Each week in the fall, New York Post beat writers Marc Raimondi and Joseph Staszewski will attempt to prognosticate the coming CHSFL weekend. This week, it’s turkey time.
RECORDS AFTER WEEK 11
Raimondi: 62-28 (Last week: 1-1)
Staszewski: 65-25 (Last week: 2-0)
Here’s Thanksgiving:
Xavier vs. Fordham Prep (Thursday, 10 a.m. @ Aviator)
Raimondi: It doesn’t get any better than this. There’s something special about historical rivalries and Xavier-Fordham isn’t just one of the best in the city – it’s one of the top ones in the country. You can throw out all past results when these two teams battle on Thanksgiving morning. Records don’t matter. Playoff results don’t matter. We could be in 1911 or 2011. Fordham Prep is riding high off its CHSFL Class AA title victory last week over Kellenberg, while Xavier fell to St. Joseph by the Sea in the ‘AA’ quarterfinals – a disappointing result given the Knights’ undefeated league record. Their fortunes will change Thursday and somewhat erase those bad memories. Brent Scardapane returned in that Sea game from injury and it wasn’t easy for coach Chris Stevens to mix the star back into the offense after the incredible year by Trey Solomon. Stevens has had a lot of time to work with both guys now. Fordham won’t be able to stop them in the single wing. Pick: Xavier
Staszewski: This game sees something it only seen once before in its rich history: One of the participants – Fordham Prep – enters as the CHSFL Class AA champions. It puts even more pressure on the favored Rams to beat their rivals, who were knocked out in the opening round. The Knights are rested, Fordham just played last weekend and that could certainly play a factor. The Rams running duo of James Drago and Logan Williamson will try to outduel Xavier’s Solomon and Scardapane. While the Knights would love to spoil Fordham’s storybook ending and avenge a 17-7 loss last season, I don’t see it happening. Fordham’s Prep’s size and running game will wear them down in the second half en route to a comfortable win. Pick: Fordham Prep
Cardinal Hayes @ Mount St. Michael (Thursday, 10:30 a.m.)
Staszewski: Both Cardinal Hayes and Mount St. Michael were debilitated by injuries in their opening-round playoff losses, but as Cardinals coach C. J. O’Neil stated, it’s “all aboard’ on both sides for their Thanksgiving Day clash. Mount has won the last two meetings after losing three years ago and are the favorite again with a dynamic defense and star quarterback Najae Brown. It’s hard to imagine Hayes being able to run consistently at the massive and athletic Mount line. That means a lot could rest on the play of quarterback James Richardson. Last year, Mount quarterback Jaylen Amaker had a huge game in a tight win. I expect the same from Brown and a late Hayes turnover that seals a victory. Pick: Mount St. Michael
Raimondi: Mount’s line might be big, strong and very effective. But I disagree with one of your points. DeQuan June can run on just about any team. If the Hayes coaching staff can get the jitterbug of a back into open space, it could be a long morning for the Mountaineers. Mount might have all its players in the lineup, but the team is still nicked up. Kenny Acquah has had a bad ankle all season. This isn’t the same team that smoked Holy Cross midseason. Hayes will take advantage and in beating Mount, “the rest won’t count,” as the saying goes. Pick: Cardinal Hayes
Archbishop Stepinac @ White Plains (Saturday, 10:30 a.m.)
Raimondi: I’ll be honest. I know very little about White Plains HS. But I do know two things: I’m down by three to Joe and the school’s football stadium is absolutely incredible – it has a freakin’ video board. I know Staszewski will pick Stepinac, because he’s terrified of the Crusaders parents. I need to be contrarian and hope my picks work out so I can, at the very least, force a tie in this right race. So, sorry Stepinac. I’m going with your public school rival. Keep the profanity in your e-mails to a minimum – it’s Thanksgiving after all. And don’t wish for me to choke on my turkey. Pick: White Plains
Staszewski: It was a historic season for Stepinac even if it ended a win short of a title. The Crusaders lost 14-0 to CHSFL power St. Anthony’s in their first ever Class AAA title game Friday night. This is a very proud group and a determined bunch of seniors that will not let this season and career capping win get away. Stepinac beat White Plains, which has three losses and played a bevy of close games, 42-14 last season. Vincent Narog, Austin Taps, Caleb Gilligan-Evans and Co. go out in style with a decisive victory. Pick: Archbishop Stepinac