Beach Channel’s Adekoyejo Odedere is the power back to complement Diequan Underwood’s speed. (Brit Worgan)
NYPost.com’s PSAL football beat writer Marc Raimondi breaks down the Bowl division semifinals, scheduled for Sunday.
SCHEDULE (All games begin at 12 p.m.)
No. 4 South Bronx @ No. 1 Beach Channel
No. 3 August Martin vs. No. 3 Truman (Evander Childs)
No. 1 Beach Channel Dolphins
Head coach: Victor Nazario
Record: 9-1
Player to watch: RB Diequan Underwood
No. 4 South Bronx Phoenix
Head coach: Jose Cosme
Record: 7-3
Player to watch: QB Arbely Soto
Outlook: After seven weeks, Beach Channel was the overwhelming favorite to win the Bowl title and many thought coach Victor Nazario should have moved his Dolphins up to the City Championship division this year because of all their talent. But John Adams upended Channel, 28-12, in Week 8 and many were left wondering if Channel peaked early. That’s hard to believe, though, since the Dolphins won their last two games to end the regular season. They boast an impressive ground attack featuring Diequan Underwood, Mahamed Sidibe and Adekoyejo Odedere and have athletes like Demitrius Pelt and Jahvari Josiah for quarterback Patrick Burrello to throw to.
South Bronx went through something similar. The Phoenix were one of the hottest teams in the PSAL, winning five straight, before Truman beat them, 29-14, last week. South Bronx turned things around this season when coach Jose Cosme moved Arbely Soto from running back to quarterback. He has been an absolute revelation with his legs and his arm since midseason – and he’s an excellent defensive back, too. Demetrix Carraway is also a fine running back and the Phoenix, in general, are a strong defensive team.
No. 2 Truman Mustangs
Head coach: John Shepherd
Record: 8-2
Player to watch: QB Xavier Hamilton
No. 3 August Martin Falcons
Head coach: Marcus Louison
Record: 7-3
Player to watch: RB Anthony Duzant
Outlook: Truman is still smarting from last year’s semifinal loss to August Martin. The Mustangs were the top-seeded team in the Bowl and favorites to win it all when the Falcons shocked them. Truman got revenge by beating them in the regular season, but now there’s a chance to knock them out of the playoffs like Martin did to the Mustangs last year. Truman’s big three of quarterback Xavier Hamilton and running backs Isayah Muller and Andrew Reid, all of whom go both ways, is one of the toughest to defend in the Bowl. Coach John Shepherd wasn’t sure if his line could hold up this fallr, but it has come along nicely.
For August Martin to be successful it has to do what what’s worked all year – play as a team. The Falcons are not a one-man show, though Duzant has broken out, and that’s what makes them so dangerous this time of year. Coach Marcus Louison deserves a lot of credit for getting this group back to the playoffs in his first year as head coach. Defense has been a strength, led by Duzant and ballhawking defensive back Ricky Dunbar. Truman will be a tough challenge, but Martin has proven that it is up to such tests.
