The previous post went over the league schedule of the ‘AA-2’, which is the 3rd division, and one that has some of the most intrigue. Not to be out done, the ‘AA-1’ has as much, if not more intrigue. Because of the nature of the ‘AA-1’ and ‘AAA’, there are much more cross division games for the ‘AA-1’, especially playing against the ‘AAA’.

In my preseason rankings post, I expressed my surprise at the top 2, especially Fordham Prep being ranked #2. After the postseason, I heard from multiple sources that there was much unneeded drama from particularly prickly person in the league regarding Fordham Prep and Xavier. The two schools cannot play each other in football outside of Thanksgiving and the NYCHSFL honors this tradition. Being in the same division, this can complicate scheduling, and obviously can result in reseeding in the playoffs.

Anyways, here is the ‘AA-1’:

‘AA-1’ League Schedule

#14 Xaverian

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: @ Holy Trinity
• Week 4: Kennedy Catholic
• Week 5: @ St. Peter’s
• Week 6: St. Joseph by the Sea
• Week 7: Kellenberg Memorial
• Week 8: @ St. Francis Prep
• Week 9: Cardinal Spellman

The Clippers come into this season only knowing success for the last three years, going to three straight championship games and winning the last two. But now they are moving up. Their schedule is essentially the same as last season, where they played multiple ‘AA-1’ opponents. Xaverian is playing four ‘AA-1’ programs in a row from weeks 5-8. They were competitive in these games last year, so it will be interesting to see where the program is at.

#13 St. John the Baptist

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: St. Francis Prep
• Week 4: Fordham Prep
• Week 5: @ Xavier
• Week 6: Kellenberg Memorial
• Week 7: St. Dominic’s
• Week 8: @ Archbishop Stepinac
• Week 9: @ Holy Cross

The Cougars have a lot to prove after a 5-5 record last season, and an early exit from the playoffs. They were young and will need a lot of development. They go through a gauntlet early in the year, playing four ‘AA-1’ teams in a row, and even a ‘AAA’ team down the stretch. There are a bunch of opportunities for redemption from last year with a chance to play Kellenberg, Holy Cross, and SFP again.

#12 St. Francis Prep

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: @ St. John the Baptist
• Week 4: Chaminade
• Week 5: @ St. Joseph by the Sea
• Week 6: @ Fordham Prep
• Week 7: Holy Trinity
• Week 8: Xaverian
• Week 9: @ Kellenberg Memorial

Losing a lot of their strong players, the Terriers will need to replace the production of Sean Ibert, Rocco Petronella, and Jack Leary on offense. Their juniors are a strong group, but the team looked overwhelmed down the stretch. They now come in, and hopefully they are ready to take control. St. Francis Prep is a program that should be strong and dominant, especially at this level. They are given no favors, starting 3 of their first 4 league games on road, their only home game being against a ‘AAA’ foe.

#11 Kellenberg Memorial

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: Cardinal Hayes
• Week 4: Holy Trinity
• Week 5: @ Fordham Prep
• Week 6: @ St. John the Baptist
• Week 7: @ Xaverian
• Week 8: Xavier
• Week 9: St. Francis Prep

Considering where Kellenberg was last season, this is a very difficult schedule for them. A difficult start against a ‘AAA’ program with a brutal 3 game road trip before taking on the defending ‘AA-1’ champions is going to be a huge challenge for the Firebirds. A strong class, that won the ‘AA’ on the JV level is moving up. Offseason work will be critical for Kellenberg.

#10 Xavier

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: Holy Cross
• Week 4: @ St. Anthony’s
• Week 5: St. John the Baptist
• Week 6: @ Monsignor Farrell
• Week 7: St. Joseph by the Sea
• Week 8: @ Kellenberg Memorial
• Week 9: @ St. Peter’s

Xavier defends their title ranked #4 in the ‘AA-1’, which is pretty low. I get it, most of their major contributors graduated, but I still think they’re getting a break. Looking at their slate of games, they are traveling to the Lion’s Den, Huntington, and St. Peter’s. They also host St. Joseph by the Sea, who is ranked #1 in the ‘AA-1’. No breaks for the boys from 16th Street.

#9 St. Peter’s

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Hudson Catholic (NJ)
• Week 3: Fordham Prep
• Week 4: @ Cardinal Hayes
• Week 5: Xaverian
• Week 6: @ St. Anthony’s
• Week 7: @ Archbishop Stepinac
• Week 8: @ St. Joseph by the Sea
• Week 9: Xavier

Mark has built a strong program, going 25-10 over the last three seasons and have been in contention for a ‘AA-1’ crown each of those seasons. St. Peter’s bolstered by former Moore Catholic Head Coach Nick Giannatasio, look to continue their success. Last year, they were a young team, now they will look to win the ‘AA-1’ for the first time since 2001, and their first CHSFL title since 2009. They have another brutal schedule, playing the #8, #6, #3, #7, #5 team in the league. The Eagles are no strangers to playing ‘AAA’ teams, competing in the mid 2010s in the division, and beating two ‘AAA’ squads last season. I will be circling their rematch with Cardinal Hayes in Week 4 as a game to watch.

#8 Fordham Prep

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: Open
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: @ St. Peter’s
• Week 4: @ St. John the Baptist
• Week 5: Kellenberg Memorial
• Week 6: St. Francis Prep
• Week 7: @ Iona Prep
• Week 8: @ Cardinal Hayes
• Week 9: Chaminade

Though the Rams have had a stint in the ‘AAA’ before but this may be the highest ranking Fordham Prep has ever had at #8. I am unsure of how this will work out for the Jesuit school in the Bronx, but there must be a ton of confidence in the school and the new head coach, Seann Farrell. They play three ‘AAA’ teams at the end of the year, including their quasi rival, Iona Prep (the two schools have been competing over students in Westchester for years).

#7 St. Joseph by the Sea

• Week 0: Open
• Week 1: @ Immaculata (NJ)
• Week 2: Open
• Week 3: Iona Prep
• Week 4: @ Archbishop Stepinac
• Week 5: St. Francis Prep
• Week 6: @ Xaverian
• Week 7: @ Xavier
• Week 8: St. Peter’s
• Week 9: Monsignor Farrell

The past two seasons have been good for the Vikings, winning the ‘AA-1’ Championship in 2024, and going to the title game again in 2025. St. Joseph by the Sea is well positioned again to make a title run in the ‘AA-1’ playoffs, if they improve. They have a particularly difficult schedule again this year, but if they can grind out 3-4 wins again, they should be well positioned to make a title run. Interesting to note that Sea plays their Staten Island foes again this year, and this time, both count for league standings. The last two games between St. Peter’s and Sea were decided by 1 point, so that late season matchup is going to be key for playoff positioning.

Here are my thoughts:

• I feel this division is wide open again, a lot of teams had strong JV programs that are moving up, or were young last year and will be well poised to make a championship run.
  • St. Peter’s in particular had a lot of Sophomores and Juniors that got significant playing time last season.
• St. Joseph by the Sea is positioned again in a strong spot to compete for a ‘AA-1’ title. I look forward to see the makeup of this squad this season. With some shifts in their coaching staff, I wonder what the situation is there.
• New Coach Seann Farrell has Fordham Prep ranked #2 in the ‘AA-1’. I am not sure how they will do this season.
• Xavier being ranked 4th after a title win is a gift to that program in my opinion. Will Dom DeFalco continue his winning ways? Or will they fall victim to a title hangover?
• The rest of the division seems fine where they are, though I am particularly interested in how Xaverian will do now that they have moved up.
• Kellenberg should compete too, now toward the lower half, they will be playing a mix of levels of teams.
• SJB and SFP are the big unknowns of this group.

This should be an exciting year.

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