NYC football rankings
Holy Cross made the biggest splash this week, stunning highly touted Xaverian on Sunday. The victory moves the young Knights up to No. 3 in these rankings.
Tottenville and Fort Hamilton took care business against tough opponents and we welcome Lincoln and Canarsie after impressive wins. Campus Magnet, Boys & Girls and Poly Prep, which has now lost two straight, all dropped tough contests.
Here’s how the rankings look:
1. Tottenville (2-0) (Last week: 1)
Quarterback Brandon Barnes and Syracuse-bound receiver Alvin Cornelius hooked up for three touchdowns as Tottenville rolled past Clinton, 21-0. The Pirates have looked dominant against two of the PSAL’s better teams, including a win over Thomas Jefferson in Week 1.
Next: John Adams (Sept. 24, 7 p.m.)
2. Fort Hamilton (2-0) (3)
Travon Reid Segure had a huge blocked field goal and quarterback Marvin Centeno ran for 106 yards in the defending PSAL champ’s 30-21 win over Campus Magnet. Fort Hamilton has some holes it didn’t have last year, but there’s enough talent that the Tigers could end up repeating.
Next: @ Boys & Girls (Sept. 24, 12 p.m.)
3. Holy Cross (2-0) (7)
Lekeith Celestain’s end-zone interception led a stingy defense that gave up just seven points to Xaverian in a huge, 15-13 victory. The Knights were an unknown commodity coming into the season due to youth, but Sunday might have been the coming out party for a monster season.
Next: Holy Trinity (Sept. 25, 1:30 p.m.)
4. Campus Magnet (1-1) (4)
Khalik Greenwood was 18-of-30 for 218 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions in a 30-21 loss to Fort Hamilton. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the PSAL and with the good receivers he has there’s no reason why Campus Magnet cannot make a deep playoff run again.
Next: @ New Dorp (Sept. 24, 12 p.m.)
5. Xaverian (1-1) (2)
Penalties and mental errors did in Xaverian in a 15-13 loss to Holy Cross one week after beating upstate powerhouse Monroe-Woodbury. The Clippers’ high-powered offense could never get into a rhythm – and it was another loss against one of the CHSFL’s elite, a problem last year.
Next: @ St. Joseph by the Sea (Sept. 24, 1:30 p.m.)
6. Fordham Prep (2-0) (5)
Logan Williamson saved a touchdown with a forced fumble and scored three of his own to lead Fordham to a 27-6 win over Holy Trinity. James McHale had a strong second half and the Rams defense was excellent against highly recruited quarterback Chris Laviano.
Next: St. Anthony’s (Sept. 24, 7 p.m.)
7. Erasmus Hall (1-1) (10)
Wayne Morgan found Cyrus Greene on a critical fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter, allowing E-Hall to hold on for a 14-6 victory over Boys & Girls. After a discouraging, 24-20 loss in Week 1 to Campus Magnet, the Dutchmen have their swagger back with Clinton upcoming this Saturday.
Next: @ DeWitt Clinton (Sept. 24, 11 a.m.)
8. Lincoln (2-0) (NR)
Kareem Folkes had another big week with 158 yards rushing and two touchdowns as last year’s PSAL runner-up shutout Kennedy, 24-0. So much for rebuilding – Lincoln looks to be right back in the mix after two straight impressive victories, albeit against questionable competition.
Next: @ Midwood (Sept. 24, 12 p.m.)
9. Canarsie (2-0) (NR)
After an impressive, 26-6 win over Brooklyn Tech, Canarsie players believe their program is back among the PSAL’s elite. Donchervell Smith had a touchdown rushing and brought back an interception to the house – he’s become one of the PSAL’s premier players.
Next: @ Flushing (Sept. 24, 11 a.m.)
10. Poly Prep (0-2) (6)
Poly’s hopes for a perfect season were dashed last week by Iona Prep and the Blue Devils remain winless after a heartbreaking, 28-27 loss to Peddie School (N.J.). Peddie, which was led by Tottenville grad Gil Mendoza, had never beaten Poly and endured a winless 2010 season.
Next: @ Valley Forge Military Academy (Sept. 30, 3 p.m.)
New: Lincoln (2-0) and Canarsie (2-0)
Dropped out: Boys & Girls (1-1) and DeWitt Clinton (1-1)
On the bubble: Boys & Girls (1-1), DeWitt Clinton (1-1), Curtis (1-1), Port Richmond (2-0) and Mount St. Michael (1-0)
