Season Recap: St Anthony’s Friars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past season was a year to remember for St Anthony's. They won their first AAA league title since 2013. The Friars capped off the 2022 season with an 11-1 record and a New York Catholic State Championship. They had one of the best offenses in the Tri-State area averaging over 40 points per game against stellar competition. This incredible offensive unit featured some of the best players in the state. St Anthony's had a special senior class on both sides of the ball. With these seniors graduating, there were a couple of young explosive players that can breakout even further next year. Take a look at some of the standout prospects the Friars had this past season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><em>Top Performers </em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231157"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 6'4 senior did everything for the Friars. It was his first season playing offense and Strong put on a show. His size created mismatches for DB's. He displayed his jump ball ability constantly coming down with a reception. Strong's ability to make people miss after the catch also created problems for every defense he faced. The Rutgers commit also played as a safety and linebacker for the Friars, showing off his speed, physicality and ball skills. Strong will enroll early at Rutgers","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["120010"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the most entertaining WR's in the state. You can line him up in the slot or the outside it doesn't matter, he flat out makes plays as he had 4 touchdowns in the league championship game. When you threw it up to KJ Duff, he was coming down with it. At 6'5, Duff is so tough to match up. His footwork is incredible, as he seemingly always created separation. The talented junior made a ton of catches in traffic and just like the other Friar receivers he was a great blocker.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["241877"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='241877' first='Dante' last='Torres'] had a historic season throwing for over 3000 yards and setting a school record with 32 passing touchdowns. Torres' has an incredible arm and looked very comfortable in the pocket. He also showed his elusiveness, constantly avoiding tacklers and making incredible throws on the run. In big games he showed the ability to the ball in a spot where only his receiver could get it. HIs running ability was a game changer down the stretch. He showed terrific speed and vision as he ran for over 100 yards and multiple scores in the AAA championship game vs Iona. u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639a7221a4497"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><em>Stars ready to shine moving forward </em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211728"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"At 6'4 he was a great safety outlet for [player_tooltip player_id='241877' first='Dante' last='Torres'], as he caught every target he had. Menghi's run blocking ability was shown off all year. His ability at 6'4 200 pounds to block defensive ends, and being a great receiving threat is an asset any team would love. With a couple of the top receiving options graduating, look for Menghi to catch a lot more passes and have an incredible senior year in both blocking and receiving.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["284082"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe freshman was a force at defensive tackle fighting through double teams and coming away with 57 tackles on the year. Every single week Carey improved and had a major impact on the game. At 6'5 280 the way Carey moves is impressive to say the least. He has a quick first step and already was one of the strongest players on the field. It's clear he could play anywhere on the defensive line and cause havoc. He's in the process of setting himself up for an enormous sophomore year. He'll continue gaining attention from the top colleges in the country.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639b4ae772cf3"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><em>Sending off 2023's </em></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["273470"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"He came away with the nickname “November Nick” for all the exciting plays he had in the postseason throughout his career. Matos was a magician near the sidelines, coming away with some incredible toe tapping catches throughout the year. He was a very smooth route runner and great deep threat for this Friars offense. Matos was an amazing downfield blocker helping guide his teammates to the endzone.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["528696"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"He was one of the few returning starters on this defense and he helped this unit become very effective down the stretch. The senior leader registered 100 tackles and made important plays in the games that mattered most. Dechario is a very physical run stopper and consistently made tackles for this defense. His IQ was showcased every time he stepped out onto the field as he was always in a spot to make a play.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639b4ae772d7f"} /-->