PRZNY Team Previews: Curtis Warriors

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season: (6-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a rocky start for Curtis last season. They lost to two out-of-state opponents and then were stunned by James Madison to start with a 0-3 record. Curtis would bounce back with four straight wins. They got a playoff win over Kennedy and eventually lost to Erasmus Hall in the PSAL 4A semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1208308"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1ee9a8d338"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was hard to believe that Gomez was just a freshman last year. The big and talented running back had a terrific first season at the varsity level. He immediately became a key factor in the Curtis offense and he was a huge reason why the Warriors found their groove in the middle of the season. Gomez was running people over in his film and was one of the best power backs in the PSAL, he is expected to have a terrific sophomore year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X Factors</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806230"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1ee9a8d3a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another excellent running back for the Warriors. They have an experienced line coming back and the kid they call “Mookie” will be running hard behind it. He had a breakout season last year as a terrific back for Curtis. He created a great duo with [player_tooltip player_id='1208308' first='Quadare' last='Gomez'] and kept defenses off balance. While Gomez is big and powerful, Moukazis is smaller but very elusive. He is a slippery back that can breakaway from defenses, he is in store for a great senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["712938"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1ee9a8d410"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">King will be one of the main leaders of the secondary. He is long and athletic, King made some great plays on the ball last year during his first season with Curtis. He registered a couple of interceptions and showed good instincts as a defensive back. King was able to make some tackles as well and was one of the top defensive players for Curtis last season. He is expected to make an impact on both sides of the ball this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402266"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1ee9a8d475"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the strengths of this Curtis team is their defensive line, and Serate will be relied on a ton this season. He is one of the bigger lineman prospects in the PSAL and he's made a great impact since his freshman year. Serate moves well and registered a bunch of TFLs last year. He will be the anchor of this talented defensive line unit </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806228"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1ee9a8d4d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A staple in this Curtis program. Dukes is a four year varsity guy and he's done a great job during his sophomore and junior campaigns for Curtis. Dukes is going to be the top receiver and one of the best playmakers for the Curtis offense this year. Dukes is a great athlete that can gain a ton of yardage after the catch. He's dangerous in open space, but he also proved to be a big threat downfield. Look out for Dukes to give defenses a hard time this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806235"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d1ee9a8d534"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year we saw some flashes from Lewis in the secondary. He made some great plays during his sophomore year and he could take the next step this upcoming season. He was a great tackler last season and only became stronger and more athletic this offseason. Lewis will be a hard hitting safety for Curtis and could see action on offense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <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>Mike Vanmanen</td><td>2025</td><td>QB</td><td>Athletic qb, turned the offense around last season</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='648916' first='Ashton' last='Wilson']</td><td>2025</td><td>OL</td><td>Switching to OL, a big and strong prospect </td></tr><tr><td>AJ Gambardella</td><td>2025</td><td>LB</td><td>Talented LB, multi-sport star (lacrosse)</td></tr><tr><td>Saquonne Lawton</td><td>2025</td><td>LB</td><td>Athletic LB, experienced, playmaker</td></tr><tr><td>Javon Mitchell </td><td>2025</td><td>LB</td><td>Hard-hitting LB prospect</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden Wright</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chauncey Mims&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>David Salazar&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kristian Fenton Bernal</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/staten-island/curtis-warriors/football/schedule/">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/staten-island/curtis-warriors/football/schedule/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Season Outlook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Peter Gambardella</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curtis might have my favorite start to the season. They play against Moore Catholic in a Staten Island public vs private matchup that everyone has been waiting for. Then the Warriors will play perennial powerhouse New Rochelle in a highly anticipated game. Then Curtis plays their typical PSAL 4A schedule. They will see rivals Tottenville, Lincoln, Erasmus Hall, and all the other usual suspects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Things Going for the Warriors </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ground game: Curtis returns their top two rushers and has an offensive line that will be starting five seniors. They are talented, experienced and well coached. That's a recipe for a very successful offense this upcoming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB core: Gambardella, Lawton and Mitchell are all playmakers. They all bring something great to this defense and they will be counted on to help slow down elite run games like Tottenville and Lincoln.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What returns: Last season Curtis had to play many guys that were young or inexperienced. There were some bumps in the road, but they got it together and those guys are back and ready to take the next step this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">One Area of Concern</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cracking the top two: Curtis returns a lot but so does Tottenville and Erasmus Hall. Last season it felt like Curtis was a step behind. So it'll be interesting if they can spoil an expected Erasmus Hall-Tottenville championship rematch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curtis has a very promising offense this year. A senior led offensive line with their starting QB and top two running backs returning is a very nice luxury. Curtis has a terrific front seven and will be able to challenge some of the top run attacks in the PSAL. They are expected to make the final four again and with this roster they have a great chance to do so. If they're in the final four and stay healthy there's a realistic chance they can shock some people and be playing for a PSAL Title. <br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->