Jon Derbyshire leads Tottenville into Curtis in battle for Staten Island. (Photo by Ted Levin)
IONA PREP at ST. ANTHONY'S, Friday 7 p.m.
Both CHFSL powers enter crucial clash with an eye cast toward St. Josephs. At 3-1, the host Friars trailthe unbeaten Vikings by a game, while Iona, winner of seven of the last conference titles, stands at 2-2.But host springs eternal for the defending champion Gaels, who seemingly have hit their stride over the last few weeks with the reemergence of all-state quarterback Tyrae Woodson-Samuels (580 yards passing, five touchdowns). Fellow returning all-stater Jeff Mack has also picked up his game, piling up the bulk of his team-leading 384-yards rushing over the last three games. Besides a crowd of more than 2,000 that will mostly be all on its side, Anthony's counters with the potent passing attack of QB Thomas Schreiber (425 yards passing, 4 TDs) and wideout Brendan Schroeder(11 catches, 180 yards 2 TDs).
TOTTENVILLE at CURTIS, Friday 2:30 p.m.
Pair of once-beaten Staten Island powers (4-1) collide in Championship Division tussle where a lot more than borough bragging rights will be on the line. Transfer Monsignor Farrell quarterback Jon Derbyshire (502 yards, 8 TDs) sets the pace for the Pirates, who also feature the ground attack of junior tailback Gil Mendoza (335 yards, 2 TDs). No doubt, the O will be put to the test against the Warriors, who, led by 6-3, 255 pound Penn State-bound star Dominique Easley, have shutout their last three opponents (110-0).
FLUSHING at DEWITT CLINTON, Sunday 2:30 p.m.I
n yet another pivotal Championship Division clash, both squads will be looking to keep pace with front-runners Fort Hamilton and Erasmus. Visiting Red Devils will place much of their hopes on the versatile shoulders of senior quarterback Jordan Beranger (641 all-purpose yards, 5 TDs), while the Govs will counter with the explosive, yet steady production of senior tailback Alonzo Mercahnt (412 yards, 3 TDs), who ranks near the top among all PSAL rushers. Surging Clinton has won its last three by an average margin of two touchdowns.
CANARSIE at BROOKLYN TECH, Sunday 11 a.m.
At 3-2 respectively, both team's realize all their conference-tittle contending dreams legitimately lie with this outcome. Add to that all the borough bragging-rights implications and, well, you get what's at stake. Canarsie ride in on an emotional high. With Syracuse-bound senior tailback Steven Rene back healthy and in the saddle, Chiefs have averaged 32-points a game over their last two victories. But it hasn't been just the Rene Show. Quarterback Jarrel Turner has threw for a PSAL-leading 942 yards and eight touchdowns. Wideout Sosha Callendar, his favorite target, has hauled in 19 passes, for 485 yards and four scores. Tech, meanwhile looks for its first win over a top-flight opponent, having already dropped hard-fought battles to conference co-leaders Fort Hamilton and Erasmus.
NEW DORP vs. MIDWOOD, Sunday 11 a.m.
Cougars hope to stop the bleeding--- not to mention keep their division playoff hopes alive--- in key PSAL battle. After quick 3-0 start where they averaged 31-points per, things have grounded to a halt for New Dorp, which was shutout by Curtis in its last outing. But things can turn quickly when you flaunt a tandem the likes of QB Mirjan Popovic (583 yards passing, 7 TDs) and flanker Elijah Bratcher (19 catches, 372 yards, 5 TDs). Things won't come easy, however, as Hornets have allowed just 23-points total over their last three games.
BAYSIDE at FORT HAMILTON, Sunday, noon
It's almost worth the price of admission just to see how long Tigers star quarterback Frank Laino can keep his unbeaten streak of starts against division opponents (currently 15) alive. And the Fort offense isn't such a bad thing to watch either. PSAL-leading rusher A.J. Richardson ( 668 yards, 8 TDs) paces the attack, while Laino (676 all-purpose yards, 12 TDs) and wideout Brandon Reddish (11 catches, 239 yards, 2 TDs) give it added flavor. In all, the Fort Hamilton O has scored an average of nearly 30-points per, not a good sign for Bayside, which has already allowed 49 and 47 to New Dorp and Erasmus respectively this season.
ST. JOSEPH BY THE SEA at CHAMINADE, Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
The senior backfield of Lyle McCombs (508 yards, 6 TDs) and Andrew Armato combined for over 900-yards and 10 touchdowns for unbeaten Vikes, anchoring Joseph's power-running game to an average margin of three touchdowns per game. That doesn't mean things will come easy against the host Flyers (1-2), who began the season as one of the area's most highly regarded teams. An upset win over the unbeaten Vikes (3-0), could set them back on course.
BAKER at CENTRAL SQUARE, Friday, 7 p.m.
The Malik Burks Show takes to the road again, as the unbeaten Bees (5-0) head upstate. No doubt, all eyes will be on the 5-9, 180-pound senior, who enters with a state-leading 1,256-yards rushing, and a streak of four 200-yards plus games over the team's first five. And as Burks goes, so go the Bees, who average an eye-popping 34-points per. Winless Red Hawks clearly will have their hands full.
ERASMUS at BOYS & GIRLS, Sunday, noonDutchmen square off against borough rival in hopes of keeping pace with Fort Hamilton atop the Championship Division log jam. Versatile Erasmus offense features a host of interchangeable weapons in quarterback Wayne Morgan (821 all purpose-yards, 12 TDs), tailback Shaquell Jackson (301 yards, 3 TDs) and wideouts Jauvan John (11 catches, 282 yards, 5 TDs) and Jonathon Yearwood (10 catches, 216 yards, 4 TDs). Kangaroos 1-4 start is a bit disappointing, but in a game what figures to feature a stadium full of emotion, anything can happen.
THE DEWITT CLINTON CROSS COUNTRY FESTIVAL, October 17, at VAN CORTLANDT PARKThe 13th Annual Neil Seiden Memorial EIL will feature boys and girls soph, junior and varsity level competition with team and individual awards in all races.
Want an upcoming game previewed? Want to report any recruiting news, score, stat or other preps related story ideas? Contact Glenn Minnis at glennminnis@coachesaid.com.
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