Final Power Rankings: 5-1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My Top Ten Power Rankings across the state of New York, will incorporate teams from every area of the state. The power rankings will be based off of level of competition, performance over the week, and a little mix of record, and past seasonal performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone's Winter Showcase is back for 2025 with more locations than ever. Looking to attend? Register&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">here</a>. Save a few dollars off the cost of registration by using my special promo code,&nbsp;<strong>LemerWinterPRZ</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow me on&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">Twitter</a>&nbsp;@<a href="https://x.com/PRZcory">PRZCory</a>&nbsp;for the latest New York high school football prospect news and not miss a beat!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Rye (Last Week, 5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Garnets, are the best team across Section One. This weekend, we see the Garnets face off against Somers for the second time this season. This time, the winner becomes the Class A Champion, and will likely be taking a trip to Syracuse in December. I like this Rye team, and their balanced attack of passing with [player_tooltip player_id='1229592' first='Carson' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='1529592' first='Henry' last='Shoemaker'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1992539' first='Sebastian' last='Lewis'] can take the top off the defense, while their rushing attack with Charlie Garnett, can leave LB's trying to catch up. Level of competition was my only question for Rye this season, but throughout the season, and playoffs they have proven to be the top team in the area, and with their star power and undefeated record, they will finish the season, as my #5 ranked team in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. St. Anthony's (Last Week, 4)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Friars, are one of three Catholic League teams I have in the top five. The season has seen tons of upside potential for St. Anthony's and they have played some of the top teams on the East Coast. The Friars, sit at 7-4, which is typically not a record for a top four team; however, when we look at their schedule, all four of their losses have come against top teams in their state. McDonough, and Don Bosco, are top teams in NJ, and MD, while the two in-state loses come at the hands of Monsignor Farrell and Iona Prep, who are both top teams in NY. I like the strength of schedule the Friars played this season, and they have a big time playoff matchup this weekend, as they face Iona Prep for a chance to play for the AAA Catholic League Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. St. Francis (Last Week, 2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lone team from Western NY, the Red Raiders slide in as the third best team in the state. Last week, they sat at #2 and slide down on spot. The reasoning there, is my belief that the team ranked #2 is a step better than the Red Raiders. Finishing the season 8-1, they suffered one loss to Catholic Memorial, who is one of the top teams in Massachusetts. In Monsignor Martin play, the Red Raiders were undefeated this season, and had key wins against Canisius, Saint Joesph Collegiate, and Bishop Timon St.Jude. The offense is electric, with Trent Battles, [player_tooltip player_id='1345135' first='Amir' last='Hernandez'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1202404' first='Tyrone' last='Clark Jr'], leading them to a top three spot in my final Power Rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Iona Prep (Last Week, 3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Spagnolo, and the Gaels once again have one of the top teams in the state this season. Iona Prep, has carved through Catholic League play, and finished the season with a lone loss, in a four quarter game against Monsignor Farrell. The Gaels started the playoffs as the #2 seed, earning a bye in the first round. This week, they have a huge Semi-Final game, against St.Anthony's, and will look to advance to a Second Straight Catholic League Championship. The Gaels are extremely talented, with guys like Josh Simmons, [player_tooltip player_id='735876' first='Julian' last='Guzman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1001144' first='Crew' last='Davis'], led this squad to an 8-1 record, and the second spot in my final edition of the Power Rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Monsignor Farrell (Last Week, 1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There it is folks the Lions of Monsignor Farrell, are my number one team in NY. The lions have had an impressive season, with big time wins over Iona Prep, Chaminade, and St. Anthony's. This week they kick of the playoffs with a Semi-Finals match, against Chaminade, with the winner earning a trip to the AAA Championship game. If you told me the Lions would be the top team in the state I would have been shocked before the season, but the trio of [player_tooltip player_id='805722' first='Kevin' last='Gumb Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='1278754' first='Braxton' last='Moye'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1283757' first='Bryce' last='Moye'] have been electric for Farrell, and Coach RDP is one of the best there is in the state. The combination of fire power, their record sitting at 8-1, and their key wins, prove their worth as the top team in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->