Consider this the calm before the storm. The Post’s NYC football rankings are identical, with just one week in the regular-season remaining. Of our top 10, only Holy Cross lost, and that was on a last-second field goal to Long Island powerhouse St. Anthony’s.
In the CHSFL, No. 1 St. Joseph by the Sea remained undefeated after a come-from-behind win against defending champion Iona Prep, No. 3 Holy Cross suffered a heartbreaking 30-28 loss to St. Anthony’s, while Fordham Prep beat Bronx rival Mount St. Michael in a wild shootout and Xaverian won for a second straight week.
Meanwhile, in PSAL action, No. 2 Fort Hamilton, No. 5 Erasmus Hall, No. 7 DeWitt Clinton and ninth-seeded Curtis breezed through easy matchups while No. 10 Tottenville rallied past Staten Island rival Susan Wagner, 28-22.
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (6-0) (Last week: 1)
The Vikings are now just one of three undefeated CHSFL teams after Cardinal Hayes fell to Archbishop Stepinac on Friday night. Lyle McCombs took over, rushing for 200 yards and three scores and the Sea defense made six fourth-down stops, while Nick Aimetti returned an interception for a touchdown. Their biggest test since a victory against St. Anthony’s, though, comes Saturday at home against Holy Cross.
Next: No. 3 Holy Cross (Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m.)
2. Fort Hamilton (8-0) (2)
There are plenty of dynamic juniors littered across the city, from Shaquan Coles of Curtis to Jordan Paul of New Utrecht to Wilbert Lee of Boys & Girls. The argument can be made, however, that none are quite as lethal as Brandon Reddish, the Tigers’ playmaking wide receiver/defensive back. He was selected to the all-city team as a sophomore, and has only developed even more this fall. He has helped Fort Hamilton to an undefeated record thus far while catching five touchdown passes, averaging 22 yards per reception, and picking off two passes, recovering two fumbles and making 29 tackles. No wonder LSU, among several other major Division I programs, have come calling.
Next: New Utrecht (Oct. 31, 12 p.m.)
3. Holy Cross (5-2) (3)
The Knights were agonizingly close to a spectacular win against the class of the CHSFL, but instead suffered a gut wrenching 30-28 defeat to St. Anthony’s on a last-second field goal. Instead of leaving Bayside Athletic Field with heads down, the Knights are optimistic that they hung with the Friars. Indeed, Holy Cross has a versatile offense, a hard-hitting, opportunistic defense and, perhaps most importantly, are healthy heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
Next: @ No. 1 St. Joseph by the Sea (Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m.)
4. Poly Prep (6-1) (4)
The Blue Devils ended a four-game road trip with an impressive 23-18 victory against Salisbury (Conn.) Saturday afternoon. Ashton Ghaffaar rushed for three touchdowns to lead Poly Prep, which returns to Bay Ridge for a season-finale against the Hun School (N.J.).
Next: Hun School (N.J.) (Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m.)
5. Erasmus Hall (8-0) (5)
The Dutchmen are one of only two undefeated teams in the PSAL, No. 2 Fort Hamilton being the other. They have enjoyed a magical season, full of comebacks and dramatic performances on both sides of the ball. Still, Erasmus has plenty left to prove, and the Brooklyn school can start Friday night, at No. 10 Tottenville under the lights in Huguenot. The Dutchmen could possibly gain the top seed with a win. More importantly, it would be a substantial boost of confidence entering the city playoffs.
Next: @ No. 10 Tottenville (Oct. 30, 7 p.m.)
6. Xaverian (4-3) (6)
Freshman sensation Zack Kearney said he loves to run in the rain, which is one of the reasons why he rushed for a 27-yard touchdown against Kellenberg in a 17-0 victory Saturday night at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Perhaps the porous Firebirds defense had a thing or two to do with that, too. The Clippers now have back-to-back wins after three straight losses, but Greg Rando and Co. meet mighty St. Anthony’s next.
Next: St. Anthony’s (Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.)
7. DeWitt Clinton (7-1) (7)
It’s been a month since the Governors were forced to sweat. After rallying for a hard-fought 36-27 victory over New Dorp on Staten Island, Clinton has enjoyed the Bronx part of its schedule in addition to a 37-0 whipping of Queens contender Flushing. Howard Langley’s club has scored 165 points in its last four victories, while allowing just 32. This weekend figures to be more of the same against winless Columbus.
Next: Columbus (Oct. 31, 12 p.m.)
8. Fordham Prep (4-3) (8)
They aren’t doing coach Pete Gorynski’s heart any favors, but Fordham Prep has back-to-back victories determined in the final moments. Two weeks ago it was the defense that came up big in an overtime win against Monsignor Farrell and Saturday Max Kinder and Michael Seminario paced the offense in a barnburner against Mount St. Michael. The Rams have now three consecutive wins heading into the regular-season finale against Holy Trinity.
Next: @ Holy Trinity (Oct. 31, 1:30 p.m.)
9. Curtis (6-2) (9)
If there is one certainty when it comes to these Warriors, it’s that they don’t take weaker opponents lightly. Curtis beat one-win Bayside, 48-6, last weekend; thrashed one-win James Madison, 54-0, and drilled three-win Canarsie, 28-0. Beating elite competition such as No. 2 Fort Hamilton and Susan Wagner, is another story. The Warriors will get that chance shortly.
Next: @ Port Richmond (Oct. 31, 12 p.m.)
10. Tottenville (6-2) (10)
Nobody has a more decided home field advantage than the Pirates. Consider this fact: in three games in Huguenot, all under the lights, Tottenville is 3-0, having outscored the opposition – all possible playoff teams in Sheepshead Bay, Lehman and New Dorp – by an aggregate 112-30.
Next: No. 5 Erasmus Hall (Oct. 30, 7 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Moore Catholic (7-0), Monsignor Farrell (3-4), Fieldston (5-1), Lincoln (5-3), Campus Magnet (6-2), Sheepshead Bay (5-3), New Utrecht (5-3) and Susan Wagner (4-4)
