Impact Performers: Catholic League Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The right to go to championship Saturday was on the line this past weekend all across the catholic league. In all three classifications we saw some incredible playoff football being played. The stage is officially set for the championships but read about the players that stepped up to help their team get there</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["606298"],"_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":"There is no doubt that Belin has that “it” factor to him. Whenever he's outside of the pocket, the opposing teams get nervous because he'll either make a fantastic play with his arm or take off with his legs. He did both of those things against Archbishop Stepinac as he led his team to a fantastic win. Belin had 4 rushing touchdowns in this one. His vision and special elusiveness led him to the endzone constantly. He also made one of the best throws I've seen this season. With a linebacker taking him down, Belin finds a way to stand up and fire a missile off balance to his teammate for a long gain. Belin's arm strength, athleticism and the ability to create game changing plays makes him one of the best QB's in the state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["577406"],"_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":"The explosive senior receiver/returner had a big game to end his high school career. Worrell showcased why he's one of the most dangerous players in this league. When Stepinac needed a score desperately, [player_tooltip player_id='277898' first='Will' last='Currid'] lobbed up an incredible pass and he let Worrell make a play, as he caught right over the defenders head for an incredible TD. As a slot receiver he had some impressive catches through contact as he had to make plays against a very physical Cardinal Hayes defense. And just like all season long, he showed flashes of how dangerous he is in the return game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["735877"],"_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":"Heading into Friday night, most people considered Monsignor Farrells front seven to be the best in New York. Most teams had a hard time rushing on them but that wasn't the case for [player_tooltip player_id='735877' first='Joey' last='Gaston'] and Iona Prep. Gaston totaled 4 touchdowns on the evening. 3 of them came on the ground and Gaston's quick bursts and ability to battle through contact helped him succeed on the ground. He went 15-20 in the air and threw a touchdown to Steven Dowdy who had another huge game in his own right. Gaston's ability to make smart and quick decisions helped flow this Iona offense to another successful outing and a 4th straight AAA championship appearance.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["451507"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"St John's looked to avenge their loss from the regular season against St Peter's, and [player_tooltip player_id='451507' first='Luka' last='Skoda'] was a big reason why the Cougars will be playing on “Championship Saturday''. His impact at running back has changed this Cougars offense. He had two key touchdowns in the win over the Eagles. Both of these runs were all about power. Very few players in this league are as physical at Skoda on an every play basis. He brings unmatched energy and during those two TD runs he barreled his way into the end zone after running over defenders. And of course on defense he added double digit tackles. The run stopping LB had a big game slowing down the Eagles ground and pound style of play. He'll need to have another big game when he faces off against RJ Pacheco of Moore Catholic one of the best RB prospects in the state.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["505379"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"With a trip to the championship on the line, Moore Catholic's star came to play. It was Pacheco slicing and dicing through a tough Xavier defense whenever he had the ball. He only had 7 carries, but turned it into 186 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is one of those special 2025 prospects in the catholic league and he continues to prove it every single week. Pacheco has breakaway speed and effortlessly makes people miss. Other Moore Catholic stars have included freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='939501' first='Tommy' last='Zeh'] who has been incredible and senior receiver Boakai Abu Veikai has taken the league by storm.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["521449"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"This Cardinal Hayes defense has put the pieces together at the right time. Another successful week on the defensive side of the ball and Gio Downer was all over the field once again. The hard hitting senior continuously made plays for Hayes. Downer had a big game against Archbishop Stepinac at outside linebacker. He chased down the ball carrier multiple times and came away with key tackles. Downer did a great job at shedding blocks and getting in on tackles. While some of his hits were flashy in this one, his pass coverage ability against slot receivers is very good. This whole Hayes unit played very well and Downer has proven to be a great leader.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["818734"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The senior receiver from the Bronx stepped up in a big way during the Mount's semi final win. Perez recorded 7 grabs for 133 yards and a pair of scores. The twitchy receiver was creating separation with ease, but it's what he did after the catch that was so impactful. He had a long 61 yard touchdown, as after he caught the ball, he was able to make a defender miss and he was off to the races. Kennedy Catholic simply couldn't contain him in single coverage. Perez has stepped up throughout his senior year and now he is getting hot at the right time. The connection between him and his QB Marc Pearson has been incredible to say the least.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["452167"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The junior safety/linebacker had a tone setting interception early on for Iona. He helped the Gaels jump out to a 21-0 lead early and they never looked back. On his interception, he did a fantastic job at reading the QB and was able to come down and snag an interception. His pass coverage ability was on display all night, as he showed great instincts and did his job throughout the game. Davitt also had a big game tackling wise, he flies all over the field and the 2025 prospect will be one to watch against Cardinal Hayes in the title game","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6552ca30b64f4"} /-->