Sunday, March 27, 2022

The Way Too Early 2022 Pre Season All Long Island Catholic Football Team

A way too early sneak peak of some guys to look out for in the 2022 season. The class of 2023 is special on Long Island, you'll see a lot of players on it here. 


QB- Dante Torres- St Anthony's (SR) An easy selection here, as he is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in all of New York. He can make plays through the air and with his feet. Torres is an elite prospect and he also returns almost all of his weapons giving him one of the top WR rooms in all of the tri-state area.

QB- Devin Page- Kellenberg (SR) After leading the Firebirds to a AAA playoff appearance, Page is back and will look to do it again. He played well in big games and showed why he's one of the best QBs on Long Island. 

RB- Frank Ruta (SR) /Darius Morant (SR)- St Anthony's- This duo will lead the Friars backfield in 2022. Frank Ruta is one of the best power backs in the state. He was an All League selection last year and had double digit TDs. Morant is a dynamic back who has breakaway speed and also gets a lot of yards after contact. 

RB- Jameer Reeder- Holy Trinity (JR)- An absolute bull of a running back. With Kam Robbins graduating, Reeder will be the focus in the backfield for the Titans. Reeder is strong and explosive, expect him to put up big numbers in this dynamic titans offense. 

WR- Korey "KJ" Duff Jr- St Anthony's (JR)- The 6'5 receiver was an all league selection as a sophomore and now has been ranked as a 3 star recruit. Duff is a superstar who has gotten multiple power five offers. He put up great numbers last year and will be even more dangerous this upcoming season. He is a complete mismatch for every defense he faces.

WR- Kenyon Miles (St Anthony's) (SR)- He'd be the number one receiver on almost any other team on Long Island. Miles has been amazing the past 2 years and will have a great senior season. A smooth route runner, who can go up and get it. He is a super exiting player to watch and also has multiple D1 offers. 

WR- Dylan Brathwaite- Holy Trinity (SR)- Fresh off of the West Point offer, Brathwaite is one of the best players in the state. He is one of the fastest players in all of the Northeast. With his deep threat ability, he can have a special senior season.

WR- Timmy Longo- St Anthony's (SR)- Someone I'd call Mr. Reliable. He made so many plays for the Friars when they needed it most. Longo has great hands and is very tough to bring down. He's one of the Friars receivers that could have an amazing season.

ATH- Josiah Brown- Holy Trinity (JR)- One of the best pure athletes in the state and a 3 star recruit. Josiah "The Jet" Brown just received an offer from Notre Dame and other power five schools after a great sophomore year. Brown has blazing speed and is a nightmare for opposing defenses. He can do a little bit of everything for the Titans. 

ATH- Gavin Creo- Chaminade (SR) The Richmond lacrosse commit is back for the Flyers after a great junior season. He is a threat as a running back or as a wide receiver. Creo is so dynamic and he'll be the go to guy for this Flyers offense this fall.

TE- Alex Menghi- St Anthony's (JR)- Menghin is a matchup nightmare for defenses. He is too athletic for linebackers to cover and too big and strong for defensive backs. He can also get out and block defensive ends. He'll be key in this Friars offense for blocking purposes and catching purposes. 

TE- Jack Francessa- Chaminade (SR)- He missed the second half of the year due to injury but when Francessa was on the field he made a big impact. An absolute fearless tight end who is an amazing blocker. 

OL- Carson Ciancuelli- St Anthony's(SR)- One of the captains in 2022 for the Friars. He'll lead the offensive line next season. He had a great junior campaign shwoing he's a very dynamic offensive lineman. He had success blocking some of the top defensive lineman in New York last year. 

OL- Mason Dietrecth- Chaminade (SR)- Dietrich is the lone returner on the Chaminade offensive line and he'll be pancake machine in 2022. He showed plenty of versatility starting every game at three different positions. Look out for him to be paving big holes once his senior campaign is finally here. 

OL- Christian Oliva- St Anthony's (SR)- Along with Ciancuelli, this will be Oliva's third year starting on the line. He's been a cornerstone of the Friars offense. Oliva registered 37 pancakes a year ago and did a great job protecting Dante Torres.

OL- Irv Briggs lV- Holy Trinity (SR)- One of the states best 2 way lineman. He'll be a force defensively as he's a special athlete. At 6'4 265 he clocked a 4.9 forty yard dash. Briggs will anchor the Titans line on both sides of the ball all season long.

OL- Joe Fasalino- St John the Baptist (SR)- One of the most underrated offensive lineman in New York State. Fasalino is the real deal for this cougars offense. He was a big part of why St Johns was so successful with the ground game last season

DL- Luke Ventura- Chaminade (SR)- A player who dominated the line of scrimmage last year and was a big piece of that amazing Flyers defensive line. He moved very well for his size and gave many offensive lineman a lot of trouble. 

DL- Owen McDevitt- Kellenberg (SR)- One of the many talented senior firebirds on defense. McDevitt felt with some injuries last year, but at full strength he is a monster. I expect him to have a big year for Kellenberg defense that has so many playmakers 

DL- Dean Aquilina- Chaminade (SR)- He's one of the top D lineman on Long Island. Aquilina was a beast during his junior campaign in 2021 and I don't think it'll stop there. He'll be one of the leaders for a very strong front seven that the Flyers will have in 2022. 

DL- Chris Bacon- Holy Trinity (SR)- At 6'3 215, he creates problems for so many offensive lineman with his speed and strength. He's one of the best pass rushers on Long Island and will look to keep that title after they play some great offensive lineman in 2022. 

LB- Nick Parisi- Holy Trinity (JR)- Parisi is an elite linebacker who's a great tackler. His combination of size and speed will help him have a great junior campaign. He has the intangibles to have huge season in 2022 and make it real difficult for opposing offenses 

LB- Charles Battaliga- Chaminade (SR) One of the best linebackers in New York State. He came off of a dominant junior season and truly had a breakout year. The senior linebacker is a tackling machine and will lead the Flyers D next season against some of New York's best offenses.

LB- Patrick Moloney- St John the Baptist (SR)- One of the most productive linebackers in the NYCHSFL. He registered 128 tackles last season and was a leader of this Cougars defense. He is an absolute missile from the linebacker position. 

LB- Jack Ligarzewski- Kellenberg (SR)- He had a major breakout season last year and made a name for himself. Ligarzeswki is hard hitter for the firebirds and he did a little bit of everything with being great in pass coverage and a terrific tackler.

Hybrid- Melan Williams- Holy Trinity (SR)- The versatility of Melan Williams is special. He has tremendous athleticism and football IQ to make him either a great DB or a terrific linebacker. He'll sit back in pass coverage or stop the run, it doesn't matter because he will always make plays.

DB- Ian Strong- St Anthony's (SR) The 6'5 defensive back will come back as a 3 year starter for St Ants. Strong has showed the capability of being a great corner after facing so many great receivers last season. He'll be one of the leaders of this defense and will face the opposing teams top option week in and week out. 

DB- Sean Cannon- Kellenberg (SR) One of the most exciting players in New York. Cannon does everything for the Firebirds and was an absolute ball hawk on the defensive side for Kellenberg last year. Cannon showed the ability to make a lot of tackles and of course had his fair share of interceptions. He'll be all over the field next season. 

DB -Elijah Alverez- St John the Baptist (SR) The senior defensive back was electric for St John's last year. Alverez is one of the hardest hitting DB's on Long Island. He's an absolute stud and will anchor this cougars defense and will look to make plays all season long. 

DB- Jayden Platt- St Anthony's (SR) He delt with some injuries, but when on the field he was phenomenal Platt will certainly make an impact for the Friars this season. He gave receivers a hard time last season and will look to do that again

Kicker- Timothy Tomlinson- Chaminade (JR)- One of the best place kickers in the state. He has the ability to knock down 50+ yard FG's as we saw him do it last season. Only a matter of time before he receives big time attention.

Honorable Mentions - 

WR- Nick Matos- St Anthony's (SR) "November Nick" had a great post season last year putting on a show against Iona Prep. His speed and route running will make him one of the best receivers on Long Island this upcoming season.

LB- Matthew Watterson- Kellenberg (SR) Another big time defensive player for the Firebirds. Very hard hitter and someone who will produce a ton for a loaded Kellenberg defense.

WR/ATH-Andre Kirton- Holy Trinity (SR) Another blazing fast player for the Titans. His speed will allow him to make amazing plays in this Titans offense. Look for Kirton to breakout in 2022.

WR- Jayson Zeva- St John the Baptist (SR) He will be the go to wide receiver for the cougars in 2022. Zeva's route running skills are some of the best and he'll makes plays all season long.

DB- Claude-Albert Makelele- Kellenberg (SR)- A terrific corner for the Firebirds who can lockdown wide receivers week in and week out. He was a big reason why the Firebirds made the AAA playoffs last year. He will form an amazing duo with Sean Cannon in the secondary. One of the top DBs in New York.

LB- JoJo Dechario- St Anthony's (SR) The leading linebacker for the Friars in 2022. He has made an impact since he was a sophomore. There's a chance he could end up as the top linebacker on Long Island with the potential he showed while playing alongside Andrew Bardak and Matt Moss the last two seasons.

LB- Matt Rappa (SR)/Ben Mann (SR) Chaminade- Two playmaking linebackers who'll play well with Battaglia and get a lot of tackles in 2022. This LB core for Chaminade is loaded and it'll be hard for anybody to run on this team.

DB- Ranall White- Holy Trinity (JR)- Will be starting for a third straight year in the Titans secondary. Tremendous athlete who makes receivers lives difficult. 

WR- Jaeden Jenkins- St Anthony's (SR)- The Penn State lacrosse commit is another reliable receiver for the Friars. He's been great since his sophomore year and he's shown he can go up and get it

QB- Michael Wheaton- St John the Baptist (JR)- After just transferring in, Wheaton will head this SJB offense. He has a terrific arm and is a straight up playmaker. He'll form an amazing connection with star wideout Jayson Zeva.

LB/RB Chris Moore- Kellenberg (SR)- Another solid two way player for the firebirds. He should get reps at RB with Brandon Leahy graduating and Moore will continue making plays at linebacker

QB-Rocco Rainone (JR)/Zion Woodhull Trippett (SR)- Holy Trinity Both QBs will get time for the Titans and they will have plenty of weapons to work with. Both of them have great arms and will put up great numbers in the 2022 season.

DL- Thomas Mackell- St Anthony's (SR) One of the few returns in the Friars front seven. Mackell will be an X factor for this St Anthony's defense if they want to be successful up front in 2022. 

RB- John Tulley- Chaminade (JR)- Another candidate to be a breakout player. He dominated on junior varsity last season and has the athleticism to have a statement junior season. If he's the workhorse in the Chaminade backfield, watch out. 

OL- Ryan Murphy- St Anthony's (SR)- He will step into a large role on the Friars O line. He could be one of the top breakout players for St Anthony's.

DB- Sean Dennehy- St John the Baptist (SR)- He's been a staple in this St John's defense the past couple seasons and he'll be a strong defensive back once again in 2022 after registering over 100 tackles last season.