St. Joseph by the Sea and Holy Cross won again and they remain at the top of the CHSFL weekly rankings on a collision course for a scary good Halloween clash. In fact, there is no movement in the top half of this week’s rankings.
But there’s plenty in the bottom, with undefeated Cardinal Hayes jumping to No. 7 after an impressive win against St. John the Baptist and Xavier entering the top 10 at No. 9 after winning two of its last three games.
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (4-0) (Last week: 1)
There’s a buzz about the Vikings with some calling them the Iona Prep of the 2009 season. Last year the Gaels went undefeated en route to the Class AAA championship. But in Huguenot, it’s just business as usual for Greg Manos’ men. They systematically dismantled Chaminade Sunday, completing a clean sweep of Long Island foes.
Next: @ No. 8 St. Francis Prep (Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.)
2. Holy Cross (4-1) (2)
Tom Pugh loves going to Monsignor Farrell and it has nothing to do with some quality Italian food on Staten Island. The longtime Holy Cross coach has left the Lions Den with a win in his last three trips to Oakwood, including a 28-7 win Saturday night. Barrington Wallace returned after missing two games due to a concussion and rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown and Dean Marlowe did what he does best – dominate the game.
Next: Kellenberg (Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m.)
3. Monsignor Farrell (3-2) (3)
The Lions would have moved down, but No. 4 Xaverian also lost. Against a physical and fast defense, Farrell couldn’t get anything going offensively in a 28-7 loss to Holy Cross Saturday night. The running game was non-existent and the passing game was inconsistent. That’s a very bad combination, especially against a team the caliber of Holy Cross. The Lions have a lot of pride and bounced back well from their first league loss. Can they do it again? That answer comes Saturday night in The Bronx.
Next: @ No. 5 Fordham Prep (Oct. 17, 8 p.m.)
4. Xaverian (2-3) (4)
The Clippers have lost three straight after a 34-12 defeat to Holy Trinity, and are finding it tough to hang with some of the league’s elite teams. Turnovers and mistakes were again a problem. One of the bright stops has been the play of freshman running back Zach Kearney. He carried the ball 12 times for 180 yards and a touchdown and has shown consistent improvement each week.
Next: No. 6 Mount St. Michael (Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.)
5. Fordham Prep (2-3) (5)
Fordham Prep coach Pete Gorynski didn’t leave Coffey Field pleased Friday night, but the Rams picked up a critical victory, beating Kellenberg 17-14. The hero, as is often the case, was Bruce Grant, who rushed for 176 yards and a touchdown. Not much else went right for Fordham Prep, which has another huge game Saturday night against Monsignor Farrell.
Next: No. 3 Monsignor Farrell (Oct. 17, 8 p.m.)
6. Mount St. Michael (1-3) (6)
The Mountaineerw secured a thrilling come-from-behind win over St. Francis Prep last week. Fullback Gary Acquah scored twice, including the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Terrence Tyler blocked an SFP field goal attempt to seal the 28-26 victory. Coach Mario Valentini’s club has a chance to make it two in a row when they visit slumping Xaverian Friday night.
Next: @ No. 4 Xaverian (Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.)
7. Cardinal Hayes (5-0) (8)
There are four undefeated teams in the CHSFL and one of them resides in The Bronx. Hayes just keeps rolling along after a 42-28 win at St. John the Baptist Sunday afternoon. C.J. O’Neil has the horses so he opened up the offense and the results have been dazzling. The Cardinals have hopes of finishing the season undefeated, but a big obstacle is fellow unbeaten Archbishop Stepinac in two weeks.
Next: @ Christ the King (Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m.)
8. St. Francis Prep (0-5) (7)
The Terriers were oh-so-close to securing that elusive first victory last week. They led Mount St. Michael 19-7 at the half, but could not stop the Mountaineer on the ground. While St. Francis Prep has yet to pull a game out, it has proven they are a pesky team having played tight with Chaminade, Fordham Prep and Farrell. They face their toughest test in unbeaten St. Joseph by the Sea this week,
Next: No. 1 St. Joseph by the Sea (Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.)
9. Xavier (2-3) (NR)
The Knights are starting to find their stride. Coach Chris Stevens’ club has won two of its last three games, including an impressive 20-7 victory at St. Peter’s Sunday. Xavier’s running attack, led by Chris Mattina and Jonny Clark, controlled the tempo of the game and kept the Eagles offense off the field. John Wilson made the big play on a 68-yard TD grab and the defense continues to improve each week.
Next: @ Bishop Ford (Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m.)
10. St. Peter’s (2-2) (9)
A week after watching their defense have a field day against Cardinal Spellman, the Eagles couldn’t contain Xavier’s single-wing attack as the Knights methodically drove down field. St. Peter’s offense, which was barely on the field, never got going and the only damage running back Hakim Rice did was on a long kickoff return. A matchup against undefeated Stepinac may not be the best remedy.
Next: @ Archbishop Stepinac (Oct. 17, 7 p.m.)
New: Xavier (2-3)
Dropped out: Bishop Ford (2-3)
On the bubble: Bishop Ford (2-3)