PRZNY Team Previews: Chaminade Flyers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season (1-8)</h2>   <p>After making the AAA semi-finals in 2022, Chaminade only managed to win one game in 2023. Chaminade had one of the toughest schedules in the state and had struggled offensively. Star running back Jack Tully missed a large portion of the year and the Flyers lost to Archbishop Stepinac in the first round of the AAA playoffs. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Heading into his third year as a starter for Chaminade, Catoggio has established himself as one of the state's best. He's currently a top 10 prospect on Long Island for the class of 2025. He received his first two division one offers this summer from Holy Cross and Marist. Catoggio has excellent size and footwork. His technique is right up there with some of the top lineman in the state. He has the ability to play anywhere on the line, but he'll be playing left tackle this year and will be a leader for the Flyers offense.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X Factors</h2>    <p>Dietrich is the top wide receiver for a loaded receiving corps out there in Mineola. The Flyers are expected to pass the ball more and utilize receivers like Dietrich more often this season. Dietrich was an All League player last season, and he's lined up for an excellent senior season. This summer Dietrich has put himself in the conversation with the top receivers in the state. He has torn up the camp circuit and collected multiple NESCAC offers. Dietrich will be one of the league's top route runners this season. Look out for him to be the top target in a Flyers offense that's expected to have a bounce back season. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Last season Schmitt put himself on the map with a terrific junior campaign. Schmitt led the Flyers in tackles, as he registered 82 tackles and 8 TFLs in just 9 games last year. Schmitt is a fearless inside linebacker who will be the heart of the Chaminade defense. He's a classic hard hitter who will anchor the Flyers' run defense against a very tough slate of competition.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">After showing flashes as a junior, Braz will be one of the top playmakers for Chaminade this upcoming season. Braz will be playing both ways this season for the Flyers. He'll be playing both receiver and cornerback. At 6'2 and 190, Braz is a long and athletic player who will be very impactful. You can expect Braz to haul in more receptions this season as a senior.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Handley is another defensive player who made a name for himself last season for the Flyers. The 6-foot-3 safety had two interceptions last season and delivered some hard hits. He's expected to play some outside linebacker this year for this Chaminade defense and make some plays in the front seven. Handley has collected multiple NESCAC offers so far this summer. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Park is the final receiver of the Flyers' talented trio. Similar to Braz, Park showed flashes of elite playmaking ability last season. Park is a very explosive receiver who will be a matchup issue for plenty of cornerbacks. When Park has the ball, he is electric in open space. He is another Flyers receiver who put together a solid summer and is expected to take the next step this year.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Player</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Since Chaminade rarely brings up sophomores, it seems like they always have a few juniors who have monster breakout seasons. [player_tooltip player_id='606282' first='Luca' last='Smith'] was dominant on Chaminade's JV team last season. He had a ton of TFLs and was one of the top players in that division. Smith is an explosive player that has excelled this offseason.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Year</td><td>Position</td><td>Notes</td></tr><tr><td>Timothy Battagila</td><td>2025</td><td>TE/DT/LS</td><td>Big and Strong player, will be impactful on both sides of the ball</td></tr><tr><td>Robert Lawler</td><td>2025</td><td>DE</td><td>Long, Athletic, good pass rusher </td></tr><tr><td>Daniel Landrem</td><td>2025</td><td>DB</td><td>Returning starter at cornerback</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='606263' first='Giancarlo' last='Viscardi']</td><td>2025</td><td>NG</td><td>Experienced, strong, leader on the DL</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1105267' first='Tim' last='Murphy']</td><td>2025 </td><td>QB</td><td>Great athlete, dual-threat</td></tr><tr><td>Nicholas Cuomo</td><td>2025</td><td>DB</td><td>Impactful safety, 49 tackles last season</td></tr><tr><td>CJ Knox</td><td>2025</td><td>OL</td><td>Will play center , tough lineman</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1236578' first='Peter' last='Gerbasi']</td><td>2025</td><td>RB</td><td>Starter at RB, Lehigh lacrosse commit</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1742457' first='Brady' last='Murray']</td><td>2026</td><td>WR</td><td>Versatile and strong player</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='805814' first='Declan' last='Miller']</td><td>2026</td><td>OL</td><td>Will be a starter at RG, high ceiling, 2nd year starter as a junior</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='606305' first='Sean' last='Powers']</td><td>2026</td><td>WR</td><td>Excellent hands, provides depth at WR</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='939944' first='Sean' last='Carnevale']</td><td>2027</td><td>QB</td><td>JV starter, high ceiling</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key losses/commitments</h2>   <p>OL- Nicholas Rinaldi- Davidson</p>   <p>RB Jack Tully- Bucknell (lacrosse)</p>   <p>LB- Seamus Miller- Trinity </p>   <p>DE/OLB- Eamon Welch- Wesleyan </p>   <p>WR- James Levelis- Denison </p>   <p>DB- John Marshall</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule </h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Chaminade_FB/status/1751961799807701425 </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Outlook</h2>   <p>Head Coach: Tom Claro </p>   <p>The Flyers are under new leadership for this upcoming season. Tom Claro is the new head coach. As usual, Chaminade has put together a very challenging schedule. They start their season with a rivalry game on the road against St Anthony's. Their week 2 slot is now filled with a road game against John Jay and then they will meet Seton Hall Prep (NJ) for their last non-conference game. Chaminade returns an exciting receiving corps with two talented quarterbacks on the roster. On defense, they are led by a strong group of seniors for an always large roster. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Things going for the Flyers</h2>   <p>The wide receiver room: Chaminade has a very talented senior trio leading the way at this position. They also have multiple underclassmen that can contribute. This position is the strongest part of their team. </p>   <p>This year Chaminade is expected to have more players to play on both sides of the ball which will improve their defense </p>   <p>Chaminade brings in some exciting coaches accompanied by a senior class playing with a big chip on their shoulder.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">One Area of Concern</h2>   <p>They don't return many players on the defensive line and that will be an area they have to step up in to make noise in the AAA. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word</h2>   <p>This Chaminade team is lined up to have a much better season here in 2024. They are a group that can give the top teams in the division a hard time this season. The Flyers wide receiver room is one of the most talented in New York. They will have to get those guys more involved this season. If they do that and have quality quarterback play they will be an extremely dangerous offense. Just 2 years ago Chaminade reached the AAA semifinals, this strong senior class, and new coaching staff allows them to make another run in November.</p>