Happy back to school Day! Week 1 is officially in the books, and after a crazy week of football, I finally had a chance to sit back and take a look at what we actually learned.

Between 19 games, changing schedules, school starting, and trying to keep up with everything else going on, I spent a lot of time watching games from the couch whenever I could. Unfortunately, there were also plenty of games with broken streams, no streams at all, or games I simply couldn’t get to.

Still, we got a pretty good look at a lot of these teams.

And for those keeping score at home, I went 13-6 with my Week 0 and  Week 1 picks.

Not terrible. Not perfect. Let’s get into it.

Week 1 Quick Review

Clarkstown South 50, Kennedy Catholic 0 — PICK: WRONG

This was one where the Gaels simply couldn’t get anything going. Clarkstown South controlled the game from the start and showed why Section 1 teams can’t be taken lightly. Kennedy has a lot to clean up, but fortunately they have time before their next game.

Iona Prep 38, CBA Syracuse 18 — PICK: CORRECT

Iona looked exactly like the team I expected them to be. Trey Newton was a major problem, Jaydin Jackson settled in, and the Gaels eventually pulled away from a quality CBA team. I still don’t see anyone in New York who has earned the right to knock Iona off the top spot.

St. John the Baptist 42, Eagle Academy III 14 — PICK: CORRECT

The Cougars answered a lot of the hype surrounding Eagle III. Devin Michaels looked comfortable at quarterback and Kalen Percer was a problem all afternoon. This is a team I will be watching closely moving forward.

Morristown-Beard 52, Christ the King 14 — PICK: CORRECT

The score was ugly, but I don’t think this was a talentless Christ the King team. They moved the ball at times, but the turnovers and penalties killed them. The Royals are young, and they have plenty of time to get better.

Yonkers 33, Mount St. Michael 13 — PICK: WRONG

I thought the Mount would bounce back. Instead, Yonkers came out and controlled the game. The Mount has plenty of football left, but this was not the start they wanted.

Monsignor Farrell 38, St. Peter’s 0 — PICK: CORRECT

Farrell did exactly what a championship contender is supposed to do. The Lions were bigger, faster and more physical, and they never allowed St. Peter’s to get comfortable. Farrell looks every bit as dangerous as they did a year ago.

New Rochelle 23, Kellenberg 21 — PICK: WRONG

This was the surprise of the week for me. New Rochelle deserves a ton of credit for knocking off a Kellenberg team that had just beaten Chaminade. The Firebirds moved the ball, but couldn’t finish enough drives. That’s a brutal way to lose a game.

Red Bank Catholic 62, St. Anthony’s 41 — PICK: WRONG

What a game. St. Anthony’s put up 41 points and still walked away with a loss. That tells you everything you need to know. The offense can clearly score, but the defense has to figure things out quickly.

Xaverian 33, Fort Hamilton 20 — PICK: CORRECT

Much closer than last year’s game, but the Clippers still came away with the win. Jake Price and Richie Aiken look like they can make this offense very difficult to defend. Xaverian is a problem.

Immaculata 50, St. Joseph by the Sea 28 — PICK: WRONG

I liked Sea coming into this one, but Immaculata was simply too much. Pete Tronolone and Joey Moran still gave the Vikings plenty of offensive production, but you can’t give up 50 points and expect to win.

CBA Albany 62, Stepinac 24 — PICK: CORRECT

I’ll admit it: I underestimated CBA Albany. They absolutely destroyed a very good Stepinac team, and Matt Kowalski had a monster game. This was probably the most eye-opening result of the weekend.

Pope John XXIII 21, Cardinal Hayes 15 — PICK: WRONG

Hayes looked good early and played a physical game, but couldn’t close it out. There were some positives, especially from Johnnye Booker and Erik Drobnak, but the Cardinals have some things to clean up.

Hackley 30, St. Dominic’s 6 — PICK: CORRECT

Hackley took advantage of mistakes and controlled the game. St. Dominic’s showed some flashes offensively, but the turnovers and botched exchanges made life too difficult. Those are the little things that have to be cleaned up before league play.

Belen Jesuit 33, Fordham Prep 28 — PICK: CORRECT

Fordham Prep probably feels like they let this one slip away. The Rams moved the ball well and played a very good first half, but penalties and explosive plays allowed on defense ultimately cost them. Still, there was plenty to like.

Cardinal Spellman 32, Frederick Douglass 0 — PICK: CORRECT

Spellman did exactly what they were supposed to do. They jumped on an inferior opponent and never let them into the game. Now comes a much better test.

Xavier 29, A. Philip Randolph 8 — PICK: CORRECT

Another Xavier game where they did what Xavier does. The defense was the story, especially Ace Jernstedt, who made plays all over the field. The Knights are going to get better as the season progresses.

Stow-Munroe Falls 35, St. Francis Prep 6 — PICK: CORRECT

St. Francis looked good for a half before Stow completely took over. The Terriers have to put this one behind them quickly because they don’t get an easy bounce-back game.

Bishop Hendricken 17, Chaminade 18 — PICK: CORRECT

And Chaminade does it again.

I don’t know how they keep finding ways to win these games, but the Flyers don’t seem to care. Down late, Sean Carnevale gave them one last chance and Michael Genovese finished it. That’s two weeks in a row where Chaminade has found a way to survive.

Holy Cross 46, St. Mary’s 38 — PICK: CORRECT

Even without Madden Martinez, Holy Cross showed they can win football games in multiple ways. The running game was dominant, the offensive line controlled the game, and the Knights put up 46 points. Now they get their rival.

Week 1 Takeaways

I think the biggest thing we learned is that the gap between the NYCHSFL and everyone else isn’t quite as simple as some people want to make it.

Section 1 showed that it can play. New Jersey showed that it can play. Out-of-state teams showed that they can play. And that’s a good thing.

Iona looks like the team to beat right now. Farrell looks extremely dangerous. CBA Albany opened some eyes. St. John the Baptist may be a team nobody wants to see later in the year. Xaverian looks balanced, and Holy Cross is putting together a pretty impressive offense.

We’re only one week into the season, though. Now things start getting serious.

Week 2 Picks

Poly Prep vs. Christ the King

Christ the King gets another tough non-league opponent after losing to Morristown-Beard. Poly Prep already has a win under its belt and comes into this one as the more established team. I expect the Blue Devils to control this one.

Pick: Poly Prep

Cardinal Hayes vs. Middletown (DE)

This is a sneaky interesting matchup. Middletown is coming off a 41-27 win over Tottenville and is currently ranked No. 1 in Delaware’s 3A. Hayes needs to clean things up after the Pope John loss, but I still like the Cardinals at home.

Pick: Cardinal Hayes

Kellenberg vs. South Shore

Kellenberg has already played two very good games and should be motivated after letting New Rochelle slip away. South Shore comes in after a 26-12 loss to Frank J. Macchiarola. I expect the Firebirds to control this one.

Pick: Kellenberg Memorial

St. Anthony’s vs. St. Peter’s Prep

This is a big one. St. Anthony’s can score with anybody, but St. Peter’s Prep comes in 2-0 after wins over Dillard and St. Thomas More. I think the Prep defense makes enough plays late.

Pick: St. Peter’s Prep

Archbishop Stepinac vs. Immaculata

Stepinac has to put the CBA Albany game behind them quickly. That’s easier said than done when Immaculata is coming off a 50-point performance against Sea. Until Stepinac proves it can stop the run, I’m taking Immaculata.

Pick: Immaculata

Mount St. Michael vs. Xaverian

The Mount needs to regroup after the loss to Yonkers. Unfortunately, Xaverian is probably the last team you want to see after a game like that. The Clippers are balanced and playing with confidence.

Pick: Xaverian

Iona Prep vs. Paramus Catholic

Iona looked outstanding against CBA Syracuse. Paramus Catholic is a quality New Jersey program, but I’m not overthinking this one. Iona has too much speed and too much depth.

Pick: Iona Prep

Chaminade vs. Seton Hall Prep

Chaminade has already survived two games against very good opponents. Seton Hall is another New Jersey test, but I think the Flyers’ experience in close games pays off again.

Pick: Chaminade

St. John the Baptist vs. St. Dominic’s

This one matters because it’s league play. St. John the Baptist just showed what it can do against Eagle Academy III, while St. Dominic’s struggled with turnovers against Hackley. I like the Cougars to come out aggressive.

Pick: St. John the Baptist

St. Peter’s vs. Hudson Catholic

St. Peter’s is looking for its first win after losses to Curtis and Farrell. Hudson Catholic is 1-1 and comes in with some confidence. I think the Eagles finally get one.

Pick: St. Peter’s

Monsignor Farrell vs. DePaul Catholic

This is one of the games I’m most interested in. Farrell has looked dominant through two games, but DePaul is a legitimate New Jersey power coming off an 8-4 season. Farrell gets them at home, and I think that matters.

Pick: Monsignor Farrell

St. Francis Prep vs. Holy Cross

The Battle of the Boulevard.

St. Francis needs to bounce back after the Stow loss, but Holy Cross just put up 46 points without Madden Martinez. The Knights’ rushing attack is going to be a major problem.

Pick: Holy Cross

Long Island Lutheran vs. St. Joseph by the Sea

Sea has plenty of offensive firepower, but after giving up 50 to Immaculata, the Vikings need to tighten things up defensively. I still think Sea has enough on offense to win this one.

Pick: St. Joseph by the Sea

Cardinal Spellman vs. Xavier

Spellman comes in after shutting out Frederick Douglass, but Xavier is a completely different animal. The Knights’ defense looked good in Week 1, and I expect them to control this game.

Pick: Xavier

GAME OF THE WEEK: Monsignor Farrell vs. DePaul Catholic

This is the game I’m most interested in watching this week. (All stats from Maxpreps.com) 

Farrell comes into this one 2-0, averaging 33 points per game, while DePaul is also 2-0 and averaging 31.5 points per game. On paper, though, DePaul has been the more explosive offense. The Spartans are averaging 417 total yards per game, including 281 through the air. Farrell is averaging 177 total yards per game, but that number doesn’t really tell the whole story considering how much the Lions have controlled their first two games.

And this is where the matchup gets interesting.

DePaul quarterback Frank Morano has been outstanding early, averaging 281 passing yards per game. In the opener against Red Bank Catholic, Morano threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Sean Neversrushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Gavin Sblendorio also gives them another weapon in the passing game.

Farrell will counter with Bryce Moye, who has been one of the Lions’ key offensive pieces, along with Jayden Burch and a defense that has been extremely difficult to move the ball against. MaxPreps currently has Farrell allowing just 89 yards per game through its first two games.

That, to me, is the biggest question in this game.

Can Farrell’s defense slow down a DePaul offense that can make you defend the entire field?

The other battle is going to be up front. Farrell’s official preview specifically points to winning the line of scrimmage and limiting explosive plays as two of the keys to this game. I completely agree. If Farrell can make DePaul drive the length of the field instead of giving up big plays, I think the Lions have a real shot to control this game.

And then there’s the home-field factor.

Farrell gets DePaul at home before heading into two enormous games against Chaminade and Iona Prep. This is exactly the type of game championship-caliber teams need to win. DePaul is coming off an 8-4 season and is one of New Jersey’s established powers, so there’s no shortage of motivation on either side.

Players I’m Watching

Farrell — Bryce Moye, QB:
He’s going to have to make enough plays to keep DePaul from loading up against the Lions. This could be one of his biggest tests of the young season.

Farrell — Jayden Burch, RB/FS:
A two-way player who could have a major impact, especially if Farrell needs to win the field-position battle and control the tempo.

Farrell — Mason Morales, WR/FS:
Another player who can impact the game on both sides of the ball. Against a DePaul offense averaging more than 400 yards per game, Farrell needs its defensive playmakers to show up.

DePaul — Frank Morano, QB:
The guy who makes this matchup scary. 281 passing yards per game so far, with the ability to stretch the field. Farrell has to make him uncomfortable.

DePaul — Sean Nevers, RB:
A physical runner who already has two touchdowns in the opening win over Red Bank Catholic. If DePaul establishes him early, this becomes a much tougher matchup for Farrell.

DePaul — Giancarlo Glass, S:
A leader on the defensive side who has already been making plays in the secondary. He’ll have to help keep Farrell from hitting explosive plays.

What I Expect

I don’t expect this to be another Farrell blowout.

DePaul is too talented, too experienced and too dangerous offensively for that. But I also don’t think Farrell is going to be intimidated by the name on the other sideline.

The Lions have looked extremely confident through two games, and this is their first real opportunity to prove that they’re not just a good CHSFL team — they’re capable of beating one of the better programs from New Jersey.

I think this comes down to the fourth quarter.

If Farrell can slow down Morano, win the line of scrimmage and avoid giving up the big play, I like their chances. Playing this one at home gives them another advantage.

My Pick: Monsignor Farrell

Prediction: Monsignor Farrell 28, DePaul Catholic 24

This is the kind of game that tells us a lot about both teams. Farrell has Chaminade and Iona waiting after this, so if the Lions can come out of this one 3-0, we’re going to have to start talking about them as one of the real teams to beat in the CHSFL.

Week 2 Final Picks

1. Poly Prep

2. Cardinal Hayes

3. Kellenberg Memorial

4. St. Peter’s Prep

5. Immaculata

6. Xaverian

7. Iona Prep

8. Chaminade

9. St. John the Baptist

10. St. Peter’s

11. Monsignor Farrell

12. Holy Cross

13. St. Joseph by the Sea

14. Xavier

Let’s see if I can improve on 13-6.