Football Preview: St. Francis Prep

It’s playoff time for the Friars.

BY JASON MOLINET

It’s the game within the game. Two of the most respected coaches anywhere — and the two winningest coaches in CHSFL history — square off Friday night under the lights in South Huntington.

Vinnie O’Connor brings St. Francis Prep and his 317 career victories to Cy Donnelly Field to take on host St. Anthony’s and coach Rich Reichert. Reichert, 56, is 178-46-3 in 22 seasons at St. Anthony’s, good for a .795 winning percentage. O’Connor is still going strong in this, his 55th season at the helm of the Queens school.

This CHSFL Class AAA quarterfinal has added flavor. The game, at 7 p.m. Friday, may be about players popping pads, but O’Connor and Reichert are masters of the game plan. And no sport depends more on sound strategy than football.

St. Anthony’s (7-2 overall, 6-1 CHSFL) seemed to regain its edge on offense in last week’s 42-27 win over Mount St. Michael. But the defense is suffering from a late-season meltdown. After giving up all of 47 points in the first four games, the Friars have surrendered 129 points (26 per game) over the final five weeks.

One thing you can count on is for the Friars to play with purpose. St. Anthony’s is the seven-time defending league champ.

St. Francis Prep opened the season as the last of 12 teams in the Class AAA division. But after a 4-4 season, the Terriers earned the No. 7 seed in the CHSFL Class AAA playoffs, ahead of such regulars as Farrell and Holy Trinity.

The Terriers have lost three of their last four, including last week’s 47-7 thrashing at the hands of top-seeded Iona Prep. Running backs Tristan Akong and Robert Dougherty can be dangerous. Each has breakaway ability.

Just ask Holy Trinity, which got burned on a kickoff return and long touchdown run by Dougherty in Week 4.

There’s no doubt the Friars will be able to move the ball against St. Francis. And if the defense can revert to its early-season form, then St. Anthony’s should have no trouble.

But you can’t dismiss the Terriers outright. That’s because a true giant of the game patrols the opposite sideline. O’Connor’s presence alone demands respect.