Staten Island is the home office for football in the city, so it’s no surprise that the following list of players includes a good balance of highly skilled position players to go along with some of the most devastating lineman in the area:
FRANK MESSINA (Tottenville): The 6-5 QB was one of the best at his position in the PSAL. He passed for 1,461 yards and 15 touchdowns in the regular season and completed 31 of 43 passes, including four touchdowns, in two playoff games.
CHRIS APP (New Dorp): Small – 5-10, 165 pounds – but extremely effective, App completed 106 of his 166 attempts for 1,720 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also ran for five TDs and a pair of two-point conversions.
DONTA JACKSON (New Dorp): App’s favorite target caught 32 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns. He also picked off three passes and returned one for a score.
ANDRE CIRINO (Wagner): A key to Wagner’s re-emergence as a league power, the 6-2, 220-pound junior rushed for 1,36 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught a TD pass and scored six two-point conversions.
NICK DOSCHER (Moore Catholic): Doscher did it all, and effectively, passing for 1,921 yards and running for 693 yards. He tossed 24 touchdown passes while helping Moore to the CHSFL AA championship game.
VIDAL HAZELTON (Moore Catholic): Hazelton had 39 catches for 690 yards and 15 touchdowns. He and Doscher helped make Moore one of the best offenses in the city.
ANDRE SMITH (New Dorp): Smith rounded out New Dorp’s balanced attack with 640 yards on 87 carries, including 11 touchdowns and four two-pointers. He also averaged 25 yards on punt returns.
JAMES GRAZIANO (Farrell): The undersized (6-1, 205) two-way lineman was ferocious against the run and just as effective making holes for teammates to run through. His play on both lines helped the Lions advance to the CHSFL AAA championship game.
CALVIN BOONE (Port Richmond): A leader on defense, the 6-3, 190-pound corner had six interceptions, more than anyone else on Staten Island. He was regarded as one of the fastest, most athletic defenders in the city.
ROB SICA (Farrell): The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker was the centerpiece of a defense that allowed just 208 yards a game and 14 touchdowns all season.
JOHN FERRARA (Farrell): Teams often ran the other way rather than test the 6-4, 245-pound junior. He was one of the reasons the Lions allowed just 90 rushing yards a game and only six touchdowns on the ground all season.
GENE SMITH (Moore Catholic, coach): Smith was the architect of one of the most explosive offenses in the city and helped guide Moore to the CHSFL AA championship game.
Second team: Jeremy Goldman (Tottenville), Brian McGowan (St. Joe’s Sea), Michael D’Angelo (St. Joe’s Sea), Marvin Dale (Curtis), John Stillman (Port Richmond), Kevin Koger (Wagner), Steven Paone (Farrell), Tom DiPietro (Wagner), Vincent Velez (Port Richmond).
