STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The stakes might be higher these days, but it’s done nothing to prevent “Top Performers” from emerging.
Five Staten Island teams took the field for playoff games last weekend — including two championship games — and 16 players stepped up to earn the Advance/SILive.com honor.
Unlike the previous two weeks, when defensive players ruled the roost, offensive players were in the majority.
In fact, 11 of the 16 honorees were involved with the offense during last week’s games.
Who grabbed the top spot for last weekend’s heroics? Scroll down to find out.
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16.Matt Fuentes (Sea): The senior defensive back recorded a team-high nine tackles during the Vikings’ 28-7 CHSFL AA-1 city championship loss to Xavier.
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15.Braxton Moye (Farrell): The sophomore wide receiver caught four passes for 37 yards and a touchdown, but the Lions dropped a 42-20 CHSFL AAA title-game loss to Iona Prep.
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14.Jayden Melendez (Curtis): The senior wide receiver caught six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown during the Warriors’ PSAL 4A semifinal defeat to Erasmus Hall.
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13.Nick Acosta (Tottenville): The junior linebacker finished with three tackles and a forced fumble during the Pirates’ 41-13 PSAL 4A semifinal triumph over Abraham Lincoln.
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12.Toriano Lewis (Curtis): The junior wide receiver hauled in nine passes for 95 yards and a TD during the Warriors’ loss to the Dutchman.
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11.Michael Giordano (Petrides): The senior contributed in multiple facets during the Panthers’ 30-0 PSAL 1A whitewashing of Grady after finishing with a rushing touchdown, a 40-yard reception, an interception and four extra points.
Petrides senior Michael Giordano, left, had a rushing TD and an interception during the Panthers’ PSAL 1A semifinal triumph over Grady.(Kara Buzga for the Advance/SILive.com)
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10.Elias Hardt (Petrides): The senior blocked a punt, forced a pair of fumbles and had two sacks during Petrides’ semifinal home win over the Falcons.
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9.Kyle Charles (Tottenville): The senior defensive back finished with three tackles, a fumble recovery and a blocked extra point as the Pirates cruised into the PSAL 4A city championship game.
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8.Tyshawn Bent (Tottenville): The senior running back rushed for 73 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdown against the Railsplitters.
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7.Akai Lewis (Curtis): The junior wide receiver caught seven passes for 123 yards and a score during the Warriors’ season-ending defeat to Erasmus.
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6.Glenn Sheppard (Tottenville): The senior linebacker finished with three tackles, including one for a loss, and also notched a strip sack during the Pirates’ second victory over Lincoln this season.
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5.Joshua Okwuabueze (Petrides): The senior running back finished with 126 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Panthers waltzed into the PSAL 1A championship game.
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4.Justin McGuire (Tottenville): The senior quarterback completed 9 of 10 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns as the Pirates advanced to the PSAL 4A championship game for the second time in three seasons.
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3.Alex Ustun (Farrell): The senior wide receiver caught five passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns during the Lions’ title-game loss to the Gaels.
Monsignor Farrell wide receiver Alex Ustun found the end zone twice during the CHSFL AAA title game against Iona Prep last Saturday.(Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon)
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2.Vincent Canzoneri (Curtis): The senior quarterback ended his high school career with a bang as he completed 26 of 38 pass attempts for 303 yards and three TDs against the perennial powerhouse Dutchmen.
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1.Kory Brown (Tottenville): The junior made his mark on both sides of the ball during the Pirates’ big win over the Railsplitters. For starters, he rushed 15 times for 114 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, the fleet-footed defensive back led Tottenville with seven tackles against the Brooklyn school.