Varsity Insider

Below are my picks for Week 2, including a look at my four “Games of the Week” and the “Pick Six,” which rounds out the Top 10 games for our contest.

For those involved, please list your picks for the Top 10 in the comments below the post. Please use the same blog handle you used last week.

Josh’s records —
Week 1: 28-8
Top 10s: 9-1
Overall: 28-8

Picks’ contest leaders —
Week 1: Josh, LG #21, The Donald, HAYWOOD, 10545, WingTGuy, Football 44
Overall: (same)

THE TOP 10 —

GAMES OF THE WEEK
John Jay (1-0) vs. Harrison (1-0)
When: Friday, 7
Where: John Jay High School
Key players: John Jay — Tyler Keech (6-2, 180), Sr., QB/WR; Jack Lambert (6-2, 180), Sr., QB/WR; Jason Valvano (6-1, 240), Sr., OL/DL. Harrison — Vin Nicita (6-2, 190), Sr., QB/S; Charlie Credendino (6-3, 310), Sr., OL/DL; Robert Waldman (5-10, 185), Sr., RB/DB.
Key matchup: John Jay front seven vs. Harrison running game
Outlook: John Jay may have the most potent offense in Section 1, and few teams, if any, boast the perfect antidote to it. Harrison might be one of those teams. The Huskies have a multifaceted running game with power (Waldman) and speed (Jake Marino and Mike Amicucci). They will rely on it to keep John Jay’s offense on the sideline and tire out its defense. The Indians will need to stop that from happening so they can get Keech, Lambert and co. on the field. No matter the outcome, the winner will have established itself as a serious championship contender in Class A.
Prediction: Harrison 24, John Jay 21

White Plains (0-1) vs. New Rochelle (1-0)
When: Friday, 7
Where: White Plains High School
Key players: White Plains — Robby Lorden (6-3, 230), Sr., OL/DL; Elijah Young (6-1, 260), Sr., OL/DL; Ari Shammery (6-1, 185), Sr., RB/LB. New Rochelle — Khalil Edney (6-3, 180), Sr., QB; Joe Clarke (6-2, 200), Sr., TE/OLB; Jason Ceneus (5-9, 185), Sr., RB/DB.
Key matchup: White Plains QB Cameron Crabbe vs. New Rochelle secondary
Outlook: The rivalry began in 1900 and it has now been nine seasons since White Plains beat New Rochelle. The Huguenots escaped with a victory in last year’s Class AA quarterfinals by stopping a last-minute two-point conversion run that would’ve won the game. With almost an entirely new cast, White Plains will need to diversify its offense against one of the section’s best defenses. New starting quarterback Cameron Crabbe had some success in the air last week at Harrison and will need to keep New Rochelle guessing this week, too.
Prediction: New Rochelle 34, White Plains 13

John Jay-East Fishkill (1-0) vs. North Rockland (1-0)
When: Friday, 7
Where: John Jay-East Fishkill High School
Key players: John Jay — Rob Haughton (5-10, 185), Sr., RB/LB; Kyle Contreras (5-10, 175), Sr., QB/S; Hunter Berg (6-3, 230), Sr., TE/DE. North Rockland — John Dapolito (6-0, 210), Sr., FB/LB; Nick Connell (5-10, 190), Sr., RB/LB/S; Eric Favors (5-11, 200), So., G/NG.
Key matchup: John Jay’s defensive line vs. North Rockland’s offensive line.
Outlook: This rematch of last year’s Class AA championship game should be similar in style — a tough, hard-nosed, physical affair. Both teams have new quarterbacks and will rely primarily on power running games. North Rockland will need to cut out critical offensive mistakes it made against Mahopac to be more productive. It can’t rely on forcing turnovers, which helped lead to both touchdown’s in last week’s 14-0 win. The Red Raiders are a running team so they’ll have to prevent the penetration that allowed Mahopac to hold them in check.
Prediction: North Rockland 14, John Jay-East Fishkill 7

Iona Prep (1-0) vs. St. Anthony’s (0-1)
When: Saturday, 1:30
Where: Iona Prep
Key players: Iona Prep — Chris Cooper (5-11, 185), Sr., WR/CB; Shaquille Townsend (5-8, 180), Sr., RB; Mario Biaggi (5-11, 195), Sr., QB. St. Anthony’s — Jordan Gowins (6-0, 185), So., RB; Greg Galligan (5-10, 190), Jr., QB; Anthony Anderson (5-11, 210), Sr., FB.
Key matchup: Iona Prep’s speed vs. St. Anthony’s size.
Outlook: In its scrimmages two weeks ago against Somers and New Rochelle and last week against national powerhouse Bergen Catholic, St. Anthony’s was burned by speed. No team in the CHSFL relies on it more than the Gaels, who are the smaller but quicker of the league’s top-two ranked teams. But they will have to confront an angry St. Anthony’s, which was outclassed by Bergen Catholic 59-21 on its home field, bringing a humbling end to the program’s 29-game winning streak. Although many expect the Friars to meet Iona Prep again in November, they won’t want to wait until then to send a message. But these Gaels are more than good enough to win.
Prediction: St. Anthony’s 28, Iona Prep 21

PICK SIX
Friday:
Nyack 22, Brewster 14. The Indians will be tested through the air, but their size and strength will limit Brewster’s opportunities.
Rye 21, Sleepy Hollow 13. It’s a big step up in competition for Sleepy this week.
Ossining 28, Yorktown 20. One of these playoff contenders will fall to 0-2. They should be hungry.

Saturday:
Woodlands 34, Irvington 21. The Falcons have too much firepower against a team that had a very long, grueling weekend.
Pleasantville 20, Briarcliff 7. The Panthers are better prepared after playing two-time defending champ Croton last week.
Croton-Harmon 13, Hen Hud 10. A packed house should get a very competitive game with the gap between teams having narrowed since last year.

THE REST
Friday:
Horace Greeley 21, Fox Lane 7
Poughkeepsie 34, Eastchester 13
Arlington 17, Clarkstown North 13
Clarkstown South 27, Scarsdale 14
Ketcham 20, Mahopac 13
Ramapo 20, Carmel 14
Tappan Zee 21, Suffern 20
Lakeland 42, Riverside 6
Somers 28, Pelham 7
Ardsley 20, Putnam Valley 6
Edgemont 26, Kennedy 12
Valhalla 20, YMA 7

Saturday:
Hackley 34, Peekskill 6
Xaverian 34, Stepinac 28
Tuckahoe 22, Rye Country Day 14
Dover 13, Pawling 6
Dobbs Ferry 19, Burke Catholic 13
Byram Hills 28, Port Chester 12
Gorton 19, Spring Valley 13
Saunders 20, Lincoln 6
Our Lady of Lourdes 20, Nanuet 6
Westlake 33, Roosevelt 8
Pearl River 35, Yonkers 7
Panas 19, Beacon 8
Mamaroneck 27, Mount Vernon 14
Rye Neck 38, Palisade Prep 8
Haldane 17, Albertus Magnus 14
Bronxville 27, Hastings 6