STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Defensive players once again had the last laugh amongst Staten Island’s high school football teams.
Overall, anyway.
For only the second time this season — and the second straight week — defensive players ruled the roost in this borough.
There were 27 players selected “Top Performers” for Week 12 and 16 of them had a connection to defense, including six who produced on both sides of the ball.
Not too shabby.
But again, we ask: Did a defensive player grab the top spot in the rankings?
To find out, simply scroll down.
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27.Darren Niles (Petrides): The junior defensive lineman registered seven tackles during a 34-0 PSAL 1A quarterfinal victory over A-Tech.
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26.Jayden Melendez (Curtis): The senior finished with four catches for 27 yards and also had a key pass deflection during a 24-18 PSAL 4A quarterfinal overtime win over Eagle Academy II,
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25.Matt Levine (Tottenville): The senior defensive back picked off a pass during the Pirates’ 43-6 PSAL 4A quarterfinal triumph over Port Richmond.
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24.Sal Leto (Sea): The junior linebacker/running back finished with six tackles and also rushed the ball four times for 41 yards during the Vikings’ 20-6 CHSFL AA-1 triumph over Fordham Prep.
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23.Michael LiBretta (Farrell): The junior defensive back picked off a pass, had a pass deflection and recorded four tackles as the Lions cruised to a 34-3 CHSFL AAA semifinal victory over visiting Chaminade.
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22.Ben Terry (St. Peter’s): The sophomore running back rushed five times for 79 yards and a score and also hauled in three passes for 15 yards during the Eagles’ CHSFL AA-1 semifinal defeat to Xavier.
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21.Matt Fuentes (Sea): The senior defensive back finished with four tackles and an interception against the Rams last Saturday.
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20.David Lee (Petrides): The senior quarterback rushed three times for 40 yards and a pair of scores as the Panthers cruised into the PSAL 1A semis.
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19.Nic Constantino (Tottenville): The junior’s 31-yard reception set up one touchdown and he also caught a TD pass during the Pirates’ playoff win over the Raiders.
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18.Charles Simmons (Curtis): The junior linebacker finished with five tackles, including one for an 8-yard loss in overtime as the Warriors stunned the Eagles with a comeback victory.
Curtis linebacker Charles Simmons had a huge tackle for a loss during the Warriors’ 24-18 PSAL 4A quarterfinal victory over Eagle Academy II last Saturday.(Advance/SILive.com | Annie De Biase)
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17.Christian Yue (Sea): The senior wide receiver caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown as the defending AA-1 city champion Vikings earned their second straight trip to the title game.
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16.Braxton Moye (Farrell): The sophomore wide receiver caught four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown and also recorded a sack during Farrell’s semifinal triumph over the Flyers.
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15.Andrew Doyle (Farrell): The senior linebacker had five tackles, including one for a loss, and added 1 1/2 sacks and a pass deflection against the Flyers last Friday.
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14.Pete Tronolone (Sea): The junior quarterback rushed six times for 38 yards and a score and also had a touchdown pass against the Rams last weekend.
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13.Ndiame Diouck (Curtis): The senior defensive lineman had two sacks and a tackle for a loss as the Warriors punched its ticket to an appearance in the PSAL 4A semis with the win over Eagle Academy in OT.
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12.Kasiem Cromwell (Port Richmond): The senior quarterback finished with 163 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdown during the Raiders’ loss to the Pirates.
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11.Alex Ustun (Farrell): The senior wide receiver caught three passes for 36 yards, including a score, and also had a 1-yard rushing TD as the Lions rolled past the Mineola, L.I., school.
Monsignor Farrell wide receiver Alex Ustun finished with a pair of touchdowns during the Lions’ 34-3 CHSFL AAA semifinal win over Chaminade last Friday,(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)
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10.Jamel Kamara (Petrides): The senior linebacker finished with a 25-yard pick-6, four tackles (2 TFL), a forced fumble and a sack during the Panthers’ shutout playoff win last week.
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9.Bryce Moye (Farrell): The sophomore quarterback connected on 12 of 16 passes for 149 yards and a pair of TDs as the Lions reached the CHSFL AAA title game for the second time in five seasons.
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8.Dom D’Orazio (Sea): The senior linebacker finished with a game-high nine tackles and deflected a pair of passes as the Vikings upended the Rams for the second time this season.
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7.Akai Lewis (Curtis): The junior finished with five catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns — including the score that helped tie the game late in regulation — as the Warriors won at home last Saturday.
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6.Charlie Constanzo (Farrell): The sophomore defensive back finished with eight tackles, including one for a loss, and also forced a fumble as the Lions’ defense held the Flyers to a field goal last Friday.
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5.TyShaw Bent (Tottenville): The senior running back continued his dominating season with two more rushing scores as the Pirates remained undefeated with the win over PR.
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4.Joshua Okwuabueze (Petrides): The senior rushed 11 times for 144 yards and two TDs and also finished with seven tackles (two for losses) and a sack as Petrides blanked A-Tech.
Petrides running back Joshua Okwuabueze was a force on both sides of the ball during the Panthers’ PSAL A1 quarterfinal shutout win over A-Tech. Kara Buzga
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3.Joey Moran (Sea): The junior continued to dominate on both sides of the ball as he rushed the ball 12 times for 112 yards and a touchdown and also had a catch for another three yards. In addition, the linebacker had four tackles, including one for a loss, and also sacked the quarterback in the semifinal contest.
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2.Quadare Gomez (Curtis): The junior wasn’t supposed to play because of a cranky ankle, but he was pressed into action because of an injury and came through when the Warriors needed him most. The running back scored the game-tying two-point conversion in the waning minutes of regulation, then scored the game-winning touchdown on Curtis’ first series to seal the victory.
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1.Kevin Gumb (Farrell): The senior once again dominated in more than one way as he gave the Lions a major boost en route to advancing to Saturday’s CHSFL AAA championship game against Iona Prep. For starters, the running back rushed 25 times for a whopping 193 yards and a touchdown. He also had two catches for a yard. In addition, Gumb blocked a punt deep in Chaminade territory, then had the presence of mind to pick it up and scamper into the end zone to help give Farrell the win.
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