As we’ve been mentioning all week, High School Football America is expanding its high school football coverage in New York City with the help of former St. Peter’s (Staten Island) head coach Mark DeCristoforo who’s become a contributor for us.
Related: High School Football America New York State Top 10
Related: High School Football America NYC Top 10
As most of you know, High School Football America only does rankings based on its proprietary algorithm. However, we thought it would be fun to allow Coach to produce an opinion poll.
Below you find his NYC Top 5, which he based on his Strength of Schedule Rating:
Coach DeCristoforo’s NYC Top 5
No. 1 Monsignor Farrell (4-0)
Reasoning: Victories over LaSalle (Rhode Island), Christ the King, Chaminade, and Cardinal Hayes gives them the same 4 – 0 record as the Top 3, but a drastically tougher strength of schedule. All four of their wins have come against top tier teams.
No. 2 Tottenville (4 – 0)
Reasoning: The Pirates have only played 3 games. One of their wins was a forfeit so having them in front of South Shore is a bit unfair. They have only on win versus a top tier opponent (Lincoln), but from what I’ve seen with my own eyes they are better than South Shore and this will get sorted out Friday.
No. 3 South Shore (4 – 0)
Reasoning: I have no problem putting the Vikings at #3 based on the fact that they have won four games as opposed to three on the field, but they too only have only one win versus a top tier team (Erasmus Hall). Again, this will sort itself out on Friday.
No. 4 Cardinal Hayes – (0 – 2)
Hayes is the most talented team in the 5 Boroughs and will be a force in November. I have seen them twice and know they would most likely beat any of the teams in NYC once they get rolling. Their two losses are against my #1 team on the road and Iona Prep who is #2 in the High School Football America New York Top 10 state rankings. They’ve lost those two games by a total of five points and have played no where close to their best. However, at some point potential has to turn into wins and if they don’t beat my #5 team this week, they will have to make room for someone else on my poll.
No. 5 Christ the King – (1-3)
Reasoning: TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN NYC
Now let me clarify strength of schedule…
- St. Frances Academy (Maryland) LOSS – this is the best team that anyone in NYC played this year.
- Monsignor Farrell – LOSS – to the #1 team in the city, so you lose no ground.St. Anthony’s (Long Island) – LOSS – to the #1 team in the STATE, you lose LESS ground.
- Chaminade (Long Island) – WIN – 3A Catholic team.
- Vs. HAYES this week for a spot on this poll next week.
by Mark DeCristoforo
Former St. Peter’s Head Coach
Follow @DeCristoforoFo1
