Prediction: Chaminade (N.Y.) stumbles in state semis

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in less than six weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we head to the Empire State as Long Island stalwart Chaminade hopes to challenge for the NYCHSFL’s AAA league championship. Can the Flyers overcome key departures and reach the title game for the first time since 2021?

Player Spotlight: EDGE/LB Luca Smith

Luca Smith returns as one of the team’s top defenders. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound edge rusher/outside linebacker finished his junior season with 52 tackles, eight sacks and five pass deflections. Smith has picked up offers from four Div. III programs in the last two weeks and more college attention will certainly be on the way if the Flyers’ team captain has a big senior campaign.

Others to watch: RB/LB Anthony Trapani, OL Declan Miller, TE Brady Murray

Season Prediction: 6-3

The Flyers will have to replace several new starters on offense, which doesn’t bode well for a program aiming to be one of New York’s best. This is amplified by the fact that adversaries like Iona Prep and St. Anthony’s could be even better than a year ago. The Chaminade football team ended last season with a loss in the NYCHSFL‘s AAA state semifinals and that looks like the ceiling here for this particular group. Anything beyond that would be a bit shocking.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 30 – at La Salle Academy (R.I.) Rams – W
Playing one of Rhode Island’s top football programs, the Flyers win their opener by two scores.

Sep. 6 – at Phillip Randolph Campus (N.Y.) Cougars – W
Chaminade cruises to a 41-6 win on the road.

Sep. 13 – Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) Crusaders – W
The Flyers put on a show in their home-opener with a three-point victory over a feisty Crusaders crew.

Sep. 27 – at St Peters Boys Eagles (N.Y.) Eagles – W
Following a bye week, the Chaminade football team rolls to a 37-12 victory and improves to 4-0 on the season.

Oct. 5 – at St. Francis Preparatory School (N.Y.) Terriers – W 
Make that five-straight victories to open the season as the Flyers head into a crucial matchup against Iona Prep.  

Oct. 11 – at Iona Prep (N.Y.) Gaels – L
Things don’t go Chaminade’s way as the team loses 42-14 to a very good Gaels squad.

Oct. 17 – at St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) Friars – L
That’s back-to-back losses for the Flyers, as the Friars hand them another L.

Oct. 24 – Cardinal Hayes (N.Y.) Cardinals – L
What once looked like a potential dream season has turned into a nightmare as Chaminade’s losing streak hits three games.

Nov. 1 – Kellenburg Memorial (N.Y.) Firebirds – W
The Flyers head into the NYCHSFL AAA playoffs with a victory.