New York’s Catholic High School Football League may be underrated on the national scene, but there’s no doubt that Saturday’s 72nd showdown between Archbishop Stepinac and Iona Prep needs no hype. The Crusaders of Stepanic enter the game ranked No. 1 in the High School Football America New York Top 10, followed by the Gaels at No. 2. These two schools that are about five miles apart have been battling since 1950.
Stepinac, under the direction of head coach Mike O’Donnell who’s been the schools head coach for 32 years, has won the last two New York Catholic State Championships. They’ve also have won three of the last four state titles.
Below you can listen to today’s interview with Coach O’Donnell.
Podcast with Stepinac’s Mike O’Donnell
Iona Prep leads the all-time series 40 wins to 31. Below are all of the games in the series.
Iona vs. Stepinac All-Time Series
1950: Stepinac, 30-13
1951: Stepinac, 24-19
1952: Stepinac, 26-21
1953: Iona Prep, 34-6
1954: Iona Prep, 20-6
1955: Stepinac, 31-7
1956: Stepinac, 25-14
1957: Stepinac, 26-14
1958: Stepinac, 38-8
1959: Stepinac, 22-0
1960: Stepinac, 36-34
1961: Stepinac, 26-12
1962: Stepinac, 44-0
1963: Stepinac, 28-26
1964: Stepinac, 14-6
1965: Iona Prep, 16-14
1966: Stepinac, 40-0
1967: Iona Prep, 22-15
1968: Iona Prep, 16-0
1969: Iona Prep, 26-8
1970: Iona Prep, 26-12
1971: Iona Prep, 28-14
1972: Iona Prep, 25-14
1973: Stepinac, 11-0
1974: Iona Prep, 38-6
1975: Iona Prep, 14-0
1976: Stepinac, 14-8
1977: Iona Prep, 31-22
1978: Stepinac, 20-7
1979: Iona Prep, 6-0
1980: Stepinac, 13-6
1981: Iona Prep, 28-6
1982: Iona Prep, 12-7
1983: Stepinac, 24-0
1984: Stepinac, 16-13
1985: Iona Prep, 26-7
1986: Iona Prep, 18-7
1987: Iona Prep, 13-7
1988: Iona Prep, 27-12
1989: Iona Prep, 35-6
1990: Iona Prep, 27-14
1991: Stepinac, 20-7
1992: Iona Prep, 33-12
1993: Iona Prep, 35-0
1993: Iona Prep, 13-0 (A championship)
1994: Iona Prep, 28-7
1995: Iona Prep, 33-14
1996: Iona Prep, 34-16
1997: Iona Prep, 16-12
1998: Iona Prep, 47-14
1999: Iona Prep, 28-7
2000: Iona Prep, 21-14
2001: Stepinac, 23-0
2002: Stepinac, 23-6
2003: Iona Prep, 23-20
2004: Iona Prep, 27-0
2005: Iona Prep, 34-6
2006: Iona Prep, 54-21
2007: Iona Prep, 20-6
2008: Iona Prep, 35-20
2009: Did Not Play
2010: Stepinac, 23-6
2011: Iona Prep, 30-17
2012: Iona Prep, 42-14
2013: Iona Prep, 40-14
2013: Stepinac, 10-7 (AAA quarterfinals)
2014: Stepinac, 35-19
2014: Stepinac, 16-14 (AAA championship)
2015: Stepinac, 48-6
2016: Stepanic, 42-34
2017: Iona Prep, 38-34
2018: Iona Prep, 36-34 (OT)
2018: Stepanic, 37-26 (AAA Semifinals)
