Zy'eare Schulters' long TD run propels Eagle Academy II over Erasmus Hall in PSAL football battle
Eagle Academy's Zy'eare Schulters breaks away and runs down the field for a touchdown during a PSAL football game against Erasmus Hall on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 in Brooklyn. Credit: Libby O'Neill
The most anticipated game of the PSAL regular season was living up to expectations. The defenses were dominant, and it was a one-score game in the fourth quarter between Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn) and Erasmus Hall.
Then 5-3 Zy’eare Schulters burst through a hole and sliced through the Erasmus Hall defense for a 60-yard touchdown. That was the dagger.
“We got the best closer in the city, and in the state,” Eagle Academy II coach Kyron Jones said. “He might be the smallest player, but he’s got the biggest heart. He wanted the ball, and he wanted to close the game. And when you have a player that says, ‘Give me the ball, coach,’ you have to give him the rock.”
The biggest regular-season game in Eagle Academy II history ended with a 22-7 victory over Erasmus Hall, the dynasty that has won six of the last seven city championships in the PSAL’s highest classification.
“It feels amazing,” Schulters said. “It’s just a testament to all the work we put in. Just the moments we worked for.”
“I’m elated for the young men because I’ve seen how much work they’ve been doing for this moment,” Jones said. “And they lived up to everything we knew they could be.”
Eagle Academy II scored the lone touchdown of the first half as Anthony Caratelli found Juvens Lindor for an 11-yard touchdown with 6:37 left in the first quarter. Eagle Academy II led 7-0.
The score remained that way until Eagle Academy II defensive lineman Chase Hyacinth made one of the biggest plays of the night. Hyacinth returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 midway through the third quarter.
“D-I players make D-I plays,” said Hyacinth, a Delaware commit. “We played hard. We played physical and violent, we played Eagle football, and that’s the way you beat good teams.”
Erasmus Hall responded immediately. Trevor Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to cut the Eagle Academy II lead to 14-7 in the third quarter. It was the Dutchmen’s only touchdown of the game as the Eagles’ defense did not allow an offensive score.
Schulters had fumbled on an earlier possession, but when another opportunity came, one of the PSAL’s most explosive players responded with the biggest offensive play of the game.
Despite the outcome, Erasmus Hall coach Danny Landberg was pleased with how his defense performed.
“I thought our defense played really well,” Landberg said. “The defense had two really big stops in the goal-line, red-zone area. I was proud of them, but we have things we need to clean up.”
A large crowd packed the Eagles’ home field and the celebration was on full display under the lights.
But neither Jones nor his players viewed Friday’s victory as the final word between the two programs.
“It’s a good moment for right now, but we still have to see them later on,” Schulters said.
Jones echoed that sentiment.
“They’re still the champs,” Jones said. “And we’re not getting a big head off of this one victory. It’s a great victory, but we’re going to have to see them again.”
Both teams know there could be another meeting waiting in the postseason, potentially a sequel with a championship at stake.
“It was an enjoyable game to be a part of and coach in,” Landberg said. “On to the next. Hopefully we’ll get there again.”
