It has taken almost two months, but we finally have major movement atop The Post’s New York City HS football rankings.
Poly Prep is bounced from its perch after falling to Benedictine (Va.), 21-20, on Saturday, which moves undefeated St. Joseph by the Sea to No. 1 following a trouncing of winless St. Francis Prep.
No. 3 Holy Cross also won in a rout, but before Sea and Cross clash on Halloween they each have big-time challenges this weekend. The Vikings are home for defending CHSFL Class AAA champions Iona Prep on Saturday, while the Knights welcome perennial powerhouse St. Anthony’s on Sunday.
In the PSAL, Fort Hamilton moved up to No. 2 after picking up its 21st consecutive regular-season victory. Erasmus Hall and DeWitt Clinton each advanced one spot, to fifth and seventh, respectively, while Curtis fell to ninth after falling to Susan Wagner, and Tottenville replaced Sheepshead Bay to round out our top 10.
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (5-0) (Last week: 2)
The Vikings scored on their first seven possessions en route to a 65-32 win over St. Francis Prep Friday night and, coupled with Poly Prep’s first loss of the season, move into the top spot in our rankings for the first time this season. We don’t expect any celebrations this week in Huguenot, though. Greg Manos’ squad is all business and the only recognition they’re looking for comes after the CHSFL ‘AAA’ title game.
Next: Iona Prep (Oct. 24, 1:30 p.m.)
2. Fort Hamilton (7-0) (3)
The Tigers defense doesn’t intimidate the opposition with a fearsome pass rush or through stifling run stopping. They just produce, week in and week out. There are some pretty talented guys on that side of the ball, be it middle linebacker Todd Lauchner or safety Brandon Reddish. More than those individuals, the unit is better than the sum of its parts. Since allowing 26 points to Sheepshead Bay in Week 1, Fort Hamilton has given up just 44 points and has pitched a pair of shutouts. So while the offense of Frank Laino, A.J. Richardson and company receive plenty of attention, the other side of the ball deserves some accolades, too.
Next: @ Canarsie (Oct. 24, 12 p.m.)
3. Holy Cross (5-1) (4)
The Knights did what they had to do in a blowout of Kellenberg Saturday afternoon. But the toughest part of their schedule is yet to come. Holy Cross has a brutal end to the regular season, facing St. Anthony’s (L.I.) and St. Joseph by the Sea in back-to-back weeks. The Knights match up well with both squads and the final two weeks of the CHSFL regular season will be the true test to see how serious a contender Tom Pugh’s squad is.
Next: St. Anthony’s (Oct. 25, 1:30 p.m.)
4. Poly Prep (5-1) (1)
The Blue Devils appeared to be cruising, leading 20-0 midway through the third quarter on a pair of Ashton Ghaffaar touchdowns and another score by Faton Bauta. But then the wheels came off in spectacular fashion as Poly fell to Benedictine (Va.), 21-20. The Cadets earned a measure of revenge for a 42-14 pasting in Brooklyn a year ago when they were 9-0. Poly wraps up a four-game road trip Saturday in Salisbury, Conn.
Next: @ Salisbury School (Conn.) (Oct. 24, 2:30 p.m.)
5. Erasmus Hall (7-0) (6)
Are Danny Landberg’s Dutchmen a team of destiny or are they bound to trip up? The answer will be revealed shortly. Erasmus Hall is one of two PSAL clubs to remain undefeated – No. 2 Fort Hamilton is the other – but the Brooklyn school needed to rally in the fourth quarter to pull out victories over one-win Boys & Girls and Midwood the last two weeks. The offense bailed out the Dutchmen in come-from-behind wins over Magnet and Brooklyn Tech. They are playing with fire, no doubt, a habit that could haunt this talented, but also young, group come November.
Next: @ Grady (Oct. 24, 12 p.m.)
6. Xaverian (3-3) (10)
It wasn’t pretty, but Xaverian broke out of a three-game losing streak in a big way Sunday by beating Mount St. Michael, 27-8, at Kings Bay. The future is now for the Clippers, as freshman running back Zach Kearney is a big reason why Xaverian may reach the CHSFL Class AAA playoffs.
Next: @ Kellenberg (Oct. 24, 7 p.m.)
7. DeWitt Clinton (6-1) (8)
Friday’s commanding 38-14 win over John F. Kennedy was far more than just another regular-season victory. It signified a passing of the torch in Bronx supremacy, for the time being at least. Kennedy is struggling through its worst year in ages, Clinton is on its way to possibly a long postseason run. It may not just be a one-year thing. The most important Governors player is quarterback Joaquin DeJesus, a junior who gets better each week. The Knights have no such reason for optimism.
Next: @ Lehman (Oct. 24, 12 p.m.)
8. Fordham Prep (3-3) (NR)
The Rams needed a win last week and they won ugly against Kellenberg. They needed another victory this week and they again eked one out, beating Monsignor Farrell, 13-7, in double overtime at Coffey Field Saturday night. While Bruce Grant gets most of the attention for his running ability, the story of the day was Fordham Prep’s defense, which made a pair of goal-line stands to keep Pete Gorynski’s squad in contention for a CHSFL Class AAA playoff berth.
Next: Mount St. Michael (Oct. 24, 1:30 p.m.)
9. Curtis (5-2) (5)
The emergence of Shaquan Coles continued last Saturday. In a 30-26 loss to Susan Wagner, he ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns. The talented junior now leads the PSAL in rushing yards (1,108), rushing touchdowns (14) and points scored (98). Just imagine what the shifty back is capable of next fall?
Next: Bayside (Oct. 24, 12 p.m.)
10. Tottenville (5-2) (NR)
Give the Pirates credit for getting off the mat so quickly. Tottenville blasted New Dorp, 40-20, a week after a 38-14 bludgeoning by ninth-ranked Curtis. Quarterback Jon Derbyshire has started to throw the ball efficiently once again; he completed 12-of-16 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns to Alvin Cornelius.
Next: @ Susan Wagner (Oct. 24, 1 p.m.)
New: Fordham Prep (3-3) and Tottenville (5-2)
Dropped out: Monsignor Farrell (3-3) and Sheepshead Bay (4-3)
On the bubble: Monsignor Farrell (3-3), Cardinal Hayes (6-0), Moore Catholic (6-0), Campus Magnet (5-2), Brooklyn Tech (5-2), Susan Wagner (4-3), Lincoln (4-3) and Sheepshead Bay (4-3)