There weren’t many surprises in the opening round of the Public Schools Athletic League’s varsity football playoffs, but we’re just getting started. The second round kicks off on Sunday, November 18 with four fantastic match-ups. Here’s a preview of the next round in the PSAL’s Championship Division playoffs.
No. 1 Erasmus Hall Dutchmen vs. No. 11 Sheepshead Bay Sharks The Dutchmen (9-0), who made it last year’s title game, opened the playoffs by dumping 2010 Bowl champion and No. 16 Truman, 33-6. They boast the most explosive backfield in the city with Curtis Samuel and Kahlil Lewin. They rushed for a combined 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns in the regular season. But the defensive-minded Sharks, who in the first round upset No. 6 Thomas Jefferson, 21-14, haven’t allowed more than two touchdowns in a game since week three. Sheepshead (6-4), the only lower seed to win in the first round, has won five of its last six games.
No. 2 Tottenville Pirates vs. No. 8 Brooklyn Tech Engineers Andre Darnt, who filled in for Syracuse-bound Augustus Edwards, ran for 147 yards and a touchdown, as the Pirates (8-1) clobbered No. 15 New Dorp, 28-0, in round one. Edwards and star receiver Malique Belfort are out for the rest of the playoffs for violating team rules, but Tottenville’s hard-hitting defense is still around — it held ND to 76 yards of total offense. Experienced Brooklyn Tech (7-2) crushed No. 9 John F. Kennedy, 36-0, in round one. James Gales, who rushed for a PSAL second-best 1,059 yards during the regular season, had 159 yards and a pair of TDs against JFK.
No. 3 Boys & Girls Kangaroos vs. No. 7 Curtis Warriors In the opening round, the Kangaroos (8-1) bounced No. 14 Flushing, 28-6, behind running back Najee Champagne. He collected 212 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. Moreover, the Kangaroos held the Red Devils to 49 yards of total offense. For Curtis (6-3), running back Kevin Austin carried the load against No. 10 New Utrecht in round one. He rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns, as the Warriors prevailed, 22-20. Boys defeated Curtis, 40-12, in the opening weekend of last season.
No. 4 Lincoln Railsplitters vs. No. 5 Port Richmond Red Raiders
Defending city champion Lincoln (7-2) played the part in the opening round, slamming No. 13 Campus Magnet, 44-14. Javon Moore and Leroy Hancle each rushed for a pair of touchdowns, but watch out for Antoine Holloman Jr., who led the league with 1,067 rushing yards. Port Richmond (7-2) reached the second round with a 38-6 victory over No. 12 Beach Channel. Michael Goffredo tossed a touchdown and ran for another in the victory. But the Railsplitters will be a tough out. They have reached the city title game two years in a row and have lost only two games this season (each by one point).
* All games will begin at 12:00 p.m. and be hosted by the higher seeds. Port Richmond-Lincoln will be played at Lafayette Educational Complex (2630 Benson Avenue in Brooklyn, NY).
Adam Martini is a freelance sports writer who has reported on New York City high school sports since 2000. He has covered high school basketball, baseball, football and soccer, and prep championship games at Madison Square Garden, Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium.
