Football: Mid-Season Awards

Burnt orange foliage swaying in chilly gusts is just one sign fall has gripped Long Island. Bare-chested teenagers yelping from rickety bleachers is another. High school football is a rite of passage, and seven games into the 2009 season the excitement is building in communities large and small, from Garden City to Riverhead. The road to the Long Island championships runs through these towns and teens, and will be decided by more than a few hard hits, electrifying touchdowns and gutsy play calls. With four great weeks of football still to play, it’s a good time to take stock of the season to date. Here are Long Island Pulse Magazine’s mid-season football awards:

Player of the Year: Holy Trinity senior running back Anthony Brunetti has been a force in the CHSFL for four years. That in itself is quite an accomplishment. But he put aside an injury-plagued 2008 as the Titans have surprised with a league-best 7-0 start. Brunetti, an equally accomplished baseball player, rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns and added six tackles and a sack at linebacker on Friday in a 40-6 win over Queens rival St. Francis Prep. Brunetti has 1,584 yards on 198 carries and 18 touchdowns. He is on pace to become just the 14th Long Islander to ever crack 2,000 yards in a season.

Coach of the Year: Seaford’s Rob Perpall has the Vikings poised for the program’s third straight perfect regular season in Nassau Conference IV. Seaford also boasts a 28-game conference win streak. The Vikings passed their biggest test of the season in Friday night’s 28-0 win over previously unbeaten Roosevelt. This bunch of Vikings has outscored foes 284-32 behind steely defense and the hard running of Justin Buckley. Perpall has always been known as an offensive guru, but he’s quietly developed one great defense after another at Seaford.

Biggest Surprise: Seeded seventh in Suffolk Division I, Sachem North opened the new year by handing Floyd its first regular season loss in eight years. The Flaming Arrows kept piling up impressive wins from there, rallying to beat Longwood while holding off tough Brentwood, 42-41. Sachem crushed defending Long Island champ Connetquot, 35-7, on Saturday. Veteran coach Dave Falco has a connection to Sachem’s championship past and a meticulous nature, two ingredients bound to serve him well. Another is home-run back Davon Lawrence. These Flaming Arrows will be a tough out come playoff time.

Most Impressive Streak: That Garden City is unbeaten is no surprise. The Trojans have been a powerhouse since Tom Flatley took over as coach in 1985. Yet this squad has started off uniquely great in Nassau Conference II. Seven games into the season and Garden City has yet to allow a touchdown. In fact, it’s allowed just one field goal—three points—in posting shutouts in six games, including Saturday against rival Carey, 28-0. Three times the Trojans haven’t allowed a first down in the first half of games. Amazing.

Unforgettable Finish: A rain-soaked opening day in Northport saw one of the great storylines of any season play out. Defending Long Island champ Connetquot led 28-21 into the fourth quarter. Northport senior Tom Delahunty left the game in the first quarter with what was thought to be a broken left arm. But a quick run to Huntington Hospital revealed no broken bones. Delahunty not only returned, he almost single-handedly won the game. He scored on a 12-yard touchdown run, returned a blocked field goal 41 yards and moments later put Northport ahead, 34-28, with a 16-yard score. Connetquot’s bid to win stalled at the Northport 5-yard line with five seconds left. Whew!

Blog originally posted at LI Pulse.com

Friars Football: CHSFL Players of the Year

Title: CHSFL Players of the Year
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 1-17-08
Word Count: 259

Nearly two months after Scott Vallone hoisted the CHSFL championship trophy high over his head to the cheers of fans at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium, the afterglow of that memorable football season is still shining bright. Vallone was one of three St. Anthony’s players named to the New York State Sports Writers Association All-State Class AA football team.

The NYSSWA All-State team, released this week, named Vallone, a senior defensive tackle, to the first-team defense. Vallone was one of just four Long Island standouts — and the lone representative of the CHSFL — selected to the 22-player first team. Senior center Austen Fletcher was named to the second team. Senior quarterback James Brady was placed on the fourth team.

It was just the latest honor for these decorated players.

The Rutgers-bound Vallone was named CHSFL Defensive Player of the Year and selected to Newsday’s All-Long Island football team after a season in which he registered 71 tackles (16 for a loss) in 10 games.

Brady, who recently committed to Georgetown, was tabbed CHSFL Offensive Player of the Year and named to Newsday’s All-Long Island team after completing 64 percent of his passes while throwing for nine touchdowns. He also rushed for eight scores in winning back-to-back titles.

Fletcher, who is still considering whether to play at Dartmouth or follow older brother Alex at Stanford, was a dominating force on the offensive line. He was also named to Newsday’s All-Long Island team.

A fourth player, senior safety and return man J.B. Andreassi, was selected Newsday second-team All-Long Island. He is headed to Dartmouth.

Friars Football: James Brady

Title: BRADY’S BUNCH: Senior quarterback is the cool leader of the Friars’ pack
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 11-14-07
Word Count: 780

James Brady clearly appreciates his place in the hierarchy of the high school food chain. The St. Anthony’s senior sports sunglasses in the school hallway as if trying to evade paparazzi. He donned a Superman sweatshirt on Halloween.

Swagger and cool simply radiate from the 6-1, 215-pound Brady. He’s nailed the quarterback persona. Think Joe Namath back in the day and you begin to understand how completely at home Brady is in his own skin.

That’s not easy when you play the most high-profile position for the state’s foremost football factory. Style points don’t win games.

Quick feet and even faster thinking are required to run the St. Anthony’s spread option attack. Brady also has a cannon arm. He throws a picture-perfect deep ball.

These are all tools that help Brady get the job done. But what ultimately defines him on the field is the fierce determination he brings. He attacks defenses with little regard for his own body.

“I want the ball when it comes down to it,” said Brady, who was a promising baseball player on the Deer Park junior varsity as an eighth grader.

Brady is all but impossible for any one defender to corral. The St. Anthony’s senior is elusive enough to shake a linebacker and strong enough to bulldoze an opposing tackle. Little wonder Brady has played through an assortment of injuries in his two seasons as a starter.

“He’s a strong kid and he’s a player,” St. Anthony’s offensive coordinator Fred Gallagher said. “He understands the game and is a great leader.”

Little wonder the Friars are 9-1 and playing in the CHSFL Class AAA title game once again. Brady wouldn’t have it any other way. On a team 87 members deep, featuring several playmakers and college-bound talents, there is one indispensable standout.

He is a leader and an inspiration. During a season defined by injuries and illness to several key offensive stars — the Friars are currently without their top running back, wide receiver and guard — Brady has held the unit together. In Brady we trust is all the currency the Friars need.

“Being able to lead the team — it’s not something everyone can do,” Brady said. “I’ve been a quarterback since I was 11. I love every part of it.”

And yet Brady’s career exists in a bubble.

He is the guy who took over for Chris Eanuzel, who became the first CHSFL player to win the Hansen Award as Suffolk’s best player since 1986 and is regarded as the best quarterback in St. Anthony’s history.

All Brady did as a junior was go 10-0, completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 500 yards and four more scores. He led the Friars to a 21-20 win over Mount St. Michael in the CHSFL title game, completing 14 of 21 passes for 276 yards and engineering a 99-yard scoring drive to seal the win.

He’s completed 56 percent of his passes for nearly 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns while rushing for 500 yards and six scores this season. Even if Brady brings home a second championship with a win over Mount St. Michael — finishing his career 20-1 — there’s nothing he can do to supplant Eanuzel in program lore. That’s OK because Eanuzel taught him so much about the position.

It’s not just his place in school history that remains open for debate. But in possibly the deepest class of signal callers Long Island has ever seen, Brady is just one in a group of talents that includes: Central Florida-bound Rob Calabrese (East Islip) and Hofstra commitments Joe Sidaras (Floyd) and Stephen Probst (Farmingdale).

Good thing Brady isn’t concerned about legacies. “There’s always someone better than you out there,” Brady admitted.

For all his celebrity, Brady has an entourage of one. Center Austen Fletcher is Brady’s bodyguard on the field and shadow off it. Senior safety J.B. Andreassi, as intense as Brady is cool, occasionally makes it a trio.

They are hardly the Rat Pack. Their idea of fun is ordering the never-ending pasta bowl at the Massapequa Olive Garden.

Brady has also put recruiting on hold until after the season. That’s not a decision many coveted players would make. Brady has received heavy interest from Army, Georgetown, Lafayette and Princeton, and Big-12 force Missouri has been in the mix.

“It’s a big decision,” Brady said, weighing the possibility of going to a Division I program versus the lure of the Ivy League. “I’ve spent my entire career striving to play at the highest level possible. But an Ivy League degree would set me up for life.”

Whatever his ultimate destination, Brady will make his presence felt.

Friars Football: Championship Preview

Title: Monday Morning Quarterback / Championship Preview
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 11-12-07
Word Count: 519

Rematches don’t get much more exciting. Throw out the records in this one. They certainly didn’t matter the last time St. Anthony’s and Mount St. Michael Academy football teams faced off Week 3.

Remember? The Friars took a national ranking and a 64-game CHSFL winning streak dating to 1998 into the Bronx. And Mount struck for three first-quarter touchdowns en route to a 22-12 win in the rain and mud.

Their respective seasons diverged from there. St. Anthony’s (9-1) rebounded while the Mountaineers (5-5) struggled. And yet, fittingly, here they are in the CHSFL Class AAA title game.

The playoff history between St. Anthony’s and Mount St. Michael runs deep. But you have to dig deep to find it.

Yes, the programs faced off in the title game a year ago, a 21-20 thriller won by the Friars. That marked the first playoff meeting between the rivals in seven seasons.

But these teams have a past. This will be the 10th playoff showdown between the programs — all since 1987. St. Anthony’s leads the series 6-3, with four of those games each decided by a single point.

The only history that matters to the kids on the field are the last two years. Just take the signal callers. The Friars rallied behind James Brady (check out the feature on Brady here) to win the title last November. Jayson Holt, the Mountaineers’ quarterback and kicker, had an extra point blocked in the waning moments of that game.

Don’t think it wasn’t on his mind when the teams met earlier this season. Holt did as much as anyone to sink the Friars that day.

Meanwhile, Brady saw his fumble scooped up and returned for the decisive touchdown in his only loss as a starter. Don’t think that won’t be on his mind Sunday at Hofstra.

Who will write the next chapter in this intense rivalry?

Mount St. Michael vs. St. Anthony’s

WHEN: Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium
RECORDS: Mount St. Michael (5-5); St. Anthony’s (9-1)
THE SCOOP: Top-seeded St. Anthony’s held off No. 5 Iona Prep, 23-20, while No. 7 Mount St. Michael upset No. 6 Chaminade, 16-8, in CHSFL Class AAA semifinal action. It sets up a rematch of last season’s title game won by St. Anthony’s. It also pairs the Friars with the lone league mate to have beaten them over the span of 64 games. Mount St, Michael handed St. Anthony’s a 22-12 loss in Week 3. Stopping Mount senior quarterback Jayson Holt, an elusive runner, is the key for the Friars.

THE SERIES

This marks the 10th playoff showdown between St. Anthony’s and Mount St. Michael Academy &mdash all since 1987. St. Anthony’s is 20-5 all-time against the Mountaineers. The Friars also hold a respectable 6-3 edge in the playoffs, with four of those games each decided by a single point. A look back:

•1987 quarterfinal: St. Anthony’s, 43-20

•1990 quarterfinal: St. Anthony’s, 21-20

•1992 quarterfinal: Mount St. Michael, 28-12

•1993 semifinal: St. Anthony’s, 21-20

•1995 semifinal: St. Anthony’s, 42-41

•1996 final: Mount St. Michael, 21-7

•1997 final: Mount St. Michael, 40-14

•1999 quarterfinal: St. Anthony’s, 28-11

•2006 final: St. Anthony’s, 21-20

Friars Football: Semifinial Preview

Title: Semifinial Preview
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 11-5-07
Word Count: 120

Iona Prep vs. St. Anthony’s

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: South Huntington
RECORDS: Iona Prep (5-4); St. Anthony’s (8-1)
THE SCOOP: St. Anthony’s shut out Xaverian 24-0 while Iona Prep downed Staten Island power Farrell, 38-8, to move on. These teams meet Week 2 with St. Anthony’s pulling away 31-21. Ryan O’Neil will attempt to air it out against a stingy Friars defense. St. Anthony’s has two great safeties and a string of three straight shutouts.

Mount St. Michael vs. Chaminade

WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Mineola
RECORDS: Mount St. Michael (4-5); Chaminade (5-4)
THE SCOOP: Chaminade advanced with a thrilling 19-14 win over Holy Trinity while Mount St. Michael upset Staten Island upstart St. Joseph by the Sea, 22-14. Chaminade pulled the upset of Week 7 with a last-second 15-14

Friars Football: Friars Pull Away From Xaverian

Title: Second Effort: Friars Pull Away From Xaverian With Strong second Half
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 11-3-07
Word Count: 232

It took every bit of 34 minutes, but top-seeded St. Anthony’s finally found the end zone Saturday night against No. 8 Brooklyn-Xaverian. The Clippers stopped St. Anthony’s at the goal line just before halftime, but the Friars erupted for three touchdowns on consecutive drives in the second half to pull away, 24-0, in a CHSFL Class AAA quarterfinal.

Atiq Lucas helped get the offense rolling in the third, converting a third-down pass for 16 yards and breaking a 12-yard run on the next play. He set up the first touchdown with an 11-yard counter to the Xaverian 1-yard line. William Ruggiero scored the first of three touchdowns on the next play to put the Friars up 10-0 with 2 minutes left in the third.

St. Anthony’s (8-1) amassed 348 yards of total offense, highlighted by 252 yards on the ground. Lucas accounted for 135 yards (87 rushing) while Ruggiero finished with 47 yards on 13 carries. Quarterback James Brady completed 7 of 16 passes for 85 yards and rushed for 55 yards on nine carries.

The game marked the fourth shutout of the year for the defense, which has not given up a point in 12 straight quarters. St. Anthony’s will host No. 5 Iona Prep in a semifinal on Friday. Iona Prep advanced with a resounding 38-8 road win over Staten Island power and No. 4 seeded Farrell. Xaverian finishes 0-9.

MVP

The maturation of Atiq Lucas took a quantum leap forward against Xaverian. Coach Rich Reichert promised to use the fleet junior back more come playoff time and 5-11, 175-pound Lucas responded with a stirring performance. He fumbled away his first carry and dropped a sure touchdown pass in a first half that mirrored the Friars’ sluggish offense. But Lucas proved to be a game-breaker in the second half. He finished with 135 yards of offense, including 87 rushing yards on five carries and three catches for 48 more.

KEY PLAY

James Brady was sandwiched by Xaverian’s Davon Robinson and Oday Aboushi for a 4-yard sack, setting up third-and-10 from the St. Anthony’s 27-yard line early in the third quarter. The senior quarterback responded on the next play, firing a dart to Atiq Lucas for a 16-yard gain to keep the drive alive. The Friars drove 73 yards on 11 plays, scoring on a 1-yard burst by William Ruggiero with 2 minutes left in the quarter. Nicholas Ferrara’s point after kick put St. Anthony’s up 10-0.

SCORING

TEAM………………………1…..2…..3…..4 — FINAL
Xaverian…………………..0…..0…..0…..0 — 0
St. Anthony’s…………….3…..0…..7…14 — 24
SA — FG 33 Grennen
SA — Ruggiero 1 run (Ferrara kick)
SA — Ruggiero 19 run (Grennen kick)
SA — Ruggiero 1 run (Ferrara kick)

Friars Football: CHSFL AAA Playoff Preview

Title: CHSFL AAA Playoff Preview
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 10-29-07
Word Count: 745

The end of another regular season gives us pause and brings two undeniable facts into focus. The first: parity has washed over the CHSFL Class AAA division. When 3-5 Mount St. Michael can count a win against 7-1 St. Anthony’s as part of its resume and No. 6 Chaminade can break out game film of its 7-6 win over No. 3 Holy Trinity, then the rule of the day says anything is possible.

The second observation is this: a hiccup against the Mountaineers aside, St. Anthony’s is still the top seed and favorite to win the program’s seventh straight league championship. The Friars are 79-6 since the start of the 2000 season and Mount is one of two CHSFL teams to beat them over that span. (Farrell edged St. Anthony’s in the 2000 title game.)

What does it all mean? Get ready for a bumpy ride because in the November cold, anything is possible. The playoffs begin now. Here’s a breakdown of each CHSFL Class AAA quarterfinal:

Xaverian vs. St. Anthony’s

WHEN: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: South Huntington
RECORDS: Xaverian (0-8); St. Anthony’s (7-1)
THE SCOOP: St. Anthony’s beat Brooklyn-Xaverian, 27-6, on the road Week 5. The Friars had their way with Xaverian, especially James Brady. The quarterback had running lanes open up again and again and used them to lethal effect. The score did not reflect just how dominating St. Anthony’s played. The Friars have only gotten better in the month since. Take the defense. Ever since giving up 30 points in a 42-30 win over Farrell, the defense surrendered a combined 20 points over the next four games. Now the defense must prepare for two quarterbacks with much different styles. Xaverian will likely play both strong-armed Najee Tyler and run-oriented Ethan Ostermayer. It just might be enough to cause confusion. But will it be enough to keep the teams close on the scoreboard?

Iona Prep vs. Farrell

WHEN: Saturday, 6 p.m.
WHERE: Staten Island
RECORDS: Iona Prep (4-4); Farrell (5-3)
THE SCOOP: This is a rematch from Saturday, a 30-28 Staten Island-Farrell win. Farrell rallied for 14 fourth quarter points and then won it in overtime. The New Rochelle-Iona Prep defense has given up 92 points over the last three weeks and is winless over that span. That’s a tall order for the league’s top passer, Ryan O’Neil (1,732 yards, 17 TDs). If the Gaels win, it will be on his arm and with the help of some big plays on defense. Recent history is on their side. Iona Prep is playoff tough. It played for the title in 2005 and fell to St. Anthony’s in the semis a year ago. Farrell has won three in a row, and also boasts a dynamic quarterback in Michael Gentile. His top target is sure-handed receiver Anthony Evanelista. Farrell has reached the title game five times since 1998, but not since 2004. Anything is possible in this one.

Chaminade vs. Holy Trinity

WHEN: Sunday, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Hicksville
RECORDS: Chaminade (4-4); Holy Trinity (4-4)
THE SCOOP: Chaminade held off Holy Trinity, 7-6, in Week 4 action. But Holy Trinity rebounded to win three of its last four games. Sophomore Anthony Brunetti has been the workhorse, although it was another back, Aaron McRea that carried the offense in the regular season finale, a 22-16 road win over Mount St. Michael. Quarterback Michael Lagalante (9 TD passes) has been a playmaker. Chaminade is coming off a gritty 17-0 loss to St. Anthony’s, the culmination of an up and down season. The Flyers have the tools on offense: quarterback Doug Vella, tight end Luke Nawrocki, versatile back Alexander Fox and kicker Gerald Levano. Chaminade has been victimized at times on defense, so that may hold the key.

Mount St. Michael vs. St. Joseph by the Sea

WHEN: Sunday, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Staten Island
RECORDS: Mount St. Michael (3-5); St. Joseph by the Sea (6-2)
THE SCOOP: Staten Island-St. Joseph by the Sea beat Bronx-Mount St. Michael, 15-12, in Week 4. More importantly for the Vikings, they were able to put behind a humbling Week 7 loss to St. Anthony’s and rebound with a 28-7 win over Xaverian to close out the regular season. Sea’s double-wing offense is tough to stop. It takes a disciplined, physical defense to slow bruising back Patrick Brennan. Mount St. Michael quarterback Jayson Holt is at the heart of what Mount does. He’s lightning fast and can throw the bomb too. Mount played in the title game a year ago. Despite an inconsistent season, overall team speed and playoff experience give the Mountaineers a slight edge.

Friars Football: Defense Wraps Up Rival Chaminade

Title: Sack Attack: Friars Defense Wraps Up Rival Chaminade
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 10-26-07
Word Count: 87

On a rainy and windy night in South Huntington, St. Anthony’s wrapped up its regular season with a gritty 17-0 win over rival Chaminade. The defense registered eight sacks and held the Flyers to 79 rushing yards on 33 carries. James Brady ran for a 19-yard touchdown and junior Atiq Lucas led the way with 54 yards on eight carries and two catches for 33 yards. The top-seeded Friars (7-1) will host No. 8 Xaverian (0-7) in a CHSFL Class AAA quarterfinal next Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

MVP

Defensive tackle Scott Vallone fought through double teams to wreck Chaminade drives. The 6-3, 265-pound senior put together his most complete performance this season, getting in on four sacks. He led a defense that brought down Flyers quarterback Doug Vella eight times and limited the Chaminade rushing attack to 79 yards.

KEY PLAY

One play after James Brady threw into the end zone and was nearly intercepted by Chaminade’s Michael Riley, the Friars converted on third-and-7 from the Chaminade 15. Brady waited until the last second — drawing in Chaminade defenders — to pitch to Nicholas Mercurio. The fast back raced free down the right sideline for 13 yards. First down. William Ruggiero scored on a 2-yard bull run on the next play to put St. Anthony’s in front 9-0 with 1:49 left in the second quarter.

SCORING

TEAM………………………1…..2…..3…..4 — FINAL
Chaminade………………..0…..0…..0…..0 — 0
St. Anthony’s…………….0…..9…..0…..8 — 17
SA — Safety (ball kicked through end zone)
SA — Ruggiero 2 run (Grennen kick)
SA — Brady 19 run (Lucas run)

Friars Football: Week 8 Preview

Title: Monday Morning Quarterback / Week 8 Preview
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 10-22-07
Word Count: 529

With ESPN Radio (1050 AM) committed to covering Friday night’s regular season finale between two real rivals, you could excuse people for getting cranked up about the game.

But the thinking behind the scenes hasn’t been about the game so much as getting the word out to some special alums. Both St. Anthony’s and Chaminade have sent more than their share of former football players to the military.

The war on terror has scattered those veterans around the globe, from Baghdad to Kabul. And in those war-torn envirnments, nothing offers a reprieve more than some American-style football.

Well, if those soldiers can get to an Internet connection, they’ll be able to tune in. The game will be simulcast on the radio station’s Internet site.

It may not be Army-Navy, but for graduates of St. Anthony’s and Chaminade, no rivalry means more. Here are some graduates currently serving in the military:

CHAMINADE

•Capt. Kenneth Gein, Iraq

•Capt. John Zoll, Iraq

•Kevin Lynch, Middle East

•Michael Keilty, Middle East

•Michael Feriazzo, Iraq

•Lt. Benjamin Klimkowski, Afghanistan

•Capt. Patrick Crowley, Iraq

•Lt. Col. Edward Swanton, MD, Iraq

•Capt. Brendan McEvoy, Iraq

ST. ANTHONY’S

•Lt. Kevin Hughey, Iraq

•Lt. Eric Mineo, Afghanistan

•Lt. Nathanal Faust, Iraq

•Lt. Jason Mulligan, Iraq

•Capt. Andrew Mounce, Afghanistan

•Lt. Thomas Frey, Iraq

•PFC John Dayton, Iraq

•Capt. Jonas Anazagasty, Iraq

THE LOST

•James Regan, Chaminade Class of ’98 killed in Iraq on February 9, 2007

•Michael LiCalzi, Chaminade Class of ’00 killed in Iraq on May 11, 2006

•Ronald Winchester, Chaminade Class of ’98 killed in Iraq on September 3, 2005

Chaminade at St. Anthony’s

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: South Huntington
RADIO: ESPN 1050 AM
RECORDS: St. Anthony’s (6-1); Chaminade (4-3)
THE SCOOP: Chaminade beat Mount St. Michael, 15-14, thanks to a 34-yard field goal from Gerald Levano as time expired on Saturday. It was typical Chaminade, at least this season. The Flyers also won a heart-throbbing 7-6 decision against Holy Trinity. Stopping the run has been the main problem in losses to Farrell, Iona Prep and St. Joseph by the Sea. Alex Fox is a dual threat out of the backfield and Doug Vella, who completed 18 of 35 passes for 294 yards a week ago, can air it out. The Friars have been outstanding on defense and nearly impossible to beat deep. How well the Flyers bottle up James Brady will determine whether this one remains close.

2006 REWIND

ST. ANTHONY’S 28, CHAMINADE 7
It was 7-0 St. Anthony’s versus 6-1 Chaminade under the lights at Hofstra. Keith Shannon made it a one-sided affair. The Friars senior rushed for 97 yards on 19 carries and scored four touchdowns while the defense held Chaminade to minus 2-yards of offense in the first half. James Brady completed 6 of 9 passes for 109 yards and John Gagliano added 51 yards on 11 carries.

THE SERIES

St. Anthony’s leads the all-time series with the Flyers 29-11 dating to 1974 and has won the last 13 meetings. Chaminade last beat the Friars, 31-19, in 1998. Here’s the last five meetings:

•2004: St. Anthony’s, 23-13

•2004 CHSFL semis: St. Anthony’s, 30-3

•2005: St. Anthony’s, 44-30

•2005 CHSFL semis: St. Anthony’s, 27-20

•2006: St. Anthony’s, 28-7

Friars Football: Team Effort Stops St. Joe Sea

Title: Relentless: Total Team Effort Helps Stop St. Joe Sea
Publication: Frairs Football.com
Author: Jason Molinet
Date: 10-20-07
Word Count: 1054

As if the anticipation couldn’t get any more intense. Homecoming. A battle for first place. An offense that’s nearly impossible to wrap your brain around. That’s just some of what St. Anthony’s football players were wrestling with in the days leading up to the biggest game of the season.

The Friars remember Staten Island upstart St. Joseph by the Sea very well. They needed a late comeback to edge the Vikings 36-35 a year ago. Their double wing running game resembles a Russian nesting doll, one layer revealing another until the back with the ball pops free.

But with severe weather expected to move across Long Island Friday evening, the principals of both schools decided to postpone the CHSFL showdown for 24 hours.

It was a prudent move, either way. St. Joe Sea had just four days to prepare after pulling off a comeback win over Iona Prep on Sunday. The last thing the Friars wanted was to try and stop the Vikings’ shifty attack in a downpour. And then there was homecoming to think about.

The decision proved right for another reason. Lightning struck in the South Huntington neighborhood Friday night, knocking out power to the surrounding area, according to athletic director Don Buckley.

In the end, Saturday night offered up the perfect atmosphere. From the early-arriving Staten Island fans tailgating in the parking lot to the capacity crowd of 2,500 on hand to cheer the homecoming court as it lapped Cy Donnelly Field in balloon-festooned golf carts.

High school events don’t get much better. Especially if you are a Friars fan. St. Anthony’s delivered on the football field too. The Friars put together their finest defensive effort and senior quarterback James Brady put points on the board. The result was a decisive 17-0 Friars win.

BRADY SHINES

After the defense forced St. Joe Sea (5-2 overall, 4-2 CHSFL) into a three-and-out on the game’s opening possession, the Friars took over at midfield. Brady completed two passes for 17 yards on the drive. But the Friars stalled at the Vikings’ 18-yard line when junior Nicholas Mercurio was dumped for a 1-yard loss on third down.

In trotted senior kicker Rich Grennen. Just minutes after presenting his mom with a bouquet — all seniors got a chance to greet their parents on the field before the game — Grennen booted a 35-yard field goal. St. Anthony’s led 3-0 with 4:44 left in the opening quarter.

The Friars moved the ball again two possessions later. This one was all Brady. He marched the offense 62 yards — much further if you count a pair of holding penalties — capped by a William Ruggiero 5-yard scoring run off the right side. Nicholas Ferrara added the point after to make it 10-0 with 7:30 left in the half.

Brady completed two passes for 65 yards on the drive, the latter a 33-yard strike to senior wideout Jack Kensil down to the Vikings’ 7. Brady also had a 25-yard scramble wiped out by penalty.

Brady finished the night completing 7 of 12 passes for 131 yards and rushing for 44 more on 12 attempts. He put the game away with 1:53 left in the third, plowing into the end zone on a 1-yard keeper for the final margin.

DEFENSE DELIVERS

So much time, energy and anxiety went into planning to stop the St. Joe by the Sea offense. The concept is amazingly simple. Aside from the occasional deep pass meant to catch defenders off guard, the Vikings run the ball through a wedge up the middle.

Understanding how to halt the opposition is one thing. Actually stopping the Vikings’ double wing is another matter. The Vikings entered the showdown as the highest scoring team in the CHSFL AAA division, averaging 34.5 points a game.

The Friars’ beefy defensive front and active linebackers and safeties were seemingly tailor-made to stuff the run. St. Anthony’s (6-1, 5-1) flexed its collective muscle early, stopping hard-running Vikings senior Patrick Brennan for no gain on third-and-2 on the opening drive of the game.

One week after holding Holy Trinity’s Anthony Brunetti to under 100 yards for the first time, St. Anthony’s limited Brennan — the league’s second-leading rusher — to 94 yards on 23 carries.

St. Joseph by the Sea managed to rush for 199 yards, but couldn’t crack the end zone. Senior safety J.B. Andreassi recovered a fumble inside the Friars’ 10-yard line and the defense stopped another potential scoring threat on downs.

The Vikings fought another foe: The clock. Its run-based offense drained the clock. That’s just fine when you are nursing a lead. But not when you trail by multiple scores. St. Joe’s was able to score the final 20 points to beat Iona Prep in OT just six days earlier. But there was no rallying against the Friars.

CLICKING

It was a signature victory. And the players celebrated accordingly, drawing the ire of St. Anthony’s coach Rich Reichert after the postgame handshake. The Friars might have locked up the top seed in the CHSFL Class AAA playoffs with one week remaining in the regular season, but there is still too much football left to savor any sense of accomplishment.

But the Friars are clearly building toward another championship run. The offense has gotten more diverse by the week. Ruggiero (69 yards on 14 carries) has emerged as the main back. Yet the Friars don’t need to depend on him or Brady for big gainers. Mercurio and junior Atiq Lucas are home run threats running or catching the ball.

And the kicking game has been a real strength. Reichert can send out either Grennen or Ferrara to hit a field goals from virtually anywhere. Add to that Ferrara’s dual threat kicking off and at punter. He usually pins the opposition deep. There’s no doubt St. Anthony’s has consistently won the field position game this season.

Aside from a first quarter meltdown against Mount St. Michael, the defense has played superbly.

With one contest remaining until the playoffs, the Friars are playing their best football. Therein lies the danger. Rival Chaminade is next. The inconsistent Flyers have close wins over Holy Trinity and Mount St. Michael and blowout losses to St. Joe Sea and Farrell.

What Chaminade team shows up Friday at 7 p.m. in South Huntington is irrelevant. How St. Anthony’s responds is all that matters.

MVP

Give defensive coordinator George McLaren credit. The double wing offense St. Joesph by the Sea runs has given foes fits. The Friars have surrendered a combined 77 points in the last two showdowns with the Vikings. This one seemed destined to go to the team that scored last. But the Friars defense put together arguably its finest performance of the year. Yes, St. Joe’s did pile up 199 rushing yards. But the Vikings registered zero passing yards as the Friars recovered a fumble inside the 10-yard line and stopped another drive on downs.

KEY PLAY

James Brady shook off a holding penalty that pushed St. Anthony’s back to the St. Joe’s 40 and two plays later hit Jack Kensil between two defenders. The ball lodged in the wideout’s facemask until he tucked it away for a 33-yard gain down to the 7. William Ruggiero scored on a 5-yard run two plays later for a 10-0 lead with 7:30 left in the first half.

SCORING

TEAM………………………1…..2…..3…..4 — FINAL
St. Joseph by the Sea…0…..0…..0…..0 — 0
St. Anthony’s…………….3…..7…..7…..0 — 17
SA — FG 35 Grennen
SA — Ruggiero 5 run (Ferrara kick)
SA — Brady 1 run (Grennen kick)

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