular season running, running and running some more. Quarterback Keon Marsh responded by completing all seven of his passing attempts for 122 yards and two touchdown. Throwing more will open up the ground game for Najee Champagne and Khadeem Campbell this week against Erasmus Hall.
Next: @ No. 3 Erasmus Hall, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
7. DeWitt Clinton (7-3) (9)
At the season’s outset, Clinton coach Howard Langley said this could be his best offense yet. It’s certainly looking that way of late for the Governors, who have scored at least 28 points in each of their last three games – all wins – put up 34 on a very good Port Richmond team on Sunday. Quarterback Ryan Camilo was brilliant in the win, running for one score and throwing for two more. Clinton will be looking for its first semifinal appearance under Langley when it takes on defending champion Fort Hamilton on Saturday.
Next: @ No. 4 Fort Hamilton, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
8. Thomas Jefferson (4-6) (NR)
Watching the Orange Wave take apart Canarsie on Saturday, it’s hard to fathom how this team went 3-6 during the regular season. Quarterback Al Stewart is one of the top signal-callers in the PSAL, running back Michael Abanikanda is apowerful and speedy force and wide receivers Kendall (Speedy) Thomas, Neville Alexander and Dajon Dixon are all dangerous playmakers. Jefferson will not be an easy out, even for undefeated Lincoln in the quarterfinals this weekend.
Next: @ No. 1 Lincoln, PSAL City Championship division quarterfinals (Nov. 19, 12 p.m.)
9. Curtis (6-4) (8)
It’s going to be a long offseason in St. George. Football equipment isn’t supposed to be put away this early. This is usually the Warriors time of year, but they saw their season end in Queens against Campus Magnet for the second straight year.
Next: Season complete
10. Canarsie (7-3) (7)
Though disappointing, Saturday’s 24-0 loss to Thomas Jefferson doesn’t take away from Canarsie’s throwback regular season. The Chiefs won seven games, beat playoff teams Boys & Girls, Sheepshead Bay and DeWitt Clinton, and return several key pieces, such as middle linebacker/fullback Donchervell Smith, defensive end Joel Philius, quarterback Giovanni Alexis and wide receiver/defensive back Antonio Snell. This was just a start for this group, which will be a title contender next fall.
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ext: Season complete
New: Thomas Jefferson (4-6)
Dropped out: Port Richmond (6-4)
On the bubble: Port Richmond (6-4), Sheepshead Bay (5-5), Flushing (5-5) and John F. Kennedy (5-5)