PRZNY Team Previews: Xavier Knights

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season: (7-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Xavier made the AA-1 semifinals last year before falling to top-seed Moore Catholic. The Knights finished their season with a heartbreaking loss to rival Fordham Prep, as they came up just short in the 100th Turkey Bowl. Xavier still had 7 wins including 5 straight throughout October and early November. They defeated eventual AA champs St John The Baptist and had a playoff win over St Joseph by The Sea during that run. </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":["1213076"],"_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-66ca648aa1ccb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tarozzi is one of the top players in this league regardless of classification. Tarozzi has the measurables and is a flat-out gamer. He's listed at 6'3 and 215 pounds and has incredible athleticism. During his junior year, he put himself on the map as one of the top defensive players in the city. He was easily one of the hardest hitters I saw throughout last year and he is already one of the favorites for defensive player of the year in the AA-1 this upcoming season. Don't be surprised if FBS schools are drawn to Tarozzi after this year, he's currently committed to Brown.</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":["1283608"],"_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-66ca648aa1d56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lent is gaining college recognition this offseason. He has three Division 3 offers under his belt so far and there will be more to come. Lent is listed at 6'3 and 230 pounds and he plays a pivotal role for this Xavier offense. Lent was one of the reasons why this Knights run game had success. He was a phenomenal blocker, as his strength and speed allowed him to make great blocks upfield and open space for the Knights ball carriers. This year Xavier is expected to pass the ball more and Lent will be a huge factor in the receiving game with his size, hands and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nicolas Sun","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Xavier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ca648aa1e51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Xavier will need to be great in trenches and that's where the importance of seniors like Nicolas Sun come into play. He isn't the biggest lineman but he brings that old school physical mentality when he steps out onto the field. He is an on the field leader for the Knights and brings experience to the Knights offensive line. He is a Division 1 Rugby prospect and is a returning starter on this offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1406258' first='Jerry' last='Kuharski']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Xavier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ca648aa1f27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Kuharski was one of the top offensive players for a Knights team that saw a solid amount of success. He was one of their primary runners in a heavy run offense that they had. He displayed excellent vision and had great instincts as a ball carrier. Kuharski was great in space and made a good amount of plays to get this offense rolling. He's been garnering attention from Division 3 schools and that should continue after his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1283896"],"_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-66ca648aa1f84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the leaders for this Xavier secondary. In the second half of last season, Lambert was excellent for this Knights defense. He made some incredible plays against top AA programs like Moore, St John's and Fordham Prep. He had an interception in the Turkey Bowl and made some great plays in pass coverage during his 6 game junior season. Lambert is a track star with a ton of raw talent and loads of potential to have a huge senior 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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Peter Heaney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Xavier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ca648aa2027"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Xavier will be throwing the ball more than years past and Peter Heaney will be the one slinging it. He showed off his arm talent at the JV level and he was a big reason why the Knights won a AA junior varsity title. Heaney has the tools to run this offense and be a leader for the Knights. He is a dual threat QB, as he displayed how slippery and explosive he is as a runner. </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>Hanaiu Nelson</td><td>2025</td><td>DL</td><td>Athletic and tough defensive end brings the energy <br></td></tr><tr><td>Joe Giambra</td><td>2025</td><td>OL</td><td>Starter on the offensive line, great offseason</td></tr><tr><td>Josh Paduani</td><td>2025</td><td>ATH</td><td>Great junior year, will play the slot</td></tr><tr><td>Max Wyckoff</td><td>2025</td><td>LB</td><td>Inside linebacker, D1 Rugby prospect, high IQ</td></tr><tr><td>Anthony Nemr</td><td>2025</td><td>DL</td><td>Solid defensive end prospect</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1619072' first='Elijah' last='Stewart']</td><td>2026</td><td>ATH</td><td>Explosive athlete, could make an impact on both sides of the ball</td></tr><tr><td>Petey Franchock</td><td>2026</td><td>DB</td><td>Starter on varsity basketball as a sophomore, impactful on JV football</td></tr><tr><td>Robert Milacci</td><td>2026</td><td>LB</td><td>Another solid 2026 prospect that will make an impact</td></tr><tr><td>Gianni Juedy</td><td>2026</td><td>DL</td><td>Explosive d lineman, an important piece in the trenches</td></tr><tr><td>Liam Averill</td><td>2026</td><td>TE/WR</td><td>Great rugby player, has amazing size, lot of potential as a receiver</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>Mehdi Merah- Stony Brook Rugby </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michael Mioduszewski- Notre Dame Rugby&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joseph Dellavecchia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tomas Diaz- Bates </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benedetto Loria- Indiana Rugby </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sean Kull</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/new-york/xavier-knights/football/schedule/">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/new-york/xavier-knights/football/schedule/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Season Outlook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier starts off their schedule with an August 30th battle against Xaverian. They follow it up with a playoff rematch on the road at Moore Catholic. The Knights take on a slate of AA-1 and AA-2 teams like Holy Cross, Holy Trinity, and many more. Xavier will also have tall tasks against AAA opposition within Chaminade and St Anthony's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><br>3 Things Going for the Knights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New beginnings: Dominic DeFalco has now taken over as head coach for Xavier and he is doing some exciting things for the program. The Knights have been putting together a successful offseason and they will have a little bit of a new look. While they will still be running their base offense, the Knights are expected to pass the ball more and be more versatile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JV Championship Team coming up: The Xavier Junior Varsity team was dominant last year. They played in the AA division alongside other great teams and they came away with the league title. They ended off their season on a long win streak and the 2026 prospects I mentioned above are expected to make a great impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classic Physical and Fast defense: It's no secret, the Knights aren't the flashiest team in this league. But what Xavier does, is they will play good sound defense. The Knights seem to have that luxury again, as they have many physical players who can get to the ball quickly. They will rely on their defense to keep them in games against some of the top teams in the state this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1 Area of Concern </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive production level: Last year almost all of Xavier's production came on the ground. The four primary ball carriers combined for 2,655 yards and 34 touchdowns. But All-State running back Mehdi Merah and senior Sean Kull were responsible for 1,729 yards and 25 touchdowns. With those players gone, it'll be interesting to see if they can surpass their offensive production from a year ago as they will need to do that to make a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier has a superstar linebacker within [player_tooltip player_id='1213076' first='Evan' last='Tarozzi'] and a new-look offense with great potential. The Knights will be good defensively, as they return quality pieces in the front seven and the secondary. Xavier's 2026 class is an exciting one to watch after having a ton of success at the junior varsity level. They lose more offensive production compared to other AA teams like Moore and St Peter's, but if the Knight's younger players step up there's no reason they can't find themselves in the semi-finals again with an opportunity to make a surprising run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->