PSAL 4A Championship Preview: Erasmus Hall vs Tottenville

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The finale of New York City football is here. In New York City's top public school division, the four time defending champs Erasmus Hall will take on the young stars from Staten Island within Tottenville. Its two perennial powers that have been serious title contenders this decade. Both teams are filled with high level college talent, read below about the players you have to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Erasmus Hall </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["241147"],"_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 MVP of the PSAL Championship game last year was [player_tooltip player_id='241147' first='Caden' last='Brown'] and there was no debate about it. The big and explosive edge rusher did whatever he wanted against Canarsie and constantly got to the quarterback. This season he has 7 sacks and has been all over the field. Brown has been unblockable and he'll be a player to watch in this Erasmus Hall run defense, as Brown gets off blocks so quickly and is one of the best tacklers in all of New York.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["727386"],"_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":"This season [player_tooltip player_id='727386' first='Josira' last='Andrews'] has made an argument as the most entertaining player in all of New York City. His nickname is “House Call JoJo”, as he has 6 non offensive touchdowns on the season. When he has the ball in his hands it's something special to watch. Andrews had a huge semifinal performance against Curtis, as he came away with 3 interceptions including one that he took back to the house. He's one of the best DB's in New York but watch out for him on special teams, he's also one of the top return specialists in the state.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["505386"],"_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":"As a sophomore in this game last year, Samuel had a big time touchdown to help Erasmus Hall run away with a 21-0 victory. Now as a junior Samuel has several P5 offers and leads the PSAL 4A with 7 touchdowns on the year. His size and speed has given all of New York City a serious problem. Look for Erasmus Hall to get Samuel the ball early and often, he'll also be a scary threat in the redzone.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["241143"],"_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":"The combination that Bethea and [player_tooltip player_id='338358' first='Malik' last='Person'] have created has been special throughout their high school careers and now they get one last game together on the inside of this line. Bethea had a dominant championship game last year and he'll look to be a run stopping machine this time around against Tottenville. The Rutgers commit has over 40 tackles on the year and has owned the middle of the field. His size, athleticism and ability to get in the backfield and disrupt offense has made him a nightmare. Bethea and the rest of this Dutchmen defense will look to own their matchups in this game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6568db196146a"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Tottenville </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["426454"],"_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":"After being injured at the beginning of the year, New York's top freshman has lived up to the hype when he's been on the field. Brown, who has already secured an offer from Rutgers, has been tearing up the PSAL's top division. The speedster has been something special when he's gotten the chance to carry the football. 762 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, including impressive performances in the playoffs. Brown creates a scary combination with [player_tooltip player_id='402273' first='Tyshawn' last='Bent'], and if they get space and holes to run through, Tottenville can give the four time defending champs Erasmus Hall some trouble.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["402273"],"_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 top running back in the PSAL has been electrifying all year. He has formed a 1-2 punch with [player_tooltip player_id='426454' first='Kory' last='Brown'] that has been elite to say the least this season. Bent has been the complete package at the RB position with amazing speed, strength and vision. Bent has over 1,200 yards on the ground and it's no secret that the Pirates need to get him going to be successful. Bent has been making people miss in the open field all year long, now going against the city's best defense, it'll be something to watch if he has the same success. And like I mentioned earlier, the battle up front will be crucial in this game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["451428"],"_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":"This Tottenville team may be young, but Fully is an excellent senior leader and quietly one of the most dynamic players in all of New York City. In the regular season against Erasmus Hall, he took a kickoff all the way back for a touchdown. He did the same thing against New Dorp in the PSAL Quarterfinals. Fully had an impressive pick six against Canarsie as well. He's been great in coverage and an all around playmaker. He'll be matched up with tough Erasmus Hall receivers and will be asked to make an impact wherever he is on the field.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["505521"],"_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":"It's the same story as last year against Erasmus Hall, if you can survive and win the line of scrimmage you have a fighting chance. Last year Canarsie wasn't able to do that in the championship, but the Pirates are looking to flip the script. The Moore Catholic transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='505521' first='Cyrus' last='Cardona'] will be one of the many pieces that has to perform well. This Tottenville offensive line will need to be on the same page and Cardona will set the tone at the center position looking to open up the middle for those Pirate playmakers in the backfield. This Pirates offensive line has been on a roll. The last 5 games they've averaged well over 200 yards rushing and over 4 TD's per game, but now they have their toughest test of the postseason.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6568db196157a"} /-->