As we dive into the offseason, I have been able to get the League schedule, as in the 7 game slate of league matchups scheduled in the 9 week regular season. It is important to understand that this cannot, and will not change. I know last year, there was a lot of questions about whether it can be edited, but if precedent is any indication, it will not. Last year, I did this by region, which I felt was nice, but I am not sure it was the best way to present it. So, this year, I will present by division, starting with the ‘AA-2’

‘AA-2’ League Schedule

#22 Nazareth

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: @ St. Dominic’s
• Week 4: Holy Cross
• Week 5: @ Mount St. Michael
• Week 6: @ Holy Trinity
• Week 7: Christ the King
• Week 8: @ Cardinal Spellman
• Week 9: @ Kennedy Catholic

Nazareth plays the entire ‘AA-2’ division, including two road trips from Weeks 5-6 and Weeks 8-9. The Kingmen were thrown into the fire last year, and it does not get any easier this year. The development and improvement of the program is critical this offseason.

#21 St. Dominic’s

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: Nazareth
• Week 4: @ Christ the King
• Week 5: Holy Trinity
• Week 6: Cardinal Spellman
• Week 7: @ St. John the Baptist
• Week 8: @ Kennedy Catholic
• Week 9: Mount St. Michael

St. Dominic’s has a more favorable schedule this year, staying on Long Island every game, except for Weeks 4 (CTK) and 8 (Kennedy Catholic). The only game that really sticks out to me is their matchup vs St. John the Baptist, a ‘AA-1’ team. The Bayhawks were baptized by fire last year, but that was to be expected after so long out of the NYCHSFL.

#20 Cardinal Spellman

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: Christ the King
• Week 4: @ Mount St. Michael
• Week 5: @ Holy Cross
• Week 6: @ St. Dominic’s
• Week 7: Kennedy Catholic
• Week 8: Nazareth
• Week 9: @ Xaverian

The Pilots open their league schedule with a tough matchup against Christ the King, then go on the road for three straight games, before welcoming their rival, Kennedy Catholic at home. Cardinal Spellman has a tough schedule this year.

#19 Kennedy Catholic

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: Mount St. Michael
• Week 4: @ Xaverian
• Week 5: Christ the King
• Week 6: @ Holy Cross
• Week 7: @ Cardinal Spellman
• Week 8: St. Dominic’s
• Week 9: Nazareth

The tough portion of this schedule starts early with visitors from the city, and a road trip to the city. They ease up later in the schedule, staying in Somers for the last two weeks of the year. The Gaels, should they improve, could be a threat.

#18 Mount St. Michael

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: @ Kennedy Catholic
• Week 4: Cardinal Spellman
• Week 5: Nazareth
• Week 6: Christ the King
• Week 7: @ Holy Cross
• Week 8: @ Holy Trinity
• Week 9: @ St. Dominic’s

Opening their league slate in Somers vs Kennedy Catholic, the Mountaineers look to get off to a fast start. With a three game home stand early, the Mount will look to start off hot, as they will need to before going on the road for three weeks in a row. Mount St. Michael plays only ‘AA-2’ teams this season, so they will have an opportunity to see every team before the playoffs.

#17 Christ the King

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: @ Cardinal Spellman
• Week 4: St. Dominic’s
• Week 5: @ Kennedy Catholic
• Week 6: @ Mount St. Michael
• Week 7: @ Nazareth
• Week 8: Holy Cross
• Week 9: Holy Trinity

The 3rd team in the ‘AA-2’ that plays the entire division, the Royals schedule is brutal. They are traveling all over the NYC area, going to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Northern Westchester. 4 of their first 5 games are on the road. Where Christ the King surprised everyone last year, they will no longer be able to sneak up on anyone this year.

#16 Holy Cross

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: @ Xavier
• Week 4: @ Nazareth
• Week 5: Cardinal Spellman
• Week 6: Kennedy Catholic
• Week 7: Mount St. Michael
• Week 8: @ Christ the King
• Week 9: St. John the Baptist

Holy Cross does not have to leave the city once until the last week. With two ‘AA-1’ opponents on the schedule, specifically on the bookends, the Knights will need to start fast. Now this should be another title contending year for Holy Cross, especially with Xaverian moving up, but we shall see how they reload.

#15 Holy Trinity

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: Xaverian
• Week 4: @ Kellenberg
• Week 5: @ St. Dominic’s
• Week 6: Nazareth
• Week 7: @ St. Francis Prep
• Week 8: Mount St. Michael
• Week 9: @ Christ the King

With three ‘AA-1’ opponents, the Titans, who were poised to make a case to move up this year, will have to prove themselves again. With no coach hired as of yet, even after, from what I hear, knowing they were moving on from previous year’s staff quite early, I question their Initiative and the desire to be competitive. I suppose they will be wishing upon a Morning Star for success due to the room they locked themselves in. Worry not, the league put them here for a reason, as they fully intend to field a varsity football team.

Here are my thoughts:

• Only 8 interdivision games (‘AA-2’ vs ‘AA-1’), I feel that the league may have heeded someone’s advice on scheduling, or, more likely, came to this conclusion on their own.
• Unless I am blindsided again like last year, the two big contenders for the crown this year appear to be Christ the King and Holy Cross.

What do you think? Any comments? Concerns? Complaints?