Erasmus coach Danny Landberg and his Dutchmen have their eyes on the prize.
FORT HAMILTON at LINCOLN, Saturday, noon
Division-leading Tigers (6-0) risk their unbeaten season in always intense Brooklyn borough showdown. Only this time, the battle may hold even more consequences than usual. Behind the high-octane trio of quarterback Frank Laino, tailback A.J. Richardson and wideout Brandon Reddish, Fort looks to keep step with Erasmus as the league's only remaining unbeatens. At 4-2, Railsplitters, desperately hope to solidify their playoff status, drawing yet another step closer to the division lead along the way. The steady hand of junior quarterback Andrew Vital (1,038 all purpose yards, 10 TDs) breeds immense cause for hope. Lincoln D has yielded an average of less than a touchdown in two of its last three games, while the Fort Hamilton offense has tallied a total of 95 points over that same span. Which team's resolve will be stronger?
CURTIS at WAGNER, Saturday, noon
As if they needed any more of an edge, Warriors figure to return Penn State bound linemen Dominique Easley this week to a defense that has allowed just 14 points over its last four games. With Easley sidelined by turf toe, tackle Jimmie Timmins rose to the occasion last week against borough rival Tottenville, registering 12 tackles and three sacks in 36-14 rout. Kassim Forbes and Avery Wright also added six tackles each for Curtis. But don't get it twisted, Warriors are hardly a one-dimensional outfit. Tailback Shaquan Coles ran for 210 yards and two scores against the Pirates, padding his PSAL-leading rushing total of 890 yards. The Falcons look to right the ship following last week's 26-14 hard- luck loss to defending PSAL champ Port Richmond. Quarterback Jordan Rodriguez sets the pace for Wagner with 953 all purpose yards and 11 touchdowns, while tailback Trevor Ellam has rushed for 429 yards and 11 scores.
MIDWOOD at ERASMUS, Saturday, noon
If Dutchmen are to pull of their goal of a perfect regular season, getting past surging Hornets may be their biggest last hurdle. But then, Wayne Morgan (949 totals yards, 13 TDs) and company have been all about conquering barriers all season. Beyond Morgan, Erasmus (averaging better 30-points per game) also boasts the consistent production of two-way studs Jauvan John ( eight touchdowns, 31 tackles) and Jonathan Yearwood (four touchdowns, 21 tackles, 3 sacks). Cougars' junior quarterback Dominic Clarke rushed for two scores in last week's come-from-behind 24-14 win over New Dorp, pushing Midwood (4-2) into a third-place division tie with Lincoln, Brooklyn Tech and Tottenville. Other than the 41-points surrendered to Sheepshead Bay in Week 3, Cougars D hasn't allowed more than two scores in any game all season. The question is have they really faced an offense as explosive as the Dutchmen?
SHEEPSHEAD BAY vs. PORT RICMOND, Saturday, noon
Jonathan Hernandez and defending PSAL champs won't go easily. (Photos by Ted Levin)
Call it the 'Resurrection Bowl,' as both the Sharks and Raiders look to further right their seasons after inauspicious beginnings. In winning their last four, Sheepshead (4-2) has outscored its opponents 142-32. Quarterback Deejay White (693 total yards, 7 TDs) and tailbacks Naquan Alexander (520 yards rushing, 6 TDs) and Devontai Carlie (490 yards, 4 TDs) have led the surge. Along the way, the Sharks D has also stiffened, allowing just fourteen points over the last eight quarters. Meanwhile, the defending PSAL champion Raiders (2-4) knocked off Wagner 26-14 last week to resurface in the Championship Division playoff chase. Seniors Charles Corneh (122 yards) and Rob Schroeder combined for 235 yards and a pair of touchdowns.Jonathan Hernandez and Luis Rice also ran for scores for the victors.
HOLY TRINITY at IONA PREP, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
For defending CHFSL champ Iona, the whole season may ride on the ability of its struggling defense to conference leading rusher Anthony Bruneti. The Titans bruising back has now barreled his way to 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns, setting the tone for Trinity's perfect, 4-0 start. Such mastery doesn't bode well for the Gaels, who surrendered 49-points just last week in an embarrassing loss to longtime rival St. Anthony's. But never underestimate the heart of a champion, especially one that boasts Tyrae Woodson-Samuels and Jeff Mack as part of its arsenal. Slowed by nagging injuries, neither of the returning all-staters has come close to matching the numbers they posted last season, but facing an upstart such as Trinity could certainly spell added motivation.
NEW DORP at TOTTENVILLE, Saturday, noon
Playoffs implications abound... not to mention bragging rights for the entire borough of Staten Island. But both teams enter heading in directions they'd rather not have to deal with. Pirates (4-2) simply hope to keep pace after falling hard at Curtis (36-14) last week. Still, if quarterback Jon Derbyshire can repeat his performance, things figure to be alright. Derbyshire passed for 261 yards and ran for both Tottenville scores. If last week left the Pirates smarting, just imagine how New Dorp must be feeling. After a 3-0 start, Cougars have dropped three in a row, including a 24-14 loss at Midwood last week during which they squandered a led 14-0 and allowed 18 fourth quarter points. To rebound, the duo of quarterback Mirjan Popovic (583 yards passing, 7 TDs) and wideout Elijah Bratcher (19 catches, 372 yards, 5 TDs) must rediscover their connection.
BAKER at ROME FREE ACADEMY, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
The Bees' Malik Burks guns for his fifth 200-yard game of the season against a Black Knights defense that has allowed an average of nearly 30-points per. The state's leading rusher at 1,443 yards, has also added 19 touchdowns, propelling Baker to a sparkling 6-0 start and top-dog status in the tight Section 3 AA 1 Division. Rome (2-4) hopes to resurrect its faint playoff hopes following last week's 27-0 drubbing at the hands of Cicero North.
ST. ANTHONY'S at CHAMINADE, Friday, 7 p.m.
Host Flyers look to right their season at the hands of the perennially powerful Friars. At 1-3, Chaminade currently stands on the outside looking in as far as the AAA-AA Catholic League playoffs are concerned. At the heart of all those hopes stands the senior tandem of quarterback Marc Anthony Parrino (514 yards passing, 4 TDs) and flanker Michael Ehrhardt (29 catches, 357 yards, 2 TDs). But St. Anthony's comes to town with a plan of its own in mind. At 3-1, Anthony trails first-place unbeatens St. Josephs and Holy Trinity by a game with tough road battles against Holy Cross and Xaverian still looming. Quarterback Thomas Schreiber (811 total yards, 7 TDs) and wideout Brendan Schroeder (nine catches, 2 TDs) led the offense, while the Friars defense has allowed just one touchdown over the last two weeks.
AUGUST MARTIN at JOHN ADAMS, Saturday, noon
Versatile senior Akeme Chavis (485 all purpose yards, eight touchdowns) sets the pace for Spartans (6-0), seeking to remain a step ahead of Jefferson in tight Bowl Division race. Chavis hauled in eight passes from quarterback Daniel Perez, including a 17-yard score, during last week's 20-0 drubbing of Tilden. After dropping two of its last three, Martin (3-2) hopes to keep its fading playoff hopes alive behind strong-armed senior quarterback Thomas Greyer (622 yards passing, seven touchdowns).
AQUINAS vs. MCQUAID JESUIT, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
It's the battle of the unbeatens in Rochester, as pair of 6-0 powers square off with the Section V supremacy on the line. Fresh off his four touchdown throwing performance in last week's 44-0 rout of Bishop Kearney, quarterback Manny Magliocco mans the helm for the four-time state champion The Little Irish. McQuaid, meanwhile. has dusted all its competition by a combined 196-38 score.
Want an upcoming game previewed? Want to report any recruiting news, score or other preps related story ideas? Contact Glenn Minnis at glennminnis@coachesaid.com
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