Each week in the fall, NYPost.com’s Dylan Butler and Joseph Staszewski will attempt to prognosticate the coming Catholic High School Football League weekend.
RECORDS AFTER WEEK 2
Butler: 14-2 (8-1 in Week 2)
Staszewski: 13-3 (9-0 in Week 2)
Here’s Week 3:
St. Francis Prep @ Fordham Prep (Friday, 7 p.m.)
Butler: Someone has to win in this battle of winless teams. Fordham Prep’s offense has scored, but it’s defense has struggled to keep teams off the scoreboard. St. Francis Prep has done well defensively, but offensively? Not so much. Look for Prep to end its schneid. Fordham Prep, that is. Pick: Fordham Prep
Staszewski: Until the Terriers show me they can score points I can’t pick them. Sorry guys. Fordham Prep is coming off two very tough losses the last two weeks and is probably licking their chops as they await SFP to arrive at Coffey. The Terriers defense played well against Chaminade last week, but I can see Bruce Grant having a big day on the ground. Pick: Fordham Prep
Mount St. Michael @ Kellenberg (Friday, 7 p.m.)
Butler: Mount was manhandled last week in a season-opening 41-14 loss to St. Joseph by the Sea and I fully expect the Mountaineers to bounce back in a big way against a Kellenberg team that was also embarrassed last week. Consider this one my lock of the week. Pick: Mount St. Michael
Staszewski: The Mountaineers were certainly not impressive last week in getting beaten every which way by St. Joseph by the Sea. Quarterback Jaylen Amaker was tired of hearing about the team’s inexperience after the game. Well this is their week to put up. Kellenberg is certainly not Sea and Mount should be raring to go. I think the boys from The Bronx will get it done on the road. Pick: Mount St. Michael
St. Joseph by the Sea @ St. Anthony’s (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)
Butler: Quite simply, this is the game of the week. On Staten Island last year, Sea hung with mighty St. Anthony’s for three quarters before succumbing late. Greg Manos said his team is better this year and the Vikings certainly flexed their muscles in a 41-14 rout of Mount St. Michael. Now the true test, on the road, Friday night in South Huntington, L.I. Sea might finally beat the Friars, but not on Friday. Pick: St. Anthony’s
Staszewski: There may not be a bigger stage in New York high school football than under the lights at St. Anthony’s The Friars looked to be a juggernaut of a squad again, but St. Joseph by the Sea will be equal to the task. Coach Greg Mano’s bunch is big, mean and athletic and features one of the best running attacks in the city. The Vikings will be loose and certainly not intimidated. St. Anthony’s will find away to win, but this one will be close. Pick: St. Anthony’s
Xavier @ St. John the Baptist (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.)
Butler: Last year this was a breathtaking, high-scoring game won by Baptist, 49-44. But Xavier is without Seamus Kelly and an experienced offensive line and the Cougars no longer have Thomas Beverly. But Baptist has plenty of offensive weapons and they’ll put them on full display at home Saturday. Pick: St. John the Baptist
Staszewski: The Knights offense hasn’t shown much life the last two weeks as the team is still adjusting to life after Kelly. St. John the Baptist ran all over St. Peter’s last week, but showed they were susceptible to a good running game. I think Xavier will put up some points in this one, but the Cougars big play ability on both sides of the ball is what has me giving them the edge in this one. Pick: St. John the Baptist
Archbishop Stepinac @ Cardinal Spellman (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.)
Butler: I have two losses on the season, and both times I’ve picked against Archbishop Stepinac. Three times will not be the charm. I’ve learned my lesson. Tyrell Goodman and Caleb Gilligan-Evans will be too much for overmatched Spellman, which will be in for a long season. Pick: Archbishop Stepinac
Staszewski: The Pilots haven’t quite left the hanger yet this season, struggling in their first two games under new head coach Dan Crane. This certainly isn’t the matchup they would be looking for to get off the schneid. Stepinac has been impressive so far, posting wins over Fordham Prep and Xavier. The Crusaders will make it three in a row. Pick: Archbishop Stepinac
Christ the King @ St. Peter’s (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.)
Butler: Another meeting of winless teams, both who have premier running backs (Christ the King has William Hunter, while St. Peter’s has Hakim Rice, who had 170 yards on the ground in a 35-14 loss at St. John the Baptist. Playing at home, the Eagles will soar and come away with their first win. Pick: St. Peter’s
Staszewski: This maybe as evenly matched game as you will find this weekend. Both the Eagles and Royals have excellent offensive weapons behind inexperienced offensive lines, including two of the fastest running backs in the city in Hakim Rice and Will Hunter. The game will come down to offensive line play and turnovers. Whoever gets one giveaway could win it. I’m going with the Eagles because they are home and played well last week, outside of a few turnovers. Pick: St. Peter’s
Cardinal Hayes @ Bishop Ford (Saturday, 6 p.m.)
Butler: Cardinal Hayes earned some revenge for a loss in last year’s Class A title game and pounded the Cardinal Spellman Pilots, 43-13. But now they take a step up in competition and face upstart Bishop Ford, a surprising 2-0 after beating Long Island Lutheran and Christ the King. The Falcons won’t be 3-0, though. Pick: Cardinal Hayes
Staszewski: This game has shootout written all over it. Both teams have dynamic offenses. Ford had scored 77 points combined the last two weeks and Hayes put up 43 in its first game a week ago. The Falcons showed off wide receiver Steven Browne in its first game and that formidable running attack, lead by Devon Mitchell. Hayes featured one of the fastest men in New York City in Jeremiah Kobena. Pick: Bishop Ford
Xaverian @ Monsignor Farrell (Saturday, 7 p.m.)
Butler: This will also be an interesting match-up. On paper, Xaverian should have the edge and have been impressive in a pair of victories against Xavier and Fordham Prep. But the Clippers now head across the Verrazano and will meet a determined and improved Monsignor Farrell, who pull out the win in the Lions Den Saturday night. Pick: Monsignor Farrell
Staszewski: I am on the Clippers bandwagon until they give me a reason to jump off. They weren’t overly impressive in a tight win over Fordham Prep last week, but there is a lot to like. Xaverian has three quality running backs in Muhammad King, Tushaun Plummer and freshman Zach Kearney. Quarterback Greg Rando can make some plays too, not to mention Syracuse-bound Mario Tull. They will be too much to handle, even for a good Lions defense. Pick: Xaverian
Holy Trinity @ Holy Cross (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.)
Butler: After watching the Knights’ remarkable comeback and overtime win against Iona Prep from the sideline in New Rochelle last week (an upset I correctly predicted), I can’t pick against the Knights here, not at home. Sure the Titans are 2-0 and crushed Kellenberg 35-3 last week, but there’s no doubt Tom Pugh has warned his team about a letdown and they’ll respond in their home opener. Pick: Holy Cross
Staszewski: Will there be a letdown for the Knights after their thrilling come-from-behind win over defending ‘AAA’ champion Iona Prep? There could be, but that fact that Tom Pugh’s team is playing its first true home game of the season should be enough to counter that along with the thought they will not give up anything close to 42 points again. Trinity hasn’t played an elite team yet, with wins over St. John the Baptist and Kellenberg. The drive from Hicksville to Bayside certainly won’t help either. Pick: Holy Cross