The last week of the NYCHSFL regular season is here, and with power points published, we have a lot more information on how the playoffs are looking for this year.

‘AAA’

It appears that Monsignor Farrell has wrapped up the #1 seed, though of course with Iona still lurking, it is imperative that they keep their season going in the win column. The only bit of intrigue on the ‘AAA’ is playoff positioning between Chaminade and Stepinac. Both teams play important games to battle for a home playoff game.

Power Points Below:

• Monsignor Farrell 151.08
• Iona Prep 141.66
• St. Anthony’s 133.33
• Archbishop Stepinac 123
• Chaminade 119.33
• Cardinal Hayes 100.41

‘AA-1’

In the ‘AA-1’, only 7 points separate the 5 seed from the 1 seed, with only a 1.5 points separating the top 3 teams. With St. Francis Prep done, it will be imperative for Xavier and Sea to win their games to retain top playoff spots. Sea plays a dangerous Xaverian team that is motivated Of course, the game between SJB and STP is enormous, as both teams clinch a home playoff game with a win.

Another note on the ‘AA-1’, due to the nature of the Turkey Bowl between Fordham Prep and Xavier, reseeding will be done to prevent a playoff matchup. If Fordham Prep and Xavier make it to the championship, the Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving morning will serve as the ‘AA-1’ championship.

Power Points Below:

• St. Joseph by the Sea 126.66
• St. Francis Prep 126.41
• Xavier 125.41
• St. John the Baptist 122.33
• St. Peter’s 119.41
• Fordham Prep 114.61
• Kellenberg 109

‘AA-2’

In the ‘AA-2’, Holy Trinity and Holy Cross are locked into their spots. Holy Cross finished league play last week, and Holy Trinity plays Nazareth. A win there nets them zero points, but they will still need to play that game. Xaverian will be battling to keep their top seed, I think that the gap between HC and Xaverian is too much, but you never know. CTK could wrestle the 3 seed away from Trinity with a win against Xavier. Cardinal Spellman and Kennedy will be battling for the 6 seed. I am not sure how it would work, but I think there may be a chance Kennedy can jump Mount at the 5 spot if they win.

Power Points Below:

• Xaverian 129.13
• Holy Cross 124.75
• Holy Trinity 118.38
• Christ the King 116.38
• Mount St. Michael 95.71
• Cardinal Spellman 94.76
• Kennedy Catholic 93.04
• St. Dominic’s 73.71
• Nazareth 65.71

All will be settled on Sunday after week 9 concludes.

I was 8-2 in picks last week. I think I should rethink how I do this. What do you think?

• Fordham Prep (‘AA-1) vs St. Anthony’s (‘AAA’)- SportsEngine Broadcast
  • The Rams had a tough loss last Sunday, losing to St. John the Baptist by 1 point, off of a failed 2 pt conversion to win the game. The offense has looked much better in recent weeks, putting up 21 and 26 points respectively. Unfortunately for them, they run into a buzz saw in the Friars off of a short week of practice. The Friars dominated Stepinac in their contest on Saturday. I know that the St. Anthony’s is going to go in to try to make a statement before the playoffs, and their trip to Rose Hill on Friday night will be no different. I am choosing St. Anthony’s to win this one.
• Xavier (‘AA-1) vs Christ the King (‘AA-2’)- Hudl Broadcast
  • A Friday night showdown between two teams that have powerful run games. Xavier has been off for the past two weeks, but this break comes at an ideal time for them to get healthy. Four ball carriers for the Knights come it with more than 340 yards. Riley McLaughlin and Elijah Stewart, their power backs, combine for 831 yards and 14 touchdowns, while their more explosive backs, Peter Heaney and Tyler Buono, combine for 1,267 yards and 9 touchdowns. This powerful run game has accumulated an impressive 2,166 yards and 24 touchdowns on the year. The Royals though, come in with a phenom running back of their own. The offense powered by Isaiah Smith, has dominated the ‘AA-2’ on the ground. Smith himself has accumulated 1,184 yards and 20 touchdowns, taking the lion’s share of the 1,443 yards of rushing offense. The formula to beating Xavier is simple to say, but difficult to execute. This is a game where it is important for both teams. Christ the King is looking to move up in the playoffs with a win, while Xavier would love to make a play for the top seed of the ‘AA-1’. I am taking Xavier to win this one.
• St. Joseph by the Sea (‘AA-1) vs Xaverian (‘AA-2’)- SportsEngine Broadcast
  • Another pivotal match up, the Vikings came out of the Lion’s den bloodied and beaten, but with the rest of the season in front of them. Sea needs a win to retain their top playoff spot, and to get their groove going to make a repeat championship run. Xaverian, led by Terrence Watson, are preparing for a repeat championship run of their own in the ‘AA-2’, and a victory at Sea would be a great pick me up to go into the playoffs. Xaverian has already shown they can compete with ‘AA-1’ teams, and this will be no different, though on Sea’s side, they desperately need the win to earn that coveted bye week. I think this will be a back and forth game, but defense wins the day in the CHSFL. I am picking St. Joseph by the Sea.
• Kennedy Catholic (‘AA-2’) vs Cardinal Spellman (‘AA-2’)- SportsEngine Broadcast
  • Battling for the 6 seed, the Gaels from Somers welcome to Pilots to their house on Friday night in a pivotal ‘AA-2’ game. To add more drama, the winner of this game could move up to the 5 seed since the lead that Mount has is so tight. The point is, both teams have a lot to play for, and will be a key game going into November. In the woods, on Halloween night, I am taking KJ Dillon and Kennedy Catholic to beat out the Pilots led by Elijah Walker and Jahkari Silva.
• Mount St. Michael (‘AA-2’) vs Holy Cross (‘AA-2’) (Nonleague)- Hudl Broadcast
  • With both teams solidified their playoff standing that is in their control, the nonleague clash between ‘AA-2’ foes is going to be fierce. Both teams need to get right and get hot before going into the playoffs. Mount has rattled off two wins in a row, but Holy Cross has struggled in the month of October. With Jacob Jimenez throwing to Ryan Reid, Drew Diaz, and Ryan Urena. Victor Declet is their engine on the ground with 527 yards rushing. Holy Cross, though no stats are listed, is a well balanced team and will look to their quarterback Madden Martinez to guide this team to a win. This will be an important game for both teams, but I am ultimately going to choose Holy Cross to win.
• St. Peter’s (‘AA-1) vs St. John the Baptist (‘AA-1) – SportsEngine Broadcast
  • When I talk about pivotal games, this is probably THE pivotal game in the ‘AA-1’. St. John the Baptist is coming in hot, winning their last three games. Led by Maurice Scott, the Cougars are looking to make noise this postseason, but would like to do so from the comforts of West Islip rather than on the road. To do this, they will have to beat a strong and motivated St. Peter’s squad. The Eagles had been red hot, but ran into a brick wall last week, falling to Holy Trinity. Now on the outside looking in when it comes to playing at home, the Eagles desperately need a win against the diocesan school to secure a playoff game at home. The Eagles will need to finish their drives, as four turnovers in scoring position sunk their chances at win last week. This is still a talented team with a ton of strong weapons all over the field to go along with a tough run defense. SJB will challenge them both on the ground and through the air, as Scott and Percer on the ground is as formidable as Scott throwing to Peters, Redding, and Percer. While I do view St. John the Baptist as a slightly more explosive version of the Titans (SJB and HT played each other very close in a non-league bout earlier this year), I think the Eagles weather the storm. I am choosing St. Peter’s to win this game and make their case for a top seed.
• Kellenberg (‘AA-1) vs Chaminade (‘AAA’)- Hudl Broadcast
  • The Flyers will paying their fellow Marianist and Long Island neighbor this week in a game they need to win. With some help, the Flyers may be able to clinch a home playoff game (we will see how the points shake out on Saturday night/Sunday). Chaminade was able to escape Columbia with a win last week due to the late game heroics of Sean Carnevale. The Firebirds will be motivated to beat the Flyers and ruin their chances in the ‘AAA’, but it will be difficult. Last week, Kellenberg found themselves overwhelmed by Iona Prep, but there may be things to build on as JohnHastings hauled in two touchdowns last week. When all is said and done, I think the tough, physical play of Chaminade will win the day. I am picking Chaminade to win this one.
• Iona Prep (‘AAA’) vs Archbishop Stepinac (‘AAA’)- SportsEngine Broadcast
  • A blowout last year, this Westchester rivalry is renewed with each team looking for something to prove. Stepinac lost a tough game to the Friars, and are fighting for a home playoff game next week. To get that, they absolutely need a win. Iona needs to continue their winning ways as they prepare for the playoffs. A win here would solidify an incredible run by the Gaels over the past two years. The key for Stepinac will be stop the powerful offense of the Gaels, which has the ability to hurt you in many ways. The Gaels will look to reduce the effectiveness of Julani Graham, the anchor of that Crusader defense, by spreading the ball around. Stepinac, with their dual quarterback system, is predicated on a strong run game, led by John Smith, who has 730 yards on the ground. I do think this will be a fun game, but I think Iona Prep wins this one.
• Monsignor Farrell (‘AAA’) vs Cardinal Hayes (‘AAA’)- SportsEngine Broadcast
  • To justify their top spot, and questions surrounding it, Farrell has the opportunity to solidify their hold on the ‘AAA’ division crown as they host a Cardinal Hayes team that is talented as any in the league. With Kyle Mercorelli throwing to Booker, Drobnak, and Howard, the Hayesmen can put up points in a hurry. Their bruising and explosive run game, led by Khalid Hedges, balances out a very talented offense. If the Lion’s are not careful, they could find themselves in a hole. Cardinal Hayes needs a complete game. Their offense played very well last week early on, and late, but went silent for much of the game. Their defense was excellent much of the game, but became leaky towards the end. If Cardinal Hayes can put it together, I don’t see a reason why they cannot compete. The Lions will likely lean on their powerful run game, led by Kevin Gumb Jr., who is spelled by Anthony Vento and Gianni Pasqualone. Bryce Moye leads a passing attack that balances out their run game, throwing to Alex Ustun, and Braxton Moye. This could be a fun one in the Lion’s Den, but I will take Monsignor Farrell to win and lock up the division title.
• Nazareth (‘AA-2’) vs Holy Trinity (‘AA-2’)- No Stream
  • It has been a tough year for Nazareth. The Kingmen have seemed overwhelmed all year, but have hung tough, gearing up and playing a tough, physical, and long CHSFL season. They don’t get any breaks this week, as they gear up to play Holy Trinity, who is playing as good as any team in the ‘AA-2’. Having won 4 of their past 5 games, the Titans led by Gino Tassone will need to get his team focused, and ready for a championship run. This has been a learning experience for Nazareth, and they will have an offseason to get right. I am picking Holy Trinity to win this one.

The Game of the Week for week 9 is St. Peter’s vs St. John the Baptist. With just a few points separating the ‘AA-1’ top seeds, this is an important game for playoff positioning. St. Peter’s is the host, and they play a red hot St. John the Baptist squad looking to make some noise in the ‘AA-1’ playoffs.

Pete’s Prognostication Record 2025: 78-24