St. Anthony's is the No. 1 team in the Empire State. But watch for Rush-Henrietta, Aquinas Institute, Orchard Park and Maine-Endwell.
St. Anthony's has plenty of reason to be happy, as it's the top-ranked team in the state this season.
Photo by Kevin Yen
10-0
Head coach: Rich Reichert
Team previewSt. Anthony's begins the season as the top-ranked team in New York. The Long Island powerhouse returns its leading rusher in
Anthony Anderson. The Friars did graduate their three leading tacklers from a year ago, so they will need to retool defensively. St. Anthony's will play its toughest game in years with a matchup against nationally ranked Bergen Catholic. A win would bolster the argument by St. Anthony's fans that New York’s top teams can compete with New Jersey’s best. St. Anthony's tops our list of
New York's Top 10 most consistent football programs.
2. Rush-Henrietta (Henrietta)2011 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Joe Montesano
Team previewEven without Derick Peters, Rush-Henrietta will still be explosive in the ground game.
Chauncey Scissum is as effective running as he is throwing, as he comes off a year in which he accounted for more than 1,700 total yards.
Bay Barley and
Chancellor Harris each rushed for more than 400 yards last season and should be even more effective this fall. Rush-Henrietta will need to replace one player from the list of
New York Class of 2012 players to sign with Division 1 football programs.
3. Aquinas Institute (Rochester)2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Chris Battaglia
Team previewThe juggernaut from Rochester brings back a key weapon from last year’s team in running back
Billy Lombardi. With receivers Taylor Byrne and Jahmahl Pardner both graduated, watch for junior
Alonzo Turney to emerge with a bigger role in the offense. The likely starter is much-ballyhooed freshman
Jake Zembiec, whose ceiling appears very high. Aquinas Institute tops our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 New York football dynasties.
4. Orchard Park2011 finish: 13-0
Head coach: Gene Tundo
Team previewSome key offensive pieces are absent this season, as Orchard Park will be without running back Okoya Anderson and receiver Ben Anderson.
Benjamin Holmes, who lined up at receiver last season, may take over behind center. The strength of this team figures to once again be the offensive line, led by 6-foot-4
Michael Senn. You can find Orchard Park numerous times on our list of
New York state football champions over the past 10 years.
5. Maine-Endwell (Endwell)2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Matt Gallagher
Team previewMaine-Endwell was outstanding last year, rolling to a 12-0 record and a Class A title. It moves to Class B this season, where it will contend for another title. Running back
Nick Sorrenti, who carried the team in the finals against Burnt Hills, is back. The All-State selection will also line up at linebacker.
Luis Uceta, a second team All-State pick, will also be dangerous on offense. Search for Maine-Endwell players on our list of
2011 New York All-League football teams.
