The playoffs are here! I don’t know about you guys, but I am hyped up about seeing how the post season tournaments go. I feel there are several championship contenders in each division, and I would not be surprised if any of them won the championship.

With the intrigue as strong as it is, these posts will follow a similar format to last year, where I make my commentary for each match up, make my prediction, and then have a moment of silence for all the teams’ season whose ended the previous week.

For my prognostication in week 9, I was 10-0. Why is the CHSFL so predictable? Anyways, onto the playoffs.

‘AAA’

#1 Monsignor Farrell- BYE

#2 Iona Prep- BYE

#3 St. Anthony’s vs #6 Cardinal Hayes- Varsity Media Broadcast

• A rematch from earlier this season, Cardinal Hayes travels back to South Huntington to take on St. Anthony’s. The first game could not have gone worse for the Cardinals, as the Friars opened up a 28-0 lead in the first half and ended with a final score of 42-14. While it wasn’t necessarily the offense that was the issue, key mistakes, and unlucky bounces on promising drives plagued the Hayesmen. Special teams play left a lot to be desired, and the usually stout defense was exhausted by the end of the game. For the Friars, Anthony Diieso was efficient in this game, going 11-14 for 116 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Bala was dominant, accumulating 102 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns. Since then, the passing game has become even more of a force for the Friars, utilizing efficient screens, and play action passes to loosen the defense to allow Bala to be even more effective. I trust the Hayes defense, but the special teams and offense need to hold up their end of the deal. Khalid Hedges, Kyle Mercorelli, Aiden Howard, Eric Drobnak, and Johnnye Booker will be key in the execution of the offense. On a Friday evening in November, I am picking St. Anthony’s to win this game.

#4 Archbishop Stepinac vs #5 Chaminade- Sports Engine Broadcast

• Archbishop Stepinac looks for revenge, as Chaminade escaped with a victory against the Crusaders in overtime. This will be a tough, physical game between two teams whose philosophy is to run the ball. On Stepinac’s side, John Smith is the main guy, rushing for 796 yards and four touchdowns on the year. Smith is complimented by a duo of quarterbacks, Grayer Hong and Jahmai McNeil, who have combined for 1,388 yards passing and ten touchdowns through the air, mostly to Richie DeMarco and Jordyn Eaton, who combined for 56 catches, 803 yards, and six touchdowns. For the Flyers, Sean Carnevale has a staggering 1,749 yards through the air with twelve passing touchdowns, and is aided by Anthony Trapani, who has 102 carries, 792 yards and nine touchdowns. Through the air, Carnevale utilizes Sean Powers and Michael Genovese, who together have 68 catches, 1,058 yards, and seven touchdowns. The stage is set, and these two teams will clash on Saturday afternoon. I am picking Archbishop Stepinac to come away with a win and exact revenge.

‘AA-1’

#1 St. Joseph by the Sea- BYE

#2 Xavier vs #7 Kellenberg Memorial- Hudl Broadcast

• The Xavier Knights continue their campaign for a championship, one they feel they are due for since their last title (‘AA-2’ title in 2022), on Saturday night at windy Aviator field in Brooklyn. The Single Wing usually comes alive in the playoffs, as temperatures drops, and a fell wind falls over the city. The ground and pound philosophy will be alive and well. The Knights have a plethora of weapons and ways to hurt you on the ground, as they have six different players scoring a touchdown on the ground, and four backs with over 400 yards. The headliner is clearly Peter Heaney, who comes into this game with 947 yards and nine touchdowns. But the other backs serve the team well with power backs Elijah Stewart (490 yards, six touchdowns) and Riley McLaughlin (450 yards, eight touchdowns), and their wing back home run hitter, Tyler Buono (413 yards, two touchdowns). Reminiscent of the four horsemen days in 2007, Xavier has compiled 2,426 yards on the ground and 28 touchdowns. On defense, the Knights are led by Robert Milacci, who has 63 tckles on the year, with 9 tackles for loss. The Knights defense seems to live in the backfield with 16 sacks on the year, and 42 tackles for a loss as a unit. Kellenberg comes in playing perhaps the toughest schedule of the ‘AA-1’, drawing Stepinac, Iona, St. Anthony’s, and Chaminade in their league bout, the Firebirds are battle tested. Led by Dan Licari, who has thrown for an impressive 1,408 yards, and a backfield led by Brendan Barkley and Jaden McLeod that has 1,076 yards on the ground. The Firebirds system is strong when they can run their offense, employing a plodding, physical game that limits possessions. The issue here is the weather. Aviator, especially at night in November, is notoriously difficult to throw in, which will limit Kellenberg’s offensive game. I think Xavier wins this one on Saturday night.

#3 St. Francis Prep vs #6 Fordham Prep- No Stream Available

• In the battle of the Preps, St. Francis Prep will look to make it two in a row against the Rams of Rose Hill in a rematch of a closely contested game earlier this season. In the aforementioned contest at Coffey Field, the Terriers prevailed as the Rams had trouble generating points all night. This is a Terrier team on a mission, trying to revive and bring back the glory days of years’ past. The Terriers are balanced with Jack Leary throwing for 1,269 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season, and their stable of backs compiling 1,294 yards rushing. Led by Sean Ibert, who has put together an impressive season, the Terriers have the players to compete with anyone. Ibert himself has 69 touches (receptions and carries), 859 yards, and a staggering 16 touchdowns. The leading receiver and favorite target of Leary is Rocco Petronella, who has 33 catches, 537 yards, and four touchdowns. St. Francis Prep will have to contend with one of the best defensive units in the ‘AA-1’. Led by Kevin Cameron and David Agyemang, the Rams defensive line has been described as “big, intimidating, and humbling” by opponents who have had to face them. The key to this game for the Rams is going to be offense, which has come alive in recent weeks with a 21 point win vs Holy Trinity, and a 26 point day in a close loss to St. John the Baptist. Collin Ballantyne, and George Jackson Jr. will look to throw to Mendim Dacaj, Alessandro Sanchez, Adam Hermosura, and Lake Chiesi to move the ball through the air, and hand the ball off to Luke McKay on the ground. The Rams have had a tough season, playing the ‘AA-1’ title defenders in Sea, St. Anthony’s, and Monsignor Farrell in their league schedule. They are very capable of winning this game. That being said, I am going with St. Francis Prep to come away with a win on Sunday afternoon.

#4 St. Peter’s vs #5 St. John the Baptist- Sports Engine Broadcast

• Another rematch, the St. Peter’s will host St. John the Baptist again in an early Saturday matchup with kickoff at noon. The winner of this game will play the defending ‘AA-1’ Champion, and #1 seed St. Joseph by the Sea. The Eagles will look to repeat their standout defensive game. The defense played excellently, taking the ball away multiple times, and setting up the offense in great field position. Victor Baez and Josiah Jones came down with touchdowns from Anthony D’Acunto through the air, and the combination of Ben Terry, Anthony D’Acunto, Victor Baez, and Nicholas Gnerre compiled 229 yards on the ground on just 22 carries. Ben Terry led the way, having 114 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown. The Eagles have found themselves through out the season, going from a high power run game that had 2,739 rushing yards in 2024 to a much more effective passing game, with D’Acunto compiling an impressive 1,527 yards passing and ten touchdowns. The running game, while limited this year, has been effective with 990 yards and nine touchdowns. The offense is balanced, creative, and most importantly, gets the job done. The defense is what leads this team, with 23 sacks, 60 tackles for a loss, and 10 more interceptions to boot. Chace Navarro stands out to me, scoring multiple touchdowns on the year, and has notched 5 interceptions. St. John the Baptist is centered around their explosive running game, led by Kalen Percer, and Maurice Scott. Scott himself has over 1,200 yard passing and 12 touchdowns, with more than 950 yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground. Kalen Percer, in just six games, has over 570 yards rushing and six touchdowns. In last weeks game, the Cougars could not seem to get anything going on offense, but their defense, led by Chris Trinca put up a valiant effort. They will need a similar effort from their defense, and the offense has to execute and move the ball for the Cougars to have a chance. What can change in one week? Quite a bit, but from my perspective, it would be quite a turnaround in just 1 week. Still the game must be played, and in the playoffs anything can happen. I am taking St. Peter’s.

‘AA-2’

#1 Holy Cross vs #8 St. Dominic’s- No Stream Available

• The #1 seed of the ‘AA-2’, Holy Cross looks to redeem themselves after losing a close game in the championship last season. They come back hungry and with a wealth of experience that they will draw on. The Knights welcome St. Dominic’s from Oyster Bay in their first season back in the NYCHSFL after a long hiatus. I have watched some of their games, and I have to say, the effort was there. The Bayhawks did move the ball effectively at times during the season, but ultimately would fizzle out at the end of drives. Dominic’s can make this a game if they finish on their drives, and play sound fundamental football. Holy Cross, I have found to have struggled towards the end of the season, going 2-2 after a 3-1 start. Holy Cross has finally posted their stats, and their offense is led by quarterback Madden Martinez, who has thrown for an impressive 1,406 yards and 13 touchdowns. Leading the offense through the air is Caleb Rivera, who has 20 catches, 382 yards, and five touchdowns on the season, Ricard Franco, who has 22 catches, 257 yards, and two touchdowns, and Kenneth Brassfield-Dailey, who has 17 catches 371 yards, and four touchdowns. Outside of Martinez, the most versatile player on the offense is senior Antione Williams, who stands at 5ft 11in and 220 lbs. Williams has 116 touches (96 carries and 20 receptions), for 943 yards, and eight touchdowns on the year. An impressive defense line led by Luca Collado, Pantelis Pantelakis, Xavier Godard, and Ethan Metellus will make any scoring difficult. I am going to take Holy Cross to win their third straight game, and earn a rematch between Kennedy Catholic or Christ the King.

#2 Xaverian vs #7 Cardinal Spellman- Youtube Broadcast

• Cardinal Spellman has had a tough year as they rebuild their program and face a difficult challenge. The defending ‘AA-2’ Champions have looked the part all season, winning games handily, and pushing ‘AA-1’ opponents to the brink. Their losses are exclusively to ‘AA-1’ opponents, and the Clippers asserted themselves well against St. John the Baptist, Xavier, and St. Joseph by the Sea. Led by their quarterback Terrence Watson, the Clippers have a variety of ways to hurt you, whether it is through the air, or on the ground with Brendon Salomon, Richie Aiken, or Watson himself. The Pilots will need to execute in the redzone, as I know they have young, talented players that Coach Burnett is building around. I am going to Xaverian in this game to win.

#3 Holy Trinity vs #6 Mount St. Michael- Youtube Broadcast

• While the first two games of the ‘AA-2’ are not rematches, this one is. Trinity beat Mount at the Mount earlier this season in a close 26-19 affair which started this current run the Titans are on. Coach Tassone and the Titans have won 5 of their last 6 games. Led by Ian Williams, the Titans have multiple ways to hurt you on offense. Whether it is Danny Burgin III, or Tyler Jerrick punishing you with their size and power, or Ian Williams or Damarien Singh dazzling you with their speed and agility, the ground offense is difficult to deal with. Ian Williams has gotten in his groove throwing the ball, notably throwing to sophomore Joseph Henn, Marcus Abellard, Darnell Rink, and freshman Ja’Sean Grafton. The Mount that I knew was all ground and pound, but this edition of the Mountaineers have moved the ball through the air with Jacob Jimenez, who is just a sophomore, throwing for 1,159 yards, and 12 touchdowns. The aerial attack is led by Ryan Reid, who has 27 catches, 543 yards, and eight touchdowns. Other targets include Drew Diaz (9 catches 208 yards, three touchdowns) and Ryan Urena (11 catches, 198 yards, three touchdowns). On the ground, the attack is led by Victor Declet, who leads the team with 671 yards and seven touchdowns. The Mount will need to have a steady run game to open up the pass, and Ian Williams and the Trinity defense as a whole is great at stopping the passing game. The Titans seem like a team on a mission, and I think they have just gotten better as the season has gone on. I am taking Holy Trinity to win this one in Hicksville.

#4 Christ the King vs #5 Kennedy Catholic- Hudl Broadcast

• The game will be taking place at the Mount in the Bronx, and a rematch of a Friday night thriller that ended with Christ the King winning 40-37, the Royals and Gaels clash in a battle of teams that have opposite offensive philosophies. The defenses of each team can be stingy, with Coach Dominick Tassone coaching a hard hitting unit, and Coach Ben Krauz resurrecting a Christ the King team that had impressive defensive bouts against much of the ‘AA-2’. On offense the Royals, they are centered around their running back Isaiah Smith, who has run for more than 1,200 yards and 20 (!) touchdowns on the year. This isn’t to say the Royals don’t have other weapons either, Geovanni Richardson has added over 200 yards on the ground, and the receiving duo of Melvin Beltran and Camryn Roque have combined for 19 receptions 408 yards, and four touchdowns. The Gaels from Somers have an aerial attack that is the very best in the ‘AA-2’, led by KJ Dillon. Dillon has thrown for 1,228 and 17 touchdowns to seven different receivers on the year. He spreads the ball around to a variety of targets, which include James Malone (15 catches, 213 yards, two touchdowns), Austin Lanara (13 catches, 249 yards, six touchdowns), Aiden Kinsley (12 catches, 255 yards, five touchdowns), and Sam Brooks (10 catches, 131 yards, one touchdown). On the ground, Kennedy has been much less effective, but they do show commitment, running the ball 181 times as a team for 604 yards. Lucas Rouse and Clifton Delatorre are the main ball carriers combining for 299 yards and four touchdowns on the year. The game earlier was so close, that I think it could go either way. Each team is centered around the play of one player, and but each moves the ball in a drastically different way. November football in the NYCHSFL almost always comes to domination on the ground. I am going to pick Christ the King to win this one.

The 2025 NYCHSFL Quarterfinals Game of the Week is Archbishop Stepinac vs Chaminade. A rematch of a thrilling game earlier in the year, it looks to be a slug fest in White Plains.

As the playoffs start, it is important to acknowledge, and have a moment of silence for team’s seasons who have ended, and there is a program that did not make the playoffs.

Nazareth Regional High School- Something of a homecoming for the Kingmen, the school in Brooklyn had a tough first year back in the league, going 0-7 in their seven league games. A smaller school, Nazareth’s return the NYCHSFL was always going to be tough. They suited up 33 players, 19 of them being seniors. While a lot of their games were tough for them, they hung in tough, and suited up every week to compete. This should be a wake up call for the program’s players, and they will need to implement a full offseason program to restock their roster. Hopefully, the returning players will have the necessary experience to go into the 2026 season. It was not all bad, the Kingmen were competitive against foes of similar size, like St. Dominic’s (22-6 loss) and Cardinal Spellman (8-6 loss). I look forward to seeing how Coach Gooden continues to rebuild this historical program.

Pete’s Prognostication Record: 88-24