NYCHSFL Breakout Player Candidates for this upcoming season
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Last year the NYCHSFL was filled with incredible senior talent. With so many players graduating it leaves room for new players to step up. Checkout these prospects who can have a breakout season in New York’s most competitive high school…
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Continue ReadingLast year the NYCHSFL was filled with incredible senior talent. With so many players graduating it leaves room for new players to step up. Checkout these prospects who can have a breakout season in New York’s most competitive high school football league.
Stepinac was a pass heavy team last season but you can expect them to utilize their ground game a little bit more with Robinson’s senior year on the horizon. He is an old fashioned reliable running back. Robinson is a guy that will move the chains for the Crusaders all year long. He hits the hole hard and has the ability to make people miss in the open field. He has the combination of strength and agility. Robinson isn’t afraid to be a bruiser of a running back and lower his shoulder to gain those extra tough yards. Robinson has been a starter for multiple seasons, watch out for him to put up great numbers and for his veteran status to show when he displays great football IQ.
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Holy Trinity has a lot of flashy talent but they don’t have a lot of depth up front. That’s where Costa becomes so valuable. He is one of the most reliable centers in New York. Costa has been making plays since his sophomore year and now for his senior year, he can step up and be an all state type player. He has impeccable strength at 285 pounds, being able to handle the big defensive tackles without an issue. Costa will be a key factor in paving holes for a powerful Holy Trinity run game. I’m expecting him to be one of the strongest players in the NYCHSFL this season which will help gain looks at the next level
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Last season Nartey slotted in as a starting cornerback for the Gales and he had an excellent first season with Iona Prep. His footwork was very impressive as he thrived with the challenge of facing some of the top receivers in the northeast. Nartey didn’t shy away from the big moment either. Against one of New Jersey’s top teams within Don Bosco, he stepped up and showed his ball skills. He came away with the game sealing interception to lift his team to one of the biggest out of state victories in recent memory by a New York football team. Going into his senior year, I’d like to see Nartey add a little strength to help him against bigger receivers. But expect the combination of Nartey’s athleticism and IQ to help elevate him into one of the top defensive backs in the NYCHSFL this season.
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Chris Novelli
Chris Novelli
St Anthony’s had one of the best offenses in the northeast last season and a huge reason was because of how the offensive line stepped up. Novelli had to play well at the tackle position and he did exactly that. At 6’2 and 240 pounds, he isn’t the biggest or the strongest but he was one of the most athletic players on the field. He showed a strong lower base which helped him push around some of the top defensive lineman in New York. Now with the two senior leaders gone on the Friars offensive line, it’ll be Novelli as the senior leader. He’ll take on key responsibilities against elite edge rushers, he already had incredible strength for his size, once he becomes bigger he will be an issue for defensive lineman all season long.
Monsignor Farrell has a great 2025 class and Clarke might be the top guy out of the group.. He made a big impact on varsity on both sides of the ball. He was a terrific tight end being able to block and be a threat in the receiving game. At 6’2 and 215 pounds he was very physical and made some big tackles. His footwork allows him to be a very effective pass rusher. There will be a lot of attention on Louis Martinez Louis Martinez 6’2″ | 230 lbs | DL Monsignor Farrell | 2024 State NY and Yasire Dejesus Yasire Dejesus 6’2″ | 220 lbs | DL Monsignor Farrell | 2024 State NY which will allow Clarke to thrive against opposing offensive lines. Once Clarke gets stronger, he will easily become one of the top pass rushers in this league. With a full season of experience under his belt, expect Clarke to take the next step on both sides of the ball for Monsignor Farrell.
The super athletic sophomore, has breakout season written all over him. Stepinac returns a ton of talent on offense but they graduated three key receiving options, including one of the states leaders in receptions within Gjok Dedvuaki. That’s where Spellman comes in and makes a difference for Stepinac. Last season he showed his big play ability in special teams. He was excellent playing in special teams as he pulled off some big plays as either a returner or coming away with tackles on kickoffs. Stepinac was creative with spellman using him as a running back and a receiver. When Spellman plays receiver this season, watch out for his quickness to get him loose and be a serious threat downfiueld. While attention will be focused on Jahi Gary Jahi Gary 6’5″ | 200 lbs | WR Archbishop Stepniac | 2024 State NY , it’ll let Spellman make plays and create a dangerous combonation with his quarterback Will Currid Will Currid 6’2″ | 195 lbs | QB Archbishop Stepinac | 2024 State NY
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Last year when Jayson Zeva Jayson Zeva 5’10” | 175 lbs | WR St. John The Baptist | 2023 State NY was the number one target, he broke school records. Now it’s DJ Lisbon DJ Lisbon 6’4″ | 180 lbs | WR St. John The Baptist | 2024 State NY ‘s turn to step into the spotlight as the number one wide receiver for the Cougars. At 6’4 he creates mismatches for defensive backs all across the league. He made a number of really tough catches throughout his junior season. Lisbon showed that he was a threat downfield, whether it was using his size or using his speed, he was consistently getting the job done. But he wasn’t just a deep threat, the lengthy receiver showed his ability to take screen passes and fight for extra yards to help his team move the chains.
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In years past Chaminade has had some star running backs. From 2019 through 2022, Mario Fischetti and Christian Alacaqua were superstars out of the backfield for Chaminade and now Jack Tully could be that next great player. He resembles the explosiveness of previous great Chaminade backs. Tully broke away some key runs to help this Chaminade team against really good defenses. With Gavin Creo Gavin Creo 5’8″ | 170 lbs | WR Chaminade | 2023 NY graduating, Tully will be the main focus of the Flyers offense. His increase in touches will lead to plenty of production and he has the ability to either play football or lacrosse at the next level, due to his elite athleticism.
The athletic sophomore made a name for himself in 2022. He registered over 60 tackles and 3 interceptions during the season and he made a ton of key plays. Vanterpool will be a crucial piece to this Mavericks defense the next two years. His tackling ability is impressive, he explodes to the ball carrier and hits with a purpose. He was valuable in coverage as he locked down some of the top slot receivers in New York. His pass coverage skills are sneakily some of the best in this league and he could be in for a breakout season.