The playoff picture, and where the teams stack up, is starting to get clearer with two weeks left in the regular season. The top two squads remain unchanged.
Xaverian and Fordham Prep each earned important wins last week to keep themselves in the final slots of the Class AAA playoffs. That’s why the Clippers jump up to the No. 3 slot and the Rams are now No. 4. Monsignor Farrell had worked its way up into the top three, but dropped down to fifth. The biggest movers in the rankings may yet be Cardinal Hayes, especially if they beat Stepinac Friday.
Here is how the rankings shape up this week.
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (5-0) (Last week: 1)
The Vikings have a pair of special running backs in Lyle McCombs and Andrew Armato, but the secret to their success, according to coach Greg Manos, is the offensive line. They’re not the biggest group, but they’re fast and physical and give the backs all the push they need. They’re a big reason why Sea rushed for 469 yards against the Terriers.
Next: Iona Prep (Oct. 24, 1:30 p.m.)
2. Holy Cross (5-1) (2)
The Knights have stayed on Sea’s heels all year and remain there following a convincing 37-8 win against Kellenberg Saturday. Yes, Dean Marlowe was dominant again, but Tom Pugh has to be encouraged by the performance of running backs Barrington Wallace and Kadar Hunter. If both can get going, the Knights might have the most versatile and dangerous attack in the league.
Next: St. Anthony’s (Oct. 25, 1:30 p.m.)
3. Xaverian (3-3) (4)
It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, especially on a soggy Kings Bay Field, but after three-straight losses, Xaverian will take it. Freshman running back Zack Kearney continues to sparkle, rushing for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Mount St. Michael. Coach Joe DeSiena says Kearney helps erase the team’s mistakes. The X-Men again should the ability to outmuscle people at the line of scrimmage on defense.
Next: @ Kellenberg (Oct. 24, 7 p.m.)
4 Fordham Prep (3-3) (5)
The Rams are beginning to play well, winning two of its last three games. It took a dramatic goal line stand, with Kyle McVicker and Chris Sullivan combining for the final tackle, to seal a 13-7 double overtime victory against Monsignor Farrell Saturday. Coach Peter Gorynski’s crew can pretty much wrap up a spot in the Class AAA playoffs with a win over Mount St. Michael Saturday.
Next: Mount St. Michael (Oct. 24, 1:30 p.m.)
5. Monsignor Farrell (3-3)
The Lions quietly marched off Coffey Field with stunned looks after being stopped on their 1-yard line twice in my Fordham Prep in double overtime. Farrell also missed a field goal that would have secured the win. The concern now is the health of star running back Michael Viegas, who left the game with a stained Achilles. Coach Ben Sarullo was cautiously hopefully about ithe sophomore’s return..
Next: @ Chaminade (Oct 24. 1:30 p.m.)
6. Cardinal Hayes (6-0) (7)
The Cardinal set up a matchup of undefeated teams, but it wasn’t easy. Coach C.J. O’Neil’s club needed to come back from a halftime deficit and they hold off a feisty Chris the King club, 35-28, last week behind running back Jeramiah Kobena. Next up is Archbishop Stepinac, which is yet to be challenged by a ‘AA-A’ team and knocked off Fordham Prep in its season opener.
Next: Archbishop Stepinac (Oct. 23, 7 p.m.)
7. Mount St. Michael (1-4) (6)
It has been a long season for the Mountaineers, but coming off itheir first win they hoped they could build some momentum down the stretch. Outside if a first-quarter safety, Mount, though, never got going in a tough loss to Xaverian. Gary Acquah and Co. couldn’t get their running game going and are likely out of the Class AAA playoff picture.
Next: @ No. 4 Fordham Prep (Oct. 24, 1:30 p.m.)
8. Xavier (3-3) (9)
Don’t look now, but here comes Xavier. After scoring a combined 13 points in back-to-back losses to open the season, the Knights young offensive line has gotten a bit older and running backs Jonny Clark, Chris Mattina, John Wilson and John Gearity are confident. The result? Three wins out of their last four games and two more winnable games on the horizon.
Next: Cardinal Spellman (Oct. 24, 8 p.m.)
9. St. Francis Prep (0-6) (8)
Things have gone from bad to worse for the winless Terriers, who were crushed by St. Joseph by the Sea, 65-32, Friday night at Mitchel Athletic Complex. There were a few bright spots, though, especially the play of quarterback Brendan Stackpole. The junior, who replaced senior Ryan Paccione in the second quarter, was 13-of-22 for 183 yards and rushed for 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Next: Holy Trinity (Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m.)
10. St. Peter’s (2-3) (10)
Its gut check time for St. Peters following a 40-7 blasting by undefeated Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains Saturday night. The Eagles had no answers for the versatile big-play Crusaders offense and their offense was especially bad. There was miscommunication, mental and physical errors and, especially alarming, finger pointing from that unit. We expect a much stronger performance on homecoming Saturday.
Next: Bishop Ford (Oct. 24, 2:30 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bishop Ford (2-4)