We were in the first season the last 10 weeks, but after this week, this season will have ended. The second season begins with the playoffs, and it is winner take all every week. We enter week 9, the last week of the regular season, on Halloween weekend. For most teams, they look to prepare for the playoffs, and secure their position. Other teams want to build momentum for the second season.

There are several high profile, and consequential games this weekend, as well as rematches, rivalries, and the stakes are real. Archbishop Stepinac and Iona Prep take the field again, bitter Westchester rivals, St. Peter’s looks for revenge after Xavier booted them from the playoffs last year, Fordham Prep has a must win on Friday night against Chaminade, and Holy Cross and St. John the Baptist meet again after a thriller last year.

We have 10 games this weekend. See below:

See my picks below:

• Fordham Prep vs Chaminade (Sports Engine Broadcast)
  • The Rams enter this game at 3-3 in league, holding on for dear life to a 3 seed in the ‘AA-I’ playoffs. Chaminade has had a difficult year. This game, for Fordham Prep, is key to them retaining a home playoff game for at least the first round of the playoffs, and they should be desperate to build momentum going into the playoffs. The Rams are looking for a signature win for the inaugural season of Coach Seann Farrell. Last week, the Rams defense played well for much of the game, but ultimately got worn down by the size and strength of the Cardinals. They are going to playing a similar team in style. Chaminade likes to run the football, and have been very successful with Anthony Trapani, who has 716 total yards from scrimmage this year and 9 touchdowns in 7 games. The other big weapon on offense for the Flyers is Michael Genovese, who has a staggering 53 receptions for 571 yards and 3 touchdowns. Stopping these two players will be the key to victory, and the defensive line will have to get Sean Carnevale off his game. On the Rams side, the run game is the strength. Luke McKay has led the Rams offense, accumulating 870 yards of offense and 8 offensive touchdowns. Whether it is George Jackson Jr. or Vincent DiPasquale in at quarterback, the offense will need to find a way to get the ball down the field in other ways other than feeding McKay. Lake Chiesi is their other go-to target, accumulating 585 yards and 5 touchdowns on the year. I think the Rams go into this game and take care of business and wrap up their regular season with a win over a ‘AAA’ team. I am picking Fordham Prep to win this one.
• Kennedy Catholic vs Nazareth Regional (Sports Engine Broadcast)
  • The Gaels, after a tough start to the season, have now won 3 times in their last 4 outings. They seem to be peaking at the right time as they now hold a commanding grip of the 3 seed in the ‘AA-II’ playoffs. Nazareth on the other hand, fell to Cardinal Spellman last week. On paper, this should be another game in which Kennedy should cruise, but it is important the Gaels do not overlook the Kingsmen who would be looking to spoil their Halloween Friday night game. Look for Joseph DeSocio, Dominick Tassone, and his receivers to try to get into a rhythm, put the game away early, and remain crisp as they prepare for the playoffs. I am taking Kennedy Catholic to win this game.
• St. Anthony’s vs Cardinal Hayes (Varsity Media Broadcast)
  • A big one. St. Anthony’s and Cardinal Hayes enter this game both at around 130 power points, both at 4-2 in league, and both fighting for the coveted 3 seed. The Friars are led by their dynamic running back Xavier Bala and an embarrassment of riches on the receiving side of the ball for Anthony Diieso to distribute the ball too. Diieso is also a dual threat, able to take off on designed or undesigned runs. On the other side of the ball, the defense has had their issues this year, but this could be the game that they put it together. They play a strong run game with the Cardinals, with Kymonni Valentine, and Kenzo Jackson leading the way on the ground, with Johnnye Bookers, the quarterback/wide receiver also providing a spark. The philosophy to use their ground game to pound the interior to open up big plays on the outside is as old as the forward pass, so we know what we should expect from the Cardinals. Expect them to test the fortitude of this defense up front, and work to keep the Friars offense off the field. But enough cliches, the stage is set, the stakes are high. I am picking Cardinal Hayes to win this game.
• St. Dominic’s vs Mount St. Michael (Sports Engine Broadcast)
  • The Bayhawks have a chance to bounce back off of a disappointing game against Kennedy Catholic last week as they play host to the overwhelming favorite at the 1 seed. This could be their first crack at the Mountaineers and with a win, the Bayhawks would certainly make a play to move to the 3 seed. Mount though, under Coach Holt, is rolling. They have won 5 in a row, and are undefeated in league play, featuring a balanced offense led by Jacob Jimenez and Victor Declet. Jimenez has 1,079 yards passing and 13 touchdowns on the year, while the duo of Declet and Dylan Turenne have compiled an impressive 969 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. While no stats are listed, the Bayhawks feature a young team led by Nick Land, Maurice Daniels, Darius Greene, Aaron Bengston, and Anthony Branscum. The Mount intend to keep the momentum going, while St. Dominic’s would really like to go into the playoffs off of a win. I am picking Mount St. Michael to win this game.
• Xaverian vs Cardinal Spellman (Hudl Broadcast)
  • The Clippers got back on track last weekend with a strong game against St. Francis Prep, and the Pilots are also coming off a win, a 31-8 drubbing of the Kingsmen. Xaverian is deadlocked with Fordham Prep at the 3 seed, and if they want a higher seed, they need to take care of business against the Pilots. The Pilots, on the other hand, have the daunting task of beating the 2 time ‘AA-II’ champions who are looking to prove themselves in the ‘AA-I’. I think the Clippers take care of business here with Jake Price, Christian LaRocca, and Richie Aiken, who has not been playing the last few weeks. The Pilots will look to get some things going as they prepare for the ‘AA-II’ playoffs as well. I am picking Xaverian to win this one.
• Holy Cross vs St. John the Baptist (No Broadcast)
  • While both teams seem locked into their playoff spot, there is some unfinished business here, at least on the side of the Cougars. This is a rematch of last season, where Madden Martinez shredded the Cougar defense to the tune of a 32-28 victory. This year, with the playoff seedings essentially set for both team, besides the rematch, this game is important for both teams as they enter the playoffs. Holy Cross would love to go into the post season on a 2 game win streak, while the Cougars would love to stop their 4 game skid and prepare to make a run in the ‘AA-I’. Devin Michaels has been the guy this year, throwing for 1,351 yards and 11 touchdowns with his top target being Nicolas Mastriano (39 catches 672 yards, 4 touchdowns). The big question will be how effective they will be on the ground. The Cougars have had a difficult year health wise, but this could be the game they get back on track. The Knights have health concerns and banged up players all year, but they finally seem to be healthy and will be looking to make a statement. Martinez is the obvious play maker on offense through the air, throwing to Caleb Rivera and Joseph Alestra, but I feel Holy Cross will need to get things moving on the ground with Brandon Glaudin, who has 801 yards rushing on the year. St. John the Baptist needs this win to build momentum, but Holy Cross also wants to go into the playoffs hot, so this could be another nailbiter. I am picking St. John the Baptist to win this one.
• Kellenberg Memorial vs St. Francis Prep (Hudl Broadcast)
  • The Terriers were on a roll last week. After going down early, St. Francis Prep dominated the rest of the game, outscoring Xaverian 21-8. It is with this momentum, off a game where they ran the ball 35 times for 227 yards and threw for 121 yards, that they go into the regular season finale against the current #1 seed in Kellenberg Memorial. The Firebirds need to win this game to secure the 1 seed, but they face a motivated Terrier team. The Firebirds are impressive on offense led by their running game, spearheaded by their 3 headed monster at running back. Quinn Saccheri, Brendan Barkley, and Doug Cristales lead the way for a running game that has compiled 1,534 yards and 21 touchdowns. Brayden Farrelly has been efficient, completing 73% of his passes for 1,414 yards and 9 touchdown passes as well. I think the Firebirds are too dynamic on offense, while also playing a grinding possession offense. The Terriers have struggled to finish drives this year. They have an impressive 1,354 yards on the ground, split mainly between Rafael Espinal and Roderick Fordham Jr. This wing T offense can be effective when executed properly, but they need to score touchdowns and keep the Firebirds offense off the field. I am picking Kellenberg Memorial to win this one.
• Archbishop Stepinac vs Iona Prep (Sports Engine Broadcast)
  • The matchup that Iona Prep now has a decided upper hand in over the past few seasons, THE Rivalry in Westchester, pits the potent Stepinac run offense against the stingiest defense in the league. Iona Prep’s offense is opportunistic and high powered as well, so the if the Crusaders want to win this game, they will have to keep that offense off the field. A tall task for the Crusaders. The Iona defensive front is led by Joshua Simmons, Sean Farrell, and Brady Morison, with linebackers Eric Camacho, Willie Reeves, and Mamadee Sangaray behind them. It is difficult for anyone to really run the ball on Iona, which will be necessary to keep Jaydin Jackson, Chase Reeves and company on the sideline. If anyone can do it, it is the league leader in rushing, Nahum Pierre, who has 1,538 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, paired along with Ronnell Chambers, who has 413 yards and 5 touchdowns. This impressive run game has compiled over 2,000 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns. Through the air, Dylan Wrona has had a good season, throwing for 1,119 yards and 8 touchdowns, mostly to Nicholas Harrison, who has hauled in an 29 passes, 483 yards and 8 touchdowns. I am going to go with Iona Prep to win this one and finish their undefeated regular season.
• St. Peter’s vs Xavier (Sports Engine Broadcast)
  • There was a collective gulp that likely went throughout the league when the Eagles brought their archrivals to the brink. St. Peter’s, while they have had a tough season, they have also played the very best teams in the NYCHSFL and have hung in tough. Undermanned and depleted, this is a team that has come out every week to compete. And now they face a slumping Xavier team that has dropped 3 games in a row and 4 of their previous 5 games. A rematch of the semifinal round of the ‘AA-I’ playoffs, this is going to be a big one for both team’s seasons. Xavier is going to come in motivated to get a win before the playoffs to try to get things going. Powered by their run game that has averaged 244 yards per game and has scored 20 touchdowns on the year, the Knights know what they do, and the Eagles know what to expect. It is going to be about execution for the Knights, and keeping them behind the chains for the Eagles. Anthony Pierro is the bell cow for this Xavier team, rushing for 736 yards and 8 touchdowns on the year, while Joseph Cooper, Cole Wallace, and Marcello and Sal Vitale provide support in the run game. For the Eagles, the key to victory is getting out in front and in the endzone early and often. Their explosive offense is capable from scoring from anywhere on the field. Anthony D’Acunto has been terrific this year, throwing for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns to just 1 interception, while also leading the team in rushing with 289 yards and a 3 touchdowns on the ground. Aaron Vazquez has had a terrific season catching the ball with 23 grabs 458 yards and 6 touchdowns. Other impact players are Xavier Boyd (17 catches 294 yards and 1 touchdown) and Chace Navarro (16 catches 255 yards 2 touchdowns) will be key for the Eagles to execute this. If they get up quickly, which they are capable of, as evidenced by this past week, and other games like against Xaverian, then I feel the Knights will have a tougher time to claw back into the game. On Halloween, in a game that is important for both teams, I am going to pick Xavier to win.
• St. Joseph by the Sea vs Monsignor Farrell (No Broadcast)
  • The Vikings won their game against their archrival St. Peter’s by the hair of their chinny chin chin last week, needed a stop on a 2 pt conversion to seal the victory. Monsignor Farrell has cruised through the latter half of their schedule. In a battle of Staten Island heavy weights and rivals, the two schools do battle on Halloween. With Sea in the ‘AA-I’, and Farrell in the ‘AAA’, this is a game that is mostly purely for bragging rights. The stakes are that if Sea wins, they 100% secure the #1 seed, while Farrell is locked into their #2 seed in the ‘AAA’. Still though, the game is intriguing, as the Vikings have a record setting offense. Pete Tronolone has shredded opposing defenses, throwing for 2,132 yards and 16 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions, shattering the St. Joseph by the Sea passing yards record. He has also been adept on the ground, rushing for 270 yards and 7 touchdowns. While he has shredded teams all year, the engine of the offense is clearly Joey Moran, who statistically is approaching the illustrious numbers of Lyle McCombs. Moran has been a dual threat this year, rushing for 1,024 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also hauling in 32 passes for 642 yards and 5 more touchdowns. But this Farrell defense will be as strong as any the Vikings has faced, and these teams know each other very well. The Lions will look to take away Moran as a running and receiving threat, leaving the offense to be in the hands of Tronolone throwing to Arthur McCarthy (38 catches 680 yards 5 touchdowns), Nick Laona (28 catches 281 yards 4 touchdowns), Robert Attanasio (17 catches 250 yards, 1 touchdowns, and Nico Vitagliano (10 catches 87 yards 1 touchdown). The Vikings defense, which has been stingy at times this year, will have to compete with a talented Lions offense that is centered around quarterback Bryce Moye and his ability to run this offense. Moye has 1,611 yards passing and 13 touchdowns, but also 272 yards on the ground and an impressive 8 rushing touchdowns. Braxton Moye, Byrce’s twin brother, has been the main target through the air, hauling in 35 passes for 601 yards and 6 touchdowns. On the ground, Jayden Burch has led the way with 899 yards and 7 touchdowns on the year, but he is often spelled by Luca Bruno and David Leverock who are impressive backs in their own right. Anything can happen on a rivalry game, but I really see the Lions winning this one. I am going with Monsignor Farrell.

Pete’s Game of the Week is St. Anthony’s vs Cardinal Hayes. The obvious choice here, as both teams are tied at 4-2, and are essentially tied in the power points, and fighting for the 3 seed. The game is Friday Night in South Huntington, and there is a lot of recent history when it comes to the Friars vs Cardinals.

Happy Halloween! Celebrate responsibly!

Pete’s Prognostication 2026: 82-16