Preseason Rankings: Catholic League Top Three Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Catholic League has produced some impressive teams and players over the last few years. In this article we predict the top three teams across the Catholic league. Only three teams will be featured in this article, as I believe multiple are tied for the #4 and #5 slot on this list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>T-2. <strong>Archbishop Stepinac</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach: <strong>AJ Magee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Magee</strong> led Crusaders to a <strong>1-10</strong> record in 2024. A down year in 2024 with the lone win coming against <strong>Moore Catholic</strong>. Some key loses last year came from <strong>McDonough (MD), Archbishop Spalding (MD), St. Joseph (NJ), St. Peters, St. Anthony's, Iona Prep, Monsignor Farrell, and Cardinal Hayes</strong>. The Crusaders played a grueling schedule last season. Archbishop Stepinac and Coach Magee have a number of playmakers who will revenge last season. Some players include, W<strong>R's [player_tooltip player_id='820269' first='Eddie' last='Keeler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1285427' first='Adrian' last='Almeida'], [player_tooltip player_id='1208805' first='Jordyn' last='Eaton'], DL [player_tooltip player_id='1345061' first='Elias' last='Murray'], EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='819994' first='Ka'Mauri' last='Guinyard'], and about 20 other players in the 2027 and 2028 classes</strong>. The schedule this year is equally as challenging with Central Catholic (MA), and DePaul Catholic (NJ) battling the Crusaders. I predict a record of <strong>7-3</strong>, through the ten games listed. Key loses fall at the hands of <strong>St. Anthony's, Iona Prep, and DePaul Catholic</strong> in a NJ Vs NY battle. Key wins come from <strong>Central Catholic (MA), Lincoln, Chaminade, St Joseph By The Sea, and Cardinal Hayes</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/white-plains/archbishop-stepinac-crusaders/football">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/white-plains/archbishop-stepinac-crusaders/football</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>T-2. <strong>St. Anthony's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach: <strong>Joe Minucci</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Minucci</strong> led his Friars to a <strong>9-4</strong> record last season. Key wins from 2024 included <strong>University Prep, Monsignor Farrell, Archbishop Stepinac, Kellenberg, Cardinal Hayes, and St. John The Baptist</strong>. The four loses came from <strong>Don Bosco (NJ), Chaminade, and Iona Prep (x2)</strong>. Key playmakers for the 2025 campaign, include <strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id='840987' first='Bryce' last='Ciancuielli'], [player_tooltip player_id='840988' first='Daniel' last='Garcia'], DB's [player_tooltip player_id='1208765' first='Kevin' last='Moore'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1641184' first='Nyrell' last='Camps'], 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='425629' first='Xavier' last='Bala'], OL's [player_tooltip player_id='589111' first='Jack' last='Ortiz'], and [player_tooltip player_id='939411' first='Imperial' last='Jenkins'], TE [player_tooltip player_id='469136' first='Jax' last='Prokop'], and DL [player_tooltip player_id='1513271' first='Juan' last='Moreno']</strong>. The schedule for St. Anthony's is equally grueling this season. With ten games on the schedule, I predict a <strong>7-3</strong> record for the Friars. Key wins in 2025 come against <strong>Archbishop Stepinac, University Prep, Cardinal Hayes, and Fordham Prep</strong>. The three loses come at the hands of <strong>Don Bosco Prep (NJ), Iona Prep, and McDonough (MD)</strong>. A deep playoff run is possible for Coach Minucci and his Friars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/melville/st-anthonys-friars/football/schedule">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/melville/st-anthonys-friars/football/schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Iona Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach: Joe Spagnolo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Spagnolo</strong> led his Gaels to an <strong>11-2</strong> record in 2024. Iona Prep suffered two early loses against New Jersey Teams like <strong>Bergen Catholic and Delbarton</strong>. Some key wins from last year included <strong>Archbishop Stepinac, St. John the Baptist, Chaminade, Monsignor Farrell, St. Anthony's and Canisius</strong> in the playoffs. Key playmakers for the 2025 season include <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='600090' first='Dalton' last='Lozin'], OL's [player_tooltip player_id='735875' first='Anthony' last='Dinapoli'], [player_tooltip player_id='402255' first='Carlos' last='Malespin'], QB [player_tooltip player_id='735876' first='Julian' last='Guzman'], EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='535645' first='Orion' last='Trujillo'], RB Kadin Hulling, WR [player_tooltip player_id='1624499' first='Joe' last='Wolf'], 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='741080' first='Austin' last='Farrell'], [player_tooltip player_id='939436' first='Eric' last='Camacho Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='741083' first='Joshua' last='Simmons'], [player_tooltip player_id='741084' first='Lamar' last='Lewis'], [player_tooltip player_id='741078' first='Mamadee' last='Sangaray'], [player_tooltip player_id='1365293' first='Mason' last='Materia'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1365123' first='Zander' last='Poole']</strong>. I predict a perfect <strong>9-0</strong> record for the Gaels in 2025. Iona Prep opens up in Albany at the Heroes Bowl against Somers who have won 29 straight games. Key wins for this season include <strong>Somers, Archbishop Stepinac, Kellenburg Memorial, Chaminade, Cardinal Hayes, and St. Anthony's.</strong> The Gaels are the top team in the state for a good reason and I expect a State Championship for Coach Spagnolo and Iona Prep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/new-rochelle/iona-prep-gaels/football/schedule">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/new-rochelle/iona-prep-gaels/football/schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->