NYCHSFL Power Rankings: Top 10

Week 9 Edition — The final regular-season rankings, the contenders, and the teams with something left to prove

We’ve reached the final week of the regular season, and the picture is becoming clearer. Some teams have established themselves as legitimate championship contenders, while others are heading into the postseason with questions that still need answering.

At this point, records alone don’t tell the whole story. Quality wins, consistency, performances against elite competition, and the ability to respond to adversity all matter. One dominant performance can change the conversation, but one difficult afternoon can expose weaknesses that become impossible to ignore in the playoffs.

This week, there is one change at the top of the rankings below the leading contenders: Cardinal Hayes moves ahead of St. Anthony’s at No. 4. The Friars have the offensive firepower to beat almost anyone, but their defensive struggles are becoming increasingly difficult to overlook.

Here is where I stand heading into the final week.

1. Iona Prep — Still the Standard

The Gaels remain No. 1, and at this point, there isn’t a compelling argument to move them. Iona continues to look like the most complete team in the league, combining an explosive offense with a defense capable of shutting down elite opponents.

The Gaels made another statement with their 42–7 win over Chaminade, following their earlier dominant performances against Monsignor Farrell, St. Anthony’s, and Cardinal Hayes. Those results are more than impressive scores on a schedule. They demonstrate Iona’s ability to impose its will against quality competition.

The challenge now is maintaining that standard when the postseason begins. Iona has earned the top spot, but the job isn’t finished. Farrell has the personnel to challenge the Gaels, and the playoffs will determine whether anyone can close the gap.

For now, the road to the championship still runs through New Rochelle.

2. Monsignor Farrell — The Biggest Threat to Iona

Farrell stays at No. 2, but the Lions continue to make a strong case that the gap between themselves and Iona isn’t insurmountable.

The Lions delivered one of the most impressive results of the week, dismantling St. Anthony’s 55–21. That performance reinforced what we’ve seen throughout the season: Farrell has a physical defense, playmakers who can change a game, and an offense capable of producing points in bunches.

The Moye twins remain central to the team’s success. Bryce has continued to develop at quarterback, while Braxton gives the Lions another dangerous weapon. Defensively, Charles Costanzo and the unit as a whole deserve plenty of credit for the way Farrell has performed against quality opponents.

The 28–0 shutout of Cardinal Hayes was another statement, and the win over St. Anthony’s only strengthened the argument.

Farrell has the identity, talent, and confidence to make another serious championship push. The Lions have earned the right to be considered Iona’s biggest challenger.

3. St. Joseph by the Sea — A Dangerous Team with Championship Ambitions

Sea remains at No. 3, and the Vikings continue to deserve respect as one of the league’s most dangerous teams.

The offense has the ability to score against anyone. Pete Tronolone has been outstanding at quarterback, while Joey Moran remains one of the most dynamic dual-threat players in the league. Arthur McCarthy, Nick Laona, Robert Attanasio, and Nico Vitagliano give Sea additional weapons capable of making an impact.

The recent matchup with St. Peter’s sounded like an instant classic based on the reports coming out of Staten Island. Unfortunately, without a stream, those of us who couldn’t attend were left following the drama through social media. That’s a missed opportunity to showcase a program that has built something special.

Sea has an opportunity to reach an unprecedented third consecutive championship game. That kind of consistency speaks volumes about the program, but the next challenge is proving the Vikings can finish the job against the league’s best.

They have the offensive firepower to make a run. Now they need to turn that potential into a championship appearance.

4. Cardinal Hayes — Moving Up, but Questions Remain

Hayes moves up to No. 4, jumping St. Anthony’s in these rankings.

The Cardinals have too much talent to dismiss, and their 28–6 win over Fordham Prep was an important response after consecutive shutout losses to Iona Prep and Monsignor Farrell. That victory doesn’t erase the concerns raised by those losses, but it does give Hayes an opportunity to regain some confidence heading into the postseason.

The challenge for Hayes is consistency. Kymonni Valentine and Kenzo Jackson give the Cardinals a dangerous ground attack, while Johnnye Bookers provides another dimension to the offense. The talent is there, but the Cardinals need to show they can execute when the opposition takes away their preferred options.

The losses to Iona and Farrell exposed how difficult it can be for Hayes to generate offense against elite defenses. That is a concern, especially if the Cardinals are going to make a deep playoff run.

Still, I’m keeping Hayes ahead of St. Anthony’s. The Cardinals have the potential to respond, and their recent win over Fordham Prep was a step in the right direction. Now they need to prove they can compete with the league’s top teams when the stakes are highest.

5. St. Anthony’s — Offensive Firepower, Defensive Concerns

The Friars drop to No. 5 after their 55–21 loss to Monsignor Farrell.

There is no question that St. Anthony’s has the offensive talent to compete with almost anyone. Xavier Bala has been a game-changing presence, and the Friars have enough weapons to put together explosive scoring performances.

The problem is on the other side of the ball.

The 49–48 comeback victory over Chaminade showed the Friars’ offensive potential, but giving up 48 points also raised serious questions about their ability to get stops when it matters. The loss to Farrell reinforced those concerns. When facing a team with championship aspirations, St. Anthony’s cannot afford to rely on winning a shootout every week.

That is particularly concerning with the playoffs approaching. An explosive offense can carry a team through the regular season, but championship football often comes down to a critical third-down stop, a red-zone stand, or one final defensive possession.

The Friars have the personnel to make noise in the postseason. But until the defense proves it can hold up against the league’s best, I have reservations about how far this team can go.

The ceiling is high. The questions are just as real.

6. Archbishop Stepinac — A Dangerous Matchup

Stepinac remains at No. 6, a team with enough offensive talent to give any opponent problems.

The Crusaders have shown they can score with elite competition, including in their 48–42 battle with St. Anthony’s. Their recent 41–17 victory over St. John the Baptist was another opportunity to build confidence heading into the postseason.

Nahum Pierre has been one of the most productive running backs in the league, and the Crusaders have the ability to make games difficult by establishing the ground attack and controlling possession.

The concern is whether Stepinac can put together a complete performance against the top teams. The Crusaders have shown flashes of championship-level football, but consistency has been an issue.

The upcoming matchup with Iona Prep will be an important measuring stick. Stepinac has an opportunity to make a statement, but it will need to execute in all three phases and avoid giving the Gaels easy opportunities.

At No. 6, the potential is there. Now it’s about proving it on the field.

7. Kellenberg — A Team That Deserves Attention

Kellenberg stays at No. 7, but the Firebirds are a team that shouldn’t be overlooked as the playoffs approach.

The Firebirds have built their success around an offense capable of controlling the game. Quinn Saccheri, Brendan Barkley, and Doug Cristales have combined to produce a productive rushing attack, while quarterback Brayden Farrelly gives the offense balance through the air.

That ability to run the football, control possession, and keep the opposing offense on the sideline can become especially valuable in the postseason.

Kellenberg has earned its place in the conversation, and its position as the top seed in AA-I reflects the work the program has done this season. The challenge is translating that success into a postseason run against teams that can match its physicality.

The Firebirds have the pieces to make noise. They just need to continue executing when the margin for error shrinks.

8. Xavier — The Talent Is There, but Results Matter

Xavier remains at No. 8, with the Knights still searching for the consistency needed to climb higher.

The program has a strong football tradition, but reputation only carries so much weight this late in the season. Losses against top competition have exposed some of the challenges Xavier must overcome, particularly when it comes to sustaining drives and limiting mistakes.

Anthony Pierro has been a productive presence in the running game, while Joseph Cooper, Cole Wallace, and Marcello and Sal Vitale provide additional options.

The Knights have the personnel to be competitive, but they need to turn that talent into more consistent results. Ball security, execution on early downs, and defensive discipline will be especially important once the postseason begins.

At No. 8, Xavier is still capable of making a run. But the Knights need to show they can finish games against quality opponents before moving any higher in these rankings.

9. Xaverian — An Opportunity to Change the Narrative

Xaverian stays at No. 9 as the Clippers look to build momentum heading into the postseason.

The Clippers have the talent and experience to be a difficult matchup, but they need to show greater consistency against quality opposition. Jake Price and Christian LaRocca remain important offensive pieces, while Richie Aiken gives the team a versatile playmaker who can make an impact in multiple phases.

The challenge for Xaverian is eliminating the mistakes that allow opponents to stay in games. Against playoff-caliber teams, missed opportunities and costly turnovers can quickly determine the outcome.

The Clippers have enough talent to make their opponents uncomfortable, but the postseason will demand a complete performance.

At this stage, the question isn’t whether Xaverian has the ability. It’s whether the team can put it all together when it matters most.

10. Fordham Prep — Holding the Final Spot

Fordham Prep rounds out the top 10, but the Rams have work to do if they want to enter the postseason with momentum.

The 28–6 loss to Cardinal Hayes was a difficult result, particularly with playoff positioning becoming increasingly important. Fordham needs to regroup, clean up the mistakes, and find a way to generate more consistent offense.

The Rams have shown they can compete, but the final stretch of the season is about more than potential. It’s about execution against teams that can expose weaknesses.

Fordham has an opportunity to respond, and the postseason gives every team a chance to reset. But if the Rams want to make a run, they’ll need to play cleaner football and take advantage of their scoring opportunities.

No. 10 is a reflection of the competition in this league, not a declaration that the Rams cannot surprise someone.

Final Take

Iona Prep remains the clear No. 1, with Monsignor Farrell firmly established as its biggest challenger. Sea sits in the next tier, with a dangerous offense and a program that continues to compete at a high level.

The biggest change in this edition is the move at Nos. 4 and 5. Cardinal Hayes moves ahead of St. Anthony’s, but neither team enters the postseason without questions. Hayes needs to prove it can score against elite defenses, while St. Anthony’s needs to demonstrate that its defense can get stops when the game is on the line.

Stepinac has the talent to make a run, Kellenberg has the balance to be a difficult matchup, and Xavier and Xaverian are looking to turn potential into results. Fordham Prep rounds out the list, with an opportunity to regroup before the postseason.

These rankings are my assessment of what we’ve seen so far, not a prediction of how every playoff game will unfold. The postseason is where reputations are tested, mistakes become more costly, and contenders have to prove they can win when it matters most.

The final question heading into the playoffs: Can anyone close the gap on Iona, and does Farrell have what it takes to knock off the team that has set the standard all season?

The regular season is almost over. Now the real work begins.

Coach X and O