Football Preview: Farrell

St. Anthony’s is rolling. And it’s a good thing: The Friars (3-1 overall, 2-0 CHSFL) will be road warriors over the next month, starting with back-to-back trips to Staten Island.

Good news for the Friars: Junior quarterback Tom Schreiber appears to be the real deal, at ease in the pocket, running and a crisp passer. He’s also made smart decisions so far. The running hasn’t overpowered, but it hasn’t been asked to either. It’s gotten the job done in short yardage situations.

The defense is strong up front, led by Rafiq Wallace and Robert Welsh. St. Anthony’s has been burned deep, but few teams have a better secondary.

Special teams play has also be exceptional, from the return game powered by Atiq Lucas to the kicking duties manned by Maryland-bound Nick Ferrara.

It’s been a tough start to the season for Farrell (1-3, 0-2), coming off a 19-13 loss to Mount St. Michael. According to several reports, the entire Farrell backfield is in flux. Jonathan Derbyshire made his first start at quarterback last week, moving former starter Paul Barchitta to running back and former running back Marco Boshnack to wideout. Got that?

The big concern in this one is fact the Friars are playing on the road. The game is 7 p.m. Saturday in Staten Island at Alumni Stadum at DiTommaso Field, a field turf sports complex. Of course, turf might help the fleet Friars.

The Fariars are 23-12-2 all-time against Farrell and haven’t lost in the series since the 2000 title game. Incidentally, Rich Reichert goes for career win No. 175.

– JASON MOLINET