St. Anthony’s 2022 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>League: Catholic AAA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Joe Minucci</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2021 Results (6-4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loss @ Delbarton 20-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Win vs. Christ The King 41-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Win vs. Cardinal Hayes 48-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Win @ St. Peter's 42-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loss vs. Archbishop Stepinac 40-36</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Win vs. Moore Catholic 42-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loss vs. Iona Prep 35-34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Win vs. St. Francis Prep 44-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Win vs. Cardinal Hayes 42-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loss @ Iona Prep 35-28 (2OT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Team Preview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the only teams that could seriously threaten Iona Prep's throne atop the Catholic AAA League, head coach Joe Minucci brings back one of the most potent offenses in New York. Led by dual-threat quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='241877' first='Dante' last='Torres'] and wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='120010' first='Korey' last='Duff Jr.'] who were one of the top QB/WR connections last season. With nine returners on the Catholic AAA highest scoring offense from last season, the continuity should lead to another season of high-scoring output for Minucci's squad. Where questions lie is on a defense that only brings back two starters from last year. Luckily one of those players is star DB [player_tooltip player_id='231157' first='Ian' last='Strong'] who should help as a leader and playmaker who can create turnovers against teams who try and test St. Anthony's through the air. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two newcomers to watch are Freshman DL [player_tooltip player_id='284082' first='Preston' last='Carey'] and Junior TE/OLB [player_tooltip player_id='211728' first='Alex' last='Menghi'], who are newcomers to Minucci's varsity squad. Carey comes in with some solid national recognition, where he has offers from Michigan, Georgia, and Tennessee. Carey has the chance to be a major difference maker on a defense that will be looking to replace nine starters. On the other hand, [player_tooltip player_id='211728' first='Alex' last='Menghi'] looks like a potential breakout player for St. Anthony's. With the versatility to play on both sides of the ball in prominent roles, he may not fill up the stat sheet but could be a near-every-down player for St. Anthony's.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest challenge for Minucci and the defense will be replacing [player_tooltip player_id='229818' first='Andrew' last='Bardak'], who won the Rich Reichert award, awarded to the&nbsp;best player from the Long Island schools in the (NYCHSFL) Catholic High School Football League. Bardak was incredible throughout the seasons and especially in big games. In last season's 35-34 loss to Iona Prep, Bardak had 15 tackles, 4 TFL, and 2 Sacks. This type of production will be nearly impossible for one guy to replicate, but St. Anthony's can get that type of contribution through a committee of newcomers; the hole Bardak leaves may feel a little smaller. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Anthony's is a true threat to Iona Prep's reign atop the Catholic AAA standings. Combine their high ceiling with an explosive offense, and St. Anthony's will be one of the most exciting teams to watch in all of New York this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2023 Players to Watch (Notable 2021-22 Stats/Notes)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='231157' first='Ian' last='Strong'] DB/WR 6'4/180lbs (52 tackles, 2 INTS, Rutgers Commit, Did not play Offense as Junior)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='241877' first='Dante' last='Torres'] QB 6'3/210lbs (2300 passing yards, 21 passing TD's, 245 rushing yards,4 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='231162' first='Kenyon' last='Miles'] WR 6'2/185lbs (405 receiving Yards, 5 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2024 Players to Watch (Notable 2021-22 Stats/Notes)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='120010' first='Korey' last='Duff Jr.'] WR 6'5/210lbs (700 receiving yards, 5 TD's)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='211728' first='Alex' last='Menghi'] TE/OLB 6'2/215lbs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284082' first='Preston' last='Carey'] DL 6'5/265lbs (2026 Prospect, 9 DI offers)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2> 2022 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/9 vs. Chaminade 7pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/17 @ St. Joe's Regional 8pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/23 @ Farrell TBD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/1 @ Iona Prep 3:00pm</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season St. Anthony's two losses to Iona Prep were by a combined 8 points. No team in New York played Iona Prep better than St. Anthony's. We know [player_tooltip player_id='241877' first='Dante' last='Torres'] and [player_tooltip player_id='120010' first='Korey' last='Duff Jr.'] can keep them in the game offensively, but it will be up to this year's new defensive unit to get them over the hump against New York States' #1 ranked team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/8 @ Cardinal Hayes 3:00pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/14 vs. Fordham Prep 7pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/21 vs. Christ the King 7pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/28 @ Archbishop Stepinac 7pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->