PSAL high school football playoff preview: Games to watch

High school football playoffs have arrived in New York City. After nine weeks of regular-season action, the postseason is here and features several intriguing matchups.

In PSAL 4A, John F. Kennedy (Bronx) got the help it needed and made the playoffs after Fort Hamilton (Brooklyn) defeated Brooklyn Tech last Sunday.

“Excitement — that’s the best word to describe it,” John F. Kennedy coach Alex Vega said. “Our guys have been through a lot this year. So I’m proud of the kids for persevering, and now we have a chance.”

Because of their preseason seed and rating, Kennedy enters as the No. 5 seed. JFK (3-5) is led by senior running back Derik Betances, who has 1,317 all-purpose yards. The Knights will face perennial powerhouse Abraham Lincoln (Brooklyn) at noon Saturday.

“They are a great program,” Vega said. “We must play mistake-free football. We can’t make mental mistakes in this game.”

Lincoln (5-3) held a one-point halftime lead last week over Brooklyn’s top team, Erasmus Hall, before falling 34-14. Christian Borhi, the 4A leader in passing yards, was sidelined with an injury and is questionable for this game, according to Lincoln coach Shawn O’Connor.

The Railsplitters’ seniors have given them a boost heading into the postseason.

“I really like the way we’ve grown up,” O’Connor said. “Even though we have 31 seniors, I feel like we’ve come together, especially on offense despite injuries. And our defense has been steady, and [linebacker] Ron Jones has been a leader for us — great kid, great student — and I feel like we’re jelling at the right time.”

The Railsplitters defeated the Knights, 35-8, in Week 3.

“Watching them at the end of the season, they are jelling very well,” O’Connor said. “They have a great running back and they have great talent. But I’m glad to be home for the playoffs and play another game.”

PSAL 4A

(6) Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn) (6-2) at (3) Curtis (Staten Island) (6-2), Saturday, 12 p.m.
The new kids on the block face off against the defending champions in their first matchup. Eagle Academy’s offense scored 40 or more points in all six of its league victories. Zy’eare Schulters has 15 total touchdowns for Eagle Academy, which is a  strong No. 6 seed.
Curtis has one of the top defenses in the PSAL and has allowed more than 14 points just once. The defensive line — Jarrett Serate, Jalil Parnell, Armani Kamara and Ndiame Diouck — is one of the best in the state.
(7) South Shore (Brooklyn) (5-3) at (2) Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn) (7-1), Saturday, 12 p.m.
Erasmus Hall coach Danny Landberg is one victory away from his 200th win. In his 24th year, he would become the fastest PSAL football coach to reach the milestone. Erasmus is led by quarterback Kendu Brown, wide receiver Justus Murray and running backs Ameir Morrow and Jaire Lewis. The four seniors power an offense that has scored over 30 points in every league game.
South Shore quarterback George Adams and wide receiver Adrian Antoine will look to fire on all cylinders to keep pace with Erasmus Hall.
PSAL 3A
(7) John Jay (Brooklyn) (6-2) at (2) James Madison (Brooklyn) (5-3), Friday, 2 p.m.
John Jay enters the playoffs on a four-game win streak. Quarterback DreShawn Peak has eight total touchdowns and running Efren Thompson has six TDs this season. Both will need to be at their best to pull off the upset.
James Madison’s sophomores Rayniel Valerio-Villanu, Gavin Pelzer, Neijee Hunter and Travys Leahy will look to continue fueling the Knights’ offense in the postseason.
(5) Harry S. Truman (Bronx) (4-4) at (4) New Utrecht (Brooklyn) (4-4), Saturday, 12 p.m.
The regular-season meeting was a 12-6 Truman win. The Mustangs were led by Shavon Richardson, who rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown. Richardson totaled 314 yards of offense and five touchdowns in last week’s 34-20 win over McKee/S.I. Tech.
New Utrecht will lean on standout senior Ishmel Alcindor, who has 786 rushing yards and nine touchdowns and will be a key factor in the Utes’ playoff run.
PSAL 2A
(5) Franklin D. Roosevelt (Brooklyn) (5-2) at (4) William C. Bryant (Queens) (7-1), Saturday, 12 p.m.
William C. Bryant has never won a playoff game in school history. Quarterback Mahdi Kobeissi has 19 total touchdowns and 28 tackles as a defensive back. Bryant has won four straight and has allowed double-digit points only twice all season.
FDR’s run-heavy offense is led by junior Eyan Todman, the 2A rushing leader with 1,020 yards. Seniors Justin Edwards and Benjamin Wolfson-Harris have both eclipsed 400 rushing yards.
(6) Beach Channel (Queens) (5-3) at (3) Springfield Gardens (Queens) (5-3), Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Springfield is fueled by junior all-purpose players Gabriel Lemon and Josiah Lawler, who leads the team on both sides of the ball. Brian Jr-Ali has totaled nine touchdowns.
Beach Channel is guided by senior quarterback Tyler Guzman, who has totaled nine touchdowns in league play and helped Beach Channel reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
PSAL 1A
(6) Long Island City (5-3) at (3) William E. Grady (7-1)
Grady is the defending 1A champion. Senior Dushawn Bailey has 71 tackles and seven total touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Brian De Campos Cohen has thrown for eight touchdowns, and sophomore running back Alexander Loria has found the end zone 11 times during a breakout season.
Long Island City’s Armani Johnson leads 1A with 871 rushing yards in six games. Casiem Pratt-Webb and the LIC defense will look to slow down Grady. The first meeting was a 22-0 Grady win on Sept. 20.