Leading off today: Mike Libert tracks the New York City high school football scene for the New York State Sportswriters Association. Here's Mike's weekly rundown of where the top teams stand at the moment:
Class AA
1) Cardinal Hayes (7-4)
Last Week: #3
Recap: With Henry Belin having gone 12-17 for 207 yards and a TD in the air and RB Jalen Smith running for 117 yards and a score it was the Cardinals doing what many considered not possible at the start of the playoffs. They defeated Iona Prep on the road in the semifinals a week ago and then on Saturday knocked off Archbishop Stepinac 25-7 for the CHSFL AAA title in dominating fashion to ascend to #1.
Next: Saturday @ Canisius (CHSAA AAA State Championship)
2) Tottenville (10-1)
Last Week: #1
Recap: After the opening half of play on Saturday afternoon in the Pirates PSAL quarterfinal game against Susan Wagner it was clear that they were clicking on all cylinders. Anthony Calabrese had three first half interceptions, with RB Roland Dempster finding the end zone for three TD's as Tottenville took a 32-7 lead into the break and cruised home for the 46-21 victory over the Falcons.
Next: Saturday vs. #6 Abraham Lincoln (PSAL City Division Semifinals)
3) Erasmus Hall (9-2)
Last Week: #2
Recap: For the 7th time in 11 games this season the Dutchmen held their opponents scoreless as the defense led by William Mohan and Jahzion Harris were able to combine for 21 tackles and 4 sacks as Erasmus Hall defeated Lehman in the PSAL quarterfinals on Saturday 32-0. Yaseen Murden had a couple TD runs as well to pace the Dutchmen who now look forward to a home semifinal matchup on Saturday.
Next: Saturday vs. #5 Curtis (PSAL City Division Semifinals)
4) Christ the King (7-3)
Last Week: #4
Recap: The season came to an end for the Royals over a week ago now in a 43-6 CHSFL AAA semifinal defeat to Archbishop Stepinac but the talent is there for Christ the King to make a deep run a year from now as QB Noah Bodden will be back under center, while a good portion of the offensive and defensive lines return meaning a good core will return for a Royals team hungry for a deeper playoff run.
Next: Season Over
5) Curtis (9-2)
Last Week: #5
Recap: Maurice Hinton had a pair of TD runs for the Warriors while Sam Martin rushed for 101 yards and a score in just three quarters of play as Curtis was able to take control early in the third quarter en route to a 28-6 victory over JFK. Credit has to go to the Warriors defense as well as they limited the Knights potent rushing attack and were able to control the game on the ground themselves to advance to the semifinals.
Next: Saturday @ #3 Erasmus Hall (PSAL City Division Semifinals)
6) Abraham Lincoln (7-4)
Last Week: #6
Recap: Far from as easy as it looked it would be at the start, the Railsplitters rushed out to a 16-0 lead over Midwood on Saturday in the PSAL quarterfinals as Jahzair Hubbard had a TD run and pass in the opening half, but the Hornets stormed back to take a late lead. It wasn't until a TD run from Israel Abanikanda in the closing two minutes that Lincoln went back on top and took a 24-22 victory.
Next: Saturday @ #2 Tottenville (PSAL City Division Semifinals)
7) Midwood (6-5)
Last Week: #8
Recap: There was absolutely no quit in the Hornets as they would fall behind 16-0 early to Lincoln in the PSAL quarterfinals on Saturday, but a late TD to close the half from David Stephens got Midwood just a bit closer. Stephens would add two more scores as well to give the Hornets a fourth quarter lead, but a late TD from the Railsplitters ruined Midwood's upset chance with the Hornets season ending, 24-22.
Next: Season Over
8) JFK (8-3)
Last Week: #7
Recap: Coming into their PSAL quarterfinals matchup with Curtis on Saturday it seemed as if the JFK offense was really finding its groove as they were putting up big numbers and scoring in bunches. That ended on Saturday though as the Knights only score came on a fumble return for a TD early in the second quarter as JFK's year came to an end on the road 28-6.
Next: Season Over
9) Lehman (6-4)
Last Week: #9
Recap: The Lions won't want to see Erasmus Hall again for as long as possible as Lehman fell late in the regular season to the Dutchmen 35-0, and then in the PSAL quarterfinals on Saturday it was Erasmus doing them in again as Dante Nelson and the rest of the offense went cold and silent again as the Brooklyn power was able to muscle their way to a 32-0 victory in what was Lehman's end to the year.
Next: Season Over
10) Susan Wagner (5-5)
Last Week: #10
Recap: While it wasn't anywhere close to the opening half that Susan Wagner wanted in their PSAL quarterfinal game on Saturday against #1 Tottenville you have to give them credit for not quitting on the game. After trailing 32-7 at the half it was QB Joe Thorpe who threw for two second half TD's as the Falcons held their own in the second half before eventually falling 46-21 to finish out their season.
Next: Season Over
Class A
1) New Utrecht (10-0)
Last Week: #1
Recap: It's a 10 win season for the first time in Utes football history as they matched up with Thomas Jefferson on Saturday in the PSAL quarterfinals and were able to roll with ease as Christopher Molien had a couple of TD runs with Michael Alexis taking on another. The New Utrecht offense dominated from start to finish as they moved into the semifinals after a 38-0 thrashing of the Orange Wave.
Next: Saturday vs. #6 Port Richmond (PSAL Bowl Division Semifinals)
2) Moore Catholic (9-1)
Last Week: #2
Recap: Capping off one of the best high school careers in New York City high school football history saw Justin Lacks rush for 225 yards and two TD's, breaking the All-Time NYC career rushing mark with 5,629 yards in his illustrious four varsity years as the Mavericks were able to take control early in the third quarter and runs away with it down the stretch to win the CHSFL AA-2 title by downing St. Joseph by the Sea 28-6.
Next: Season Over
3) James Madison (9-1)
Last Week: #3
Recap: The ground attack thrived in a big way for the Golden Knights on Saturday as Alex McBurnie ran for 106 yards and a couple TD's while Mark Shepherd had a TD on
