STATEN ISLAND N.Y.— A matchup between Monsignor Farrell and Tottenville is a dream scenario for Staten Island high school football fans, and at the 2025 Fugazzi Bowl, which showcases the borough’s top senior players, the Lions and the Pirates certainly left their mark.
Led by Monsignor Farrell head coach Rocco Del Priore, the South squad dominated the North with a huge 33–0 victory, as Tottenville quarterback Justin McGuire (4 total TDs, 141 passing yards) earned Offensive MVP honors while Monsignor Farrell defensive lineman Cole Savino (4 sacks) was named Defensive MVP.
“They’re all tremendous football players,” Del Priore said following the South squad’s win.
“This is a great week. It really showcases what Staten Island football is all about; we’ve got 10 fantastic programs, great coaches and even better players.”
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44th Annual Fred Fugazzi Senior Bowl at Curtis
After a scoreless first quarter, the South seniors found their rhythm when McGuire connected with St. Joseph by-the-Sea wideout Miles Sinclair on a 26-yard TD strike to go up 7-0.
Two drives later, the Pirates-Lions connection struck, as Farrell’s Alex Ustun hauled in a touchdown of his own with an incredible effort off a deflected pass from 25 yards out, extending the lead to 15–0.
The Lions continued to put their fingerprints on the game as kicker Jake Burrowes booted a towering field goal from 42 yards out, giving the South crew a hefty 18–0 halftime advantage.
In the second half, McGuire picked up right where he left off, using his legs to punch in a two-yard quarterback sneak, extending the lead to 24–0 by the third quarter.
He then found Ustun once again in the fourth on an improvised, backyard-style play to make it 31–0, capping an outstanding final performance for the Pirates’ signal-caller.
“I knew how great he was as a four-year starter for Tottenville. Anytime his games were on, we watched. He ran the offense Coach [Brian] Murphy put in extremely well today, made some great off-platform throws, and kept plays alive,” Del Priore said.
McGuire called his own performance one that he’ll certainly remember.
“It felt great, honestly. Just coming out here for the last game of my high school career makes it even more special. I’m with all the guys I’ve been with since I was a kid. It’s a fun game, I was just out here having fun with my friends,” he shared.
As impressive as the Pirates’ quarterback was, the South defense matched that effort, racking up seven sacks while also recording interceptions by Tottenville’s Kamano Alimano and Matthew Levine, along with a fumble recovery by New Dorp’s Anthony Fernandez.
It was also fitting that Del Priore’s defense sealed the game with a safety on the final play, capping a dominant performance by the All-Star unit.
Savino relished the opportunity to suit up and record some more sacks one more time, saying that, “It felt pretty good. I’ve worked through all the adversity over these four years and finally got a chance to prove something.”
He also shared just how special it was to play under his head coach one more time, saying that, “It’s an honor. I love that man with all my heart; he made me into the man I am today.”
Del Priore reciprocated those feelings.
“Cole was a two-year starter for me and was really just consistent in everything he did; never missed anything. He had a great offseason and a dominant senior year for us. He led the Catholic AAA in sacks, and it showed today with a dominant effort,” he said.
The final score wasn’t as important as giving seniors the chance to share the field one last time, but even Del Priore couldn’t deny that it felt great to earn one more win after a standout season for his Lions.
Players congratulate eachother after the 44th Annual Fred Fugazzi Senior Bowl at Curtis High School Saturday afternoon. December 13, 2025. – (Angela Barca for the Staten Island Advance) ABAB
“To do it with my kids and guys like Coach Neville, Coach Murphy and Coach Giovanelli, who are some of the top coaches in New York State, was awesome. I learned this week, had fun, a lot of laughs and played a great game. The hard part is now we have to wait nine months for the next one,” he added with a chuckle.
Now 2-0 as a head coach in Fugazzi Bowls, Del Priore, who’s a self-described “avid Island sports fan,” says that he certainly sees himself trying to make it 3-0 in the future.
“I’d never pass this week up. It’s an opportunity for another week of football; it’s special. I don’t take it for granted,” he concluded.