Football Preview: Iona Prep

Not only has the St. Anthony’s football team been forced to deal with the emotional fallout this week of losing its most dynamic and well-liked player in senior running back Atiq Lucas, who broke his leg in Saturday’s win over Chaminade. But how do you replace someone who has proven to be a threat running the ball, catching the ball and as a return man?

That’s the challenge Saturday against unbeaten Iona Prep. Friars coach Rich Reichert said Nicholas Flynn and Jaffrea Corley-Woods would get more playing time as a result. But the reality is running back is the deepest position on a talented team. Senior Nick Mercurio and Chris Carberry will be the featured backs with Mercurio proving particularly dangerous catching passes out of the backfield.

The real question this week is the health of junior quarterback Tom Schreiber. He hurt his knee in the fourth quarter against Chaminade and did not return. Schreiber is expected to play, but quarterback is one position that’s already taken a hit. Preseason backup James D’Aprile was lost for the season with a back injury before the first game.

That said, this one is all about the defense. The Friars (6-1 overall, 5-0 CHSFL) are on the road for the fourth straight week, facing Iona Prep (7-0, 5-0) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in New Rochelle.

The secondary had been playing injured. But cornerback Matt Metalios and safety Ryan Fumai are expected to be close to full strength. They will be tested in run support and against the pass. Iona Prep might be the most complete offense the Friars have faced.

Remember Chris Alfano? The wideout proved impossible to cover in last season’s 23-20 semifinal won. Alfano caught touchdown passes of 35 and 62 yards. He’s now a senior and just as fast.

And the Gaels got a four-touchdown performance last week from running back Jeff Mack in a 27-12 win over Holy Trinity. Quarterback Tyrae Woodson-Samuels left the game with a concussion, but he is expected to play against St. Anthony’s. The undersized signal caller has proved to be deadly accurate.

The winner likely locks up the top seed in the CHSFL Class AAA with one game left in the regular season. As if the Friars didn’t have enough motivation, no doubt they will dedicate the Iona Prep game to Lucas. This one should be emotional.

– JASON MOLINET