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FiveBoroSports.com All-Staten Island football honors
By FiveBoroSports.com December 27, 2008
Aside from a select few teams, the Island virtually owned PSAL football. Curtis and Port Richmond each won its first eight games, with the Red Raiders going on to their first football city championship crown.
Susan Wagner needed to win on the last week of the regular season just to get in, and the Falcons ended up in the semifinals. New Dorp couldn’t even get in the top 16, yet dominated in the league’s second tier playoff system, winning the Bowl Division title in a walk. Tottenville started slow, but still found its way into the quarterfinals after upsetting No. 4 JFK in the opening round.
As for the CHSFL, it was a down year for Monsignor Farrell and Moore Catholic, but St. Joseph by the Sea had plenty of fine moments and with running backs Lyle McCombs and Andrew Armato returning, the future is bright. The same can be said for the borough as a whole. While PR may be down, ND and Wagner return two of the city’s best signal callers in Matt Popovic and Jordan Rodriguez. Plus, Curtis defensive end Dominique Easley is our early, early pick for All-City Player of the Year next December.
STATEN ISLAND PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Ramos, Port Richmond
Ramos wasn’t flashy or electric; he just got the job done. Whatever was needed – a long pass, first-down run, or big hit on defense – the two-way star did. His numbers – 2,036 total yards, 17 TD passes and eight rushing scores – were plenty dynamic. But it was his leadership qualities that brought it all together for the Red Raiders.
If a quarterback is ultimately judged by how often he gets his team in the end zone and his record, then nobody could’ve done better than Ramos. Port Richmond scored 476 points and went undefeated. As Fort Hamilton coach Vinny Laino said, Ramos “makes things happen when something is there and makes things happen when nothing is there.”
STATEN ISLAND COACH OF THE YEAR
Al Paturzo, Susan Wagner
There’s only one way to explain Wagner’s ascent from middle-of-the-road team to PSAL city championship contender. Somehow, the Falcons went from a team that was blown out, 40-22, by Tottenville in Week 5, from a team that needed a win on the final weekend of the season just to make it into the playoffs into a team that was in city semifinals.
Paturzo is the reason. The dean of coaches, in his 25th-year at the helm of Wagner, made adjustments, got back some key players from injury and almost snuck into the PSAL city championship game against Port Richmond. Only a last-minute scoring strike thrown by Frank Laino of Fort Hamilton stopped the Falcons. And had they made it, you better believe they would have given the Red Raiders a game.
After the semifinals loss, Paturzo addressed some comments made on Staten Island cable television about Wagner being back.
“We’ve been here,” Paturzo said, sprinkling in some colorful language in between. “We didn’t go anywhere.”
ALL-STATEN ISLAND FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Matt Popovic, New Dorp
He could hurt you with his arm; he could hurt you with his legs. But most of all, Popovic could beat you with his head. New Dorp missed the City Championship playoffs by a game, but not because of its intelligent, multi-faceted quarterback. The Central Cougars came back to win the Bowl Division title on his back. Popovic was 8-of-13 for 111 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 69 yards in the victory against Erasmus Hall.
RB Anthony Sama, Susan Wagner
Anyone doubting Sama’s worth just needs to watch a tape of his incredible performance against Clinton in the PSAL City Championship quarterfinals. Fighting through thick mud, the 5-foot-6 scat back rushed for 176 yards and four touchdowns. Coach Al Paturzo was worried about how his smallish back would do gaining traction on the muddy surface. Sama proved everyone wrong.
“We thought the field would be horrendous for him,” Paturzo said. “Shows you how much we know.”
RB Lyle McCombs, St. Joseph by the Sea
Most teams in the CHSFL had a premier back – Seamus Kelly at Xavier, Bruce Grant at Fordham Prep, Jeffrey Mack at Iona Prep and Maurice Easterling at Archbishop Stepinac to name a few. But what made St. Joseph by the Sea so difficult to handle was the double-barrel attack of McCombs, who rushed for 1,198 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Andrew Armato. And both are back next year.
RB Andrew Armato, St. Joseph by the Sea
Sea coach Greg Manos liked to share the touches for McCombs and Armato – thunder and lightning is their nickname. But it was Armato who ended up with 60 more carries, mostly because McCombs suffered an injury late in the season, and therefore was the Vikings leading rusher with 1,459 yards and 12 touchdowns.
RB Naykwan Johnson, Curtis
Don’t let Johnson get a head of steam, because when he does he’s almost impossible to stop. The hard-running senior made it almost seem like he was running downhill at times. Johnson almost made Warriors fans forget about the exploits of Shaahiyn Alston. He was second among Level 5 backs in rushing with 1,275 yards.
RB Tremaine Wilson, Tottenville
For pure explosiveness, there might not have been a better back this side of Torian Phillips. Wilson rushed for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Pirates, which upset Kennedy in the PSAL City Championship playoffs first round.
OL Colin Ukeje, Port Richmond
The Red Raiders’ offense was known for their explosiveness, but that wouldn’t have been possible if not for a stout offensive line, keyed by Ukeje, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound two-year starter at offensive tackle.
OL Matt Molinari, St. Peter’s
The Eagles had the fifth-highest scoring offense in the AA-A this year and there were plenty of options, including Hakim Rice, Dan Ford, Dan Fischetti and quarterback John Woodford. But one of the unsung guys, one of the biggest reasons (and we don’t just mean because he’s 5-foot-8, 245 pounds) was Molinari, one of the top offensive linesmen in the AA-A.
WR Dan Ford, St. Peter’s
Dan Ford is listed as a wide receiver/free safety on the St. Peter’s roster, but it could have just as easily been known as playmaker. The senior was the second leading receiver in the CHSFL AA-A with 18 receptions for 558 yards and a league-best seven touchdowns. The senior was also a handful on the defensive side of the ball.
WR Anthony Evangelista, Monsignor Farrell
It was an unusually down year at Monsignor Farrell, a perennial powerhouse in the CHSFL, but Evangelista quietly shined through the adversity. The senior had 42 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns for the Lions.
WR: Zamel Johnson, Port Richmond
He stood just 5-foot-9, but the senior’s lack of height didn’t stop him from out-leaping defensive backs. His vertical allowed him to win jumps balls and his speed made sure he got there. Give Johnson, who was also sensational at cornerback, a step and he was gone. While Jeremy Ramos was the Red Raiders’ rock and Torian Phillips their go-to guy, Johnson was the x-factor, the player the opposition couldn’t afford to double-team and often paid for dearly. Johnson scored 11 touchdowns and had 35 receptions for 788 yards.
ALL-STATEN ISLAND FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Dominique Easley, Curtis
Easley is so good that his absence might have single-handedly changed the course of the 2008 PSAL season. If the stud defensive end played against Beach Channel in the opening round of the PSAL City Championship, maybe the Dolphins wouldn’t have handed Curtis a shocking, 8-0 defeat. Easley meant that much to the Warriors. Luckily for coach Pete Gambardella, the junior will be back to wreak havoc on the league again next year.
DL Antoine McGriff, Port Richmond
Port Richmond’s perfect season wouldn’t have been possible if not for its play at the line of scrimmage. There was no player that was more influential than the 6-foot-3, 265-pound McGriff. He was best known for clogging up the middle, but he could also get to the quarterback, as his four sacks and 46 tackles demonstrate.
DL Henry Dingman, Monsignor Farrell
The 6-foot, 225-pound lineman excelled for the Lions in what was a down year. He was one of the players Farrell looked to in tight spots and he often delivered.
LB Nick Gentile, Tottenville
Sure, All-Star games don’t mean much, but Gentile was impressive in the annual Fugazzi Bowl with two sacks. Of course, that came natural to the senior. Gentile was second among Level 5 players with eight sacks on the season. He was Tottenville’s best defender, an impact player on every play.
DL Sean Johnson, Port Richmond
The pass-rushing specialist was known for getting to the quarterback. He finished the year with seven sacks, but Johnson was also adept at covering backs and tight ends, compiling 59 tackles.
LB Avery Wright, Curtis
There’s only one word to describe the Warriors’ defense: fearsome. Wright was a big part of that intimidation factor. Commuters waiting for the Staten Island Ferry could probably hear his tackles on unsuspecting running backs and wide receivers.
LB Vincent Urkonis, Susan Wagner
Urkonis had a great season, finishing with 64 tackles. But he came up biggest when Wagner needed him most. In the PSAL City Championship quarterfinals against Clinton, Urkonis helped lock up Governors fullback Onell Dishmey and spied running quarterback Peter Goodman. Both had one of their worst games of the season and Urkonis also added an interception.
“He was just outstanding,” Wagner coach Al Paturzo said.
DB Ted Clohessy, St. Joseph by the Sea
Andrew Armato and Lyle McCombs received a lion’s share of the attention when it came to St. Joseph by the Sea, and for good reason. After all they combined for more than 2,600 yards on the ground. But Clohessy was the team’s heartbeat. He played a variety of positions on defense, from linebacker to safety and defensive back, and he excelled in each of them. And when McCombs went down with a high ankle sprain late in the season, Clohessy picked up the slack in the offensive backfield.
DB Kobie Hamm, Susan Wagner
There wasn’t a player on a Level 5 team with more interceptions than Hamm, Wagner’s excellent senior. In nine regular season games, he had nine picks. How’s that for consistency?
DB James Pon Pon, Curtis
He did just about everything for Curtis, whether it be returning kicks, making extra points or swatting away balls in the secondary. The junior was injured in the playoffs and had he been fully healthy an 8-0 loss to Beach Channel might have never occurred.
DB Nick Gonzalez, Moore Catholic
There wasn’t a better defense in CHSFL Class AA-A and Gonzalez must take a lot of the credit. The 5-foot-8, 168-pound senior didn’t have oodles of interceptions, but when needed he was there.
ALL-STATEN ISLAND HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
QB Xzaviah Stone, Curtis
OL Greg Brown, Curtis
OL Tom Alia, St. Joseph by the Sea
OL Mike Morano, St. Joseph by the Sea
OL Richard Barisciano, Port Richmond
RB Marco Boshnack, Monsignor Farrell
RB Tommy Todaro, Moore Catholic
WR Erik Heedles, New Dorp
WR Elijah Bratcher, New Dorp
DEFENSE
DL Thomas Lociano, New Dorp
DL Adeyemi Juxon-Smith, Port Richmond
DL Stephen Favale, St. Joseph by the Sea
LB James Timmins, Curtis
LB Frank Zerbo, Port Richmond
DB Jonathan Hernandez, Port Richmond
Susan Wagner needed to win on the last week of the regular season just to get in, and the Falcons ended up in the semifinals. New Dorp couldn’t even get in the top 16, yet dominated in the league’s second tier playoff system, winning the Bowl Division title in a walk. Tottenville started slow, but still found its way into the quarterfinals after upsetting No. 4 JFK in the opening round.
As for the CHSFL, it was a down year for Monsignor Farrell and Moore Catholic, but St. Joseph by the Sea had plenty of fine moments and with running backs Lyle McCombs and Andrew Armato returning, the future is bright. The same can be said for the borough as a whole. While PR may be down, ND and Wagner return two of the city’s best signal callers in Matt Popovic and Jordan Rodriguez. Plus, Curtis defensive end Dominique Easley is our early, early pick for All-City Player of the Year next December.
STATEN ISLAND PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Ramos, Port Richmond
Ramos wasn’t flashy or electric; he just got the job done. Whatever was needed – a long pass, first-down run, or big hit on defense – the two-way star did. His numbers – 2,036 total yards, 17 TD passes and eight rushing scores – were plenty dynamic. But it was his leadership qualities that brought it all together for the Red Raiders.
If a quarterback is ultimately judged by how often he gets his team in the end zone and his record, then nobody could’ve done better than Ramos. Port Richmond scored 476 points and went undefeated. As Fort Hamilton coach Vinny Laino said, Ramos “makes things happen when something is there and makes things happen when nothing is there.”
STATEN ISLAND COACH OF THE YEAR
Al Paturzo, Susan Wagner
There’s only one way to explain Wagner’s ascent from middle-of-the-road team to PSAL city championship contender. Somehow, the Falcons went from a team that was blown out, 40-22, by Tottenville in Week 5, from a team that needed a win on the final weekend of the season just to make it into the playoffs into a team that was in city semifinals.
Paturzo is the reason. The dean of coaches, in his 25th-year at the helm of Wagner, made adjustments, got back some key players from injury and almost snuck into the PSAL city championship game against Port Richmond. Only a last-minute scoring strike thrown by Frank Laino of Fort Hamilton stopped the Falcons. And had they made it, you better believe they would have given the Red Raiders a game.
After the semifinals loss, Paturzo addressed some comments made on Staten Island cable television about Wagner being back.
“We’ve been here,” Paturzo said, sprinkling in some colorful language in between. “We didn’t go anywhere.”
ALL-STATEN ISLAND FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB Matt Popovic, New Dorp
He could hurt you with his arm; he could hurt you with his legs. But most of all, Popovic could beat you with his head. New Dorp missed the City Championship playoffs by a game, but not because of its intelligent, multi-faceted quarterback. The Central Cougars came back to win the Bowl Division title on his back. Popovic was 8-of-13 for 111 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 69 yards in the victory against Erasmus Hall.
RB Anthony Sama, Susan Wagner
Anyone doubting Sama’s worth just needs to watch a tape of his incredible performance against Clinton in the PSAL City Championship quarterfinals. Fighting through thick mud, the 5-foot-6 scat back rushed for 176 yards and four touchdowns. Coach Al Paturzo was worried about how his smallish back would do gaining traction on the muddy surface. Sama proved everyone wrong.
“We thought the field would be horrendous for him,” Paturzo said. “Shows you how much we know.”
RB Lyle McCombs, St. Joseph by the Sea
Most teams in the CHSFL had a premier back – Seamus Kelly at Xavier, Bruce Grant at Fordham Prep, Jeffrey Mack at Iona Prep and Maurice Easterling at Archbishop Stepinac to name a few. But what made St. Joseph by the Sea so difficult to handle was the double-barrel attack of McCombs, who rushed for 1,198 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Andrew Armato. And both are back next year.
RB Andrew Armato, St. Joseph by the Sea
Sea coach Greg Manos liked to share the touches for McCombs and Armato – thunder and lightning is their nickname. But it was Armato who ended up with 60 more carries, mostly because McCombs suffered an injury late in the season, and therefore was the Vikings leading rusher with 1,459 yards and 12 touchdowns.
RB Naykwan Johnson, Curtis
Don’t let Johnson get a head of steam, because when he does he’s almost impossible to stop. The hard-running senior made it almost seem like he was running downhill at times. Johnson almost made Warriors fans forget about the exploits of Shaahiyn Alston. He was second among Level 5 backs in rushing with 1,275 yards.
RB Tremaine Wilson, Tottenville
For pure explosiveness, there might not have been a better back this side of Torian Phillips. Wilson rushed for 1,032 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Pirates, which upset Kennedy in the PSAL City Championship playoffs first round.
OL Colin Ukeje, Port Richmond
The Red Raiders’ offense was known for their explosiveness, but that wouldn’t have been possible if not for a stout offensive line, keyed by Ukeje, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound two-year starter at offensive tackle.
OL Matt Molinari, St. Peter’s
The Eagles had the fifth-highest scoring offense in the AA-A this year and there were plenty of options, including Hakim Rice, Dan Ford, Dan Fischetti and quarterback John Woodford. But one of the unsung guys, one of the biggest reasons (and we don’t just mean because he’s 5-foot-8, 245 pounds) was Molinari, one of the top offensive linesmen in the AA-A.
WR Dan Ford, St. Peter’s
Dan Ford is listed as a wide receiver/free safety on the St. Peter’s roster, but it could have just as easily been known as playmaker. The senior was the second leading receiver in the CHSFL AA-A with 18 receptions for 558 yards and a league-best seven touchdowns. The senior was also a handful on the defensive side of the ball.
WR Anthony Evangelista, Monsignor Farrell
It was an unusually down year at Monsignor Farrell, a perennial powerhouse in the CHSFL, but Evangelista quietly shined through the adversity. The senior had 42 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns for the Lions.
WR: Zamel Johnson, Port Richmond
He stood just 5-foot-9, but the senior’s lack of height didn’t stop him from out-leaping defensive backs. His vertical allowed him to win jumps balls and his speed made sure he got there. Give Johnson, who was also sensational at cornerback, a step and he was gone. While Jeremy Ramos was the Red Raiders’ rock and Torian Phillips their go-to guy, Johnson was the x-factor, the player the opposition couldn’t afford to double-team and often paid for dearly. Johnson scored 11 touchdowns and had 35 receptions for 788 yards.
ALL-STATEN ISLAND FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL Dominique Easley, Curtis
Easley is so good that his absence might have single-handedly changed the course of the 2008 PSAL season. If the stud defensive end played against Beach Channel in the opening round of the PSAL City Championship, maybe the Dolphins wouldn’t have handed Curtis a shocking, 8-0 defeat. Easley meant that much to the Warriors. Luckily for coach Pete Gambardella, the junior will be back to wreak havoc on the league again next year.
DL Antoine McGriff, Port Richmond
Port Richmond’s perfect season wouldn’t have been possible if not for its play at the line of scrimmage. There was no player that was more influential than the 6-foot-3, 265-pound McGriff. He was best known for clogging up the middle, but he could also get to the quarterback, as his four sacks and 46 tackles demonstrate.
DL Henry Dingman, Monsignor Farrell
The 6-foot, 225-pound lineman excelled for the Lions in what was a down year. He was one of the players Farrell looked to in tight spots and he often delivered.
LB Nick Gentile, Tottenville
Sure, All-Star games don’t mean much, but Gentile was impressive in the annual Fugazzi Bowl with two sacks. Of course, that came natural to the senior. Gentile was second among Level 5 players with eight sacks on the season. He was Tottenville’s best defender, an impact player on every play.
DL Sean Johnson, Port Richmond
The pass-rushing specialist was known for getting to the quarterback. He finished the year with seven sacks, but Johnson was also adept at covering backs and tight ends, compiling 59 tackles.
LB Avery Wright, Curtis
There’s only one word to describe the Warriors’ defense: fearsome. Wright was a big part of that intimidation factor. Commuters waiting for the Staten Island Ferry could probably hear his tackles on unsuspecting running backs and wide receivers.
LB Vincent Urkonis, Susan Wagner
Urkonis had a great season, finishing with 64 tackles. But he came up biggest when Wagner needed him most. In the PSAL City Championship quarterfinals against Clinton, Urkonis helped lock up Governors fullback Onell Dishmey and spied running quarterback Peter Goodman. Both had one of their worst games of the season and Urkonis also added an interception.
“He was just outstanding,” Wagner coach Al Paturzo said.
DB Ted Clohessy, St. Joseph by the Sea
Andrew Armato and Lyle McCombs received a lion’s share of the attention when it came to St. Joseph by the Sea, and for good reason. After all they combined for more than 2,600 yards on the ground. But Clohessy was the team’s heartbeat. He played a variety of positions on defense, from linebacker to safety and defensive back, and he excelled in each of them. And when McCombs went down with a high ankle sprain late in the season, Clohessy picked up the slack in the offensive backfield.
DB Kobie Hamm, Susan Wagner
There wasn’t a player on a Level 5 team with more interceptions than Hamm, Wagner’s excellent senior. In nine regular season games, he had nine picks. How’s that for consistency?
DB James Pon Pon, Curtis
He did just about everything for Curtis, whether it be returning kicks, making extra points or swatting away balls in the secondary. The junior was injured in the playoffs and had he been fully healthy an 8-0 loss to Beach Channel might have never occurred.
DB Nick Gonzalez, Moore Catholic
There wasn’t a better defense in CHSFL Class AA-A and Gonzalez must take a lot of the credit. The 5-foot-8, 168-pound senior didn’t have oodles of interceptions, but when needed he was there.
ALL-STATEN ISLAND HONORABLE MENTION
OFFENSE
QB Xzaviah Stone, Curtis
OL Greg Brown, Curtis
OL Tom Alia, St. Joseph by the Sea
OL Mike Morano, St. Joseph by the Sea
OL Richard Barisciano, Port Richmond
RB Marco Boshnack, Monsignor Farrell
RB Tommy Todaro, Moore Catholic
WR Erik Heedles, New Dorp
WR Elijah Bratcher, New Dorp
DEFENSE
DL Thomas Lociano, New Dorp
DL Adeyemi Juxon-Smith, Port Richmond
DL Stephen Favale, St. Joseph by the Sea
LB James Timmins, Curtis
LB Frank Zerbo, Port Richmond
DB Jonathan Hernandez, Port Richmond
FiveBoroSports.com All-City and All-Boro football honorees this week
Wednesday: Bronx/Manhattan
Thursday: Queens
Friday: Brooklyn and Staten Island
Saturday: All-City
*A player cannot be an All-Boro Player of the Year and the All-City Player of the Year
fiveborosports@gmail.com