PSAL football rankings
The monkey is finally off Eric Barnett’s back. The fifth-year Campus Magnet coach won the big one Saturday for the first time when the Bulldogs beat defending champion Curtis in impressive fashion, in Staten Island no less.
Of course, there’s plenty of football still to play, but that game could go a long way into making No. 5 Campus Magnet a PSAL title contender. No. 4 Erasmus Hall has a chance to do the same Friday when it meets No. 3 Lincoln, which had the week off because of DeWitt Clinton’s forfeit, stemming from its brawl with Flushing.
No. 7 Jefferson and No. 8 Brooklyn Tech continued to establish themselves as nearly elite teams, No. 9 Beach Channel is decimating the Bowl division and Susan Wagner is back with us at No. 10 after thrashing FDR, 48-6.
Here are this week’s rankings:
1. Tottenville (6-0) (Last week: 1)
The Pirates were only up 14-7 in the second quarter against New Dorp on Saturday. Of course, the game ended up a 40-13 rout, but that was the only time Tottenville looked somewhat mortal this year. On Friday, it will welcome rival Port Richmond under the lights in Huguenot and the Red Raiders should be motivated coming off two straight losses. With the way the Pirates have creamed the competition, that probably won’t be enough.
Next: Port Richmond (Oct. 22, 7 p.m.)
2. Fort Hamilton (6-0) (2)
How good are the Tigers? When we were told they only beat Boys & Girls, a probable playoff team, by just eight points, we were shocked. Fort Hamilton had beaten its previous five opponents by a combined 186-33, so Danny Perez’s kids have built quite a reputation for themselves. We expect to see another blowout Saturday.
Next: @ New Utrecht (Oct. 23, 12 p.m.)
3. Lincoln (6-0) (3)
Dominant nots tackle Wayne Williams has championed the Railsplitters defense as the best in the city, calling himself and Ishaq Williams this year’s James Timmins and Dominique Easley, the dominant pass-rushing duo who led Curtis to the city title last year. Well, now is the first major test for Lincoln. Fourth-ranked Erasmus Hall is an offense unlike Lincoln has seen all year, better than Port Richmond, Campus Magnet and Boys & Girls, the best teams the Coney Island dynamo have seen.
Next: @ No. 4 Erasmus Hall (Oct. 22, 7 p.m.)
4. Erasmus Hall (5-1) (4)
Welcome back Shaquell Jackson. Out since Week 3 with a high ankle sprain, the star running back ran for 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns in front of coaches from Penn State on Saturday against Canarsie. The Dutchmen need him at full strength Friday night when they play Lincoln under the lights at Aviator. It should be a great atmosphere there watching two of the city’s best teams.
Next: No. 3 Lincoln (Oct. 22, 7 p.m. @ Aviator)
5. Campus Magnet (4-2) (6)
Saturday’s victory over defending city champion Curtis was so important to Campus Magnet not only because it finally beat an elite program, on the road no less, but also did it facing adversity. The Bulldogs trailed early, then after building a 28-6 lead, withstood the Warriors’ late rally. The victory built confidence for Eric Barnett’s program, but also instilled character that maybe was previously lacking.
Next: @ Sheepshead Bay (Oct. 23, 12 p.m.)
6. Curtis (4-2) (5)
We’ve spent quite a bit of time over the last two says extolling freshman quarterback Prince Dukes’ potential. But he isn’t the only underclassman in the Curtis backfield that has impressed us recently. Filling in for injured star Shaquan Coles, sophomore Josh Artis has run for 127 yards and a touchdown since being moved into the starting lineup. Obviously, the Warriors’ future is bright with these two.
Next: vs. Susan Wagner (Oct. 23, 12 p.m.)
7. Thomas Jefferson (5-1) (7)
Assistant coach Gus Cyrus is sick of hearing that Jefferson was in the Bowl division last year. We can’t blame him. All the Orange Wave have done through six weeks is prove they not only belong as a 5, but are one of the best teams in the PSAL. Jeff kept the ball on the ground in windy conditions Saturday and Mark Thomas and Rahim Salahuddin ran over Port Richmond. Cyrus’ team could win out if it beats Boys & Girls in Week 9.
Next: Grady (Oct. 23, 12 p.m.)
8. Brooklyn Tech (4-2) (8)
The Engineers defense held high-powered New Utrecht to just 14 points this week and it would have been less if not for Jordan Paul’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Chillious in the fourth quarter’s waning moments. Brooklyn Tech’s smash-mouth football – great line play, strong defense – remains underrated. If not for seven turnovers against Jefferson in Week 4, this team would be 5-1.
Next: @ James Madison (Oct. 23, 12 p.m.)
9. Beach Channel (6-0) (10)
Is it too late to petition the PSAL to get these guys in the City Championship division? Beach Channel is running roughshod over the Bowl – the Dolphins have yet to give up more than six points and have scored 20 or more every week. With Springfield Gardens and Jamaica upcoming, that doesn’t seem like it’ll change any time soon.
Next: @ Springfield Gardens (Oct. 23, 11 a.m.)
10. Susan Wagner (4-2) (NR)
The Falcons are 4-2, riding high with four wins in five games, closing in on the top five in the City Championship division. But is Susan Wagner for real? Its four wins have been over teams with a combined 10-14 record. We’ll start to find out this week, as Wagner visits Curtis, then we’ll really see what its made of, when the Falcons go to Huguenot to meet undefeated Tottenville.
Next: @ 6 Curtis (Oct. 23, 12 p.m.)
New: Susan Wagner (4-2)
Dropped out: Port Richmond (3-3)
On the bubble: Port Richmond (3-3), Flushing (3-3), Sheepshead Bay (3-3), John F. Kennedy (3-3), Lehman (3-3) and Truman (5-1)
