The high school football season in New York kicks off in a little over a week with a full slate of games scheduled for Sept. 1-3. After going 11-1 and claiming its first New York State Catholic championship last fall,
Iona Prep (New Rochelle) headlines our look at this year's contenders in the preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
Head coach Joe Spagnolo's club returns seven starters on both sides of the ball as the Gaels attempt to go back-to-back.
Zyian Moultrie, a 6-foot, 1-inch, 240-pound linebacker and Syracuse commit, piled up 131 tackles in 2021, 23 tackles for loss and four sacks. Moultrie also rushed for 323 yards and nine scores on 45 carries.
Senior defensive lineman
Capri Martin is also back after recording 52 tackles, 14 tackles for losses, four sacks and a fumble recovery last fall.
Dual-threat quarterback
Ajani Sheppard completed 181 of 255 pass attempts for 2,357 yards and 22 touchdowns to just four interceptions a year ago. He also ran the ball 138 times for 1,041 yards and 16 more scores.
Colin O'Garro gives the Gaels experience at running back after running for 454 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries last season.
Head coach Todd Cayea's
Carmel Rams upended
Newburgh Free Academy (Newburgh) 47-13 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA state title contest and carries a 16-game winning streak into the upcoming season.
Defending Class A state champion
Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse) enters the season in the No. 8 spot.
Maine-Endwell (Endwell), the defending Class B state champion, sits at No. 10 while Class C state champion
Chenango Forks (Binghamton) debuts at No. 11.
Read on for a complete look at New York's preseason top 25 for 2022.
Preseason MaxPreps Top 25
2.
Carmel, 13-0
3.
St. Anthony's (Melville), 6-4
4.
Jamestown, 12-1
4.
Tioga (Tioga Center), 12-0
6.
Somers (Lincolndale), 12-1
7.
St. Francis (Hamburg), 7-4
8.
Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse), 9-3
9.
Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn), 12-0
10.
Maine-Endwell (Endwell), 12-1
11.
Chenango Forks (Binghamton), 11-1
11.
Plainedge (Massapequa), 12-0
13.
Garden City, 12-0
14.
Middle Early College (Buffalo), 11-2
15.
Holy Trinity (Hicksville), 10-0
16.
University Prep (Rochester), 9-2
17.
Curtis (Staten Island), 9-2
17.
Wantagh, 8-2
19.
Arlington (LaGrangeville), 7-4
20.
Fayetteville-Manlius (Manlius), 6-2
21.
Cornwall Central (New Windsor), 8-1
22.
Indian River (Philadelphia), 7-1
23.
East Islip (Islip Terrace), 10-2
24.
Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains), 6-5
25.
Canandaigua Academy (Canandaigua), 11-1
