STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— One of Staten Island high school football’s greatest traditions — the annual Fugazzi Bowl, featuring the borough’s top senior players representing the North and South Shores — returns Saturday at Curtis High School at 11 a.m., marking the 44th edition of the storied event.
The borough’s North team — featuring standouts from St. Peter’s, Port Richmond, Susan Wagner, Petrides and Curtis — will be guided by Warriors head coach Peter Gambardella, who called the opportunity to participate a privilege.
“It’s an honor to coach in this game as it brings all of Staten Island together, and to support the Fugazzi Award is even more special,” Gambardella said.
The South team will feature fourth-year players from Tottenville, St. Joseph by-the-Sea, McKee/Staten Island Tech, New Dorp and Monsignor Farrell, with Lions play-caller Rocco Del Priore serving as head coach.
“The Fugazzi Bowl is truly something special,” Del Priore shared.
“As an avid Staten Island football fan and coach, it’s an honor to take part in this game. It gives me one more chance to coach my seniors and to be a part of a tradition that brings together the very best players on Staten Island. Being on this field with them is something I’ll always be grateful for,” he continued.
Rich Fugazzi, one of the principal organizers of the event, thanked both coaches for their involvement in making the game possible, saying that “The tradition continues because of the effort of the Island’s coaches, who sacrifice their time every year.”
“It’s probably the last organized football game a lot of the players will compete in, so it’s special they’re able to do it against players they know,” he went on.
Leading the way with the most selections are the host Warriors, who placed 15 players on the North team. Close behind are the runners-up in their respective championship games — PSAL 4A finalist Tottenville and CHSFL AAA silver-medalists Monsignor Farrell — each of which will send 12 seniors to compete.
The annual game is named after Fred Fugazzi, who was a HS football legend on Staten Island as an All-City running back for New Dorp in the 1950s before reaching Little All-American status while playing for Missouri Valley College.
Fugazzi was drafted into the AFL but ultimately became a NYC hero firefighter who died while trying to break up a bar fight in 1977.
The Fugazzi Bowl precedes the March 2026 Fugazzi Dinner at the Staaten, where the 10 Island varsity head coaches nominate one player on their team who emulates the style and spirit of Fred Fugazzi. From the 10, one winner is announced the Fred Fugazzi winner. In addition to being named the most outstanding player on Staten Island, the winner receives a $2,000 scholarship donated by the Fugazzi family.
Ryan Walsh of Monsignor Farrell runs the ball in the 43rd Annual Fred Fugazzi Senior Bowl at Moore Catholic High School Saturday afternoon. December 14, 2024. – (Angela Barca for the Staten Island Advance) ABAB
NORTH TEAM
Curtis (15): Danny Lewis (DB), AJ Gambardella (LB), Jarrett Serate (DL), Jayden Melendez (WR), Vincent Canzoneri (QB), Sonny Corulla (LB), Kashawn Shipman (LB), Ndiame Diouck (DL), Jalil Parnell (DL), Giovanni Bennardo (K), Michael Cybulski (OL), Ben Scott (OL), Mark Adediran (OL), Jay Jones (OL), Anthony Palmer (DL)
Petrides (8): David Lee (QB), Josh Okwuabueze (RB), Elias Hardt (LB), Prince Cobinna (DB/WR), Michael Giordano (WR), Jamel Kamara (DL), Luke Burmaster (OL), Quadri Shofuyi (OL)
Port Richmond (6): Kasiem Cromwell (ATH), AJ Zimmerman (RB/DB), Connor Evans (DB), Vendimir Louis (DL), Jason Cortes (OL), Connor Oliver (WR)
St. Peter’s (5): Nick Gnerre (LB), Vincenzo Coppola (WR), Vinny Damato (DB), Dante Ciaramella (OL), Danny Mills (DL)
Susan Wagner (5): Kaden Alejandro (WR/DB), Toa Spencer (QB/DB), Koren Gavish (P), Noam Malka (OL), Phil Dalgin (OL)
SOUTH TEAM
Tottenville (12): Tyshawn Bent (RB), Justin McGuire (QB), Glenn Sheppard (LB), Eli Jones (DL), Omar Menedez (LB), Matthew Levine (DB), Alimano Kamano (DB), Jaden Innocent (DL), Anthony Colon (OL), Isiah Anariba (OL/TE), Aiden Salovski (OL), Andrew McFarland (OL)
Monsignor Farrell (12): Matthew Tristano (WR), Alex Ustun (WR/DB), Frank Dimicelli (DB), Gianni Pasquolone (WR/DB), Kevin Gumb (RB), Biagio D’Aquino (DB), Jake Burrowes (K), Dan Mastrogiullio (LB), Cole Savino (DL), Joseph Vitale (OL/DL), Thomas Costello (OL), AJ Lombardi (OL)
McKee/Staten Island Tech (6): Chris Spirocostas (TE), Justin Flores (LB), Ashton Kiri (LB), Kenny Juarez (OL), Jacob Weingarten (OL), Alex Pavia (OL)
New Dorp (6): Roman Sinischalchi (RB), Anthony Fernandez (DB), Murat Baratov (DB), Jermey Perez (OL), Manny Garcia (LB), Nick Tuminello (LB)
St. Joseph by-the-Sea (2): Miles Sinclair (WR), Dom Dorazio (LB)
***
NOTES: The Fugazzi Committee is comprised of dedicated volunteers from Fred’s family, friends and colleagues. The committee has changed a great deal in the past 47 years and is always looking for new active members to continue this well-established Staten Island tradition. For more information regarding the Fugazzi Committee, the Fugazzi Award, or the Exceptional Senior game, please contact Rich Fugazzi at 917-923-4379.