Previewing St. Anthony's vs. Holy Cross
Holy Cross QB Dean Marlowe draws attention from St. Anthony's defenders in the first half during a game last year. (Nov. 14, 2009) Credit: David Pokress
This was touted as a rebuilding year for St. Anthony's football. Yeah, right. The Friars proved they are never in a rebuilding year. They're always in a reload mode.
Despite a heavy graduation, including All-Long Island quarterback Tom Schreiber, and some uncertainty at the skill positions, the Friars traveled out to State College High School in Pennsylvania and came away with an impressive 28-17 come-from-behind win last week.
The emergence of senior quarterback Charlie Raffa, who rushed for two touchdowns, and ran the triple option well, makes tonight's pivotal CHSFL season opener against Holy Cross all the more intriguing.
St. Anthony's (1-0) will host Holy Cross (1-0) at 7 p.m. in South Huntington in a game that will air live on MSG Varsity Channel 14.
St. Anthony's eliminated Holy Cross, 28-7, in the CHSFL AAA semifinal round last season. The Friars went on to win their eighth CHSFL championship in the past nine years with a 28-21 win over Holy Trinity.
"It's a very big game for both teams this early in the season," St. Anthony's coach Rich Reichert said. "They're an outstanding team with one of the better players in the area."
Holy Cross features Stanford-bound Devon Cajuste, who at 6-4, 222 pounds, is a threat at any position on offense.
The Crusaders beat St. Francis Prep, 31-6, in a non-league opener last week. Cajuste was used as a wide receiver and a halfback and finished with four carries for 76 yards and three catches for 99 yards. His 63-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter gave Holy Cross a 17-0 lead.
"He's obviously a big-time player that has our attention," Reichert said.
The Friars counter with dangerous halfback Dariyan Riley, who scored twice last week.
