St. Anthony's football star Xavier Bala wins Rich Reichert Award as Long Island's top player in the CHSFL

A few months before the season, the attention surrounding St. Anthony’s running back Xavier Bala skyrocketed. When premier programs like Ohio State and Alabama offer a scholarship, expectations rise.

And Bala delivered — all season long.

The junior running back finished with 1,318 yards and 26 touchdowns on 254 carries. 

Bala earned the sixth annual Rich Reichert Award, which recognizes Long Island’s top player in the CHSFL, on Thursday at St. Anthony’s High School. He is the fifth consecutive player from St. Anthony's to win the award, joining Andrew Bardak, Dante Torres, Korey Duff Jr. and Gary Merrill. The award is named after the legendary Friars coach. 

“It feels great to be in company with great players like Gary, KJ and everyone who came before them,” Bala said. “It’s really an amazing feeling.”

Bala burst onto the scene as a sophomore, rushing for 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns. But as a junior, he took his game to another level and emerged as a leader.

“We graduated a number of guys from the previous year,” St. Anthony’s coach Joe Minucci said. “So it was great to have him at practice and lean on him in certain situations. Seeing his growth from a productive sophomore year to this past season, it’s great to see him develop as a football player.”

Among the losses from 2024 was Merrill, the quarterback who graduated after totaling 51 touchdowns in his senior year.

There were many new faces, including sophomore quarterback Anthony Diieso, but the unit found its rhythm, highlighted by a five-game winning streak before falling to Iona Prep in the semifinals.

“I was the youngest here, and Xavier helped me through a lot,” Diieso said. “He has a lot of experience, and he really guided this team and got our momentum going this season.”

The first game of the season was when Bala reminded everyone why he was named a four-star recruit. He rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns against McDonogh (Md.), going toe-to-toe with linebacker Nick Abrams II, a Georgia commit.

“I had a little chip on my shoulder that game,” Bala said. “We were the underdogs going into that game, and I knew I needed to boost my team a little bit. It was really fun to play in. McDonogh had some great players.”

Bala continued his strong season, rushing for at least 100 yards in nine games. He also delivered a standout quarterfinal performance against Cardinal Hayes with 166 yards and a TD on 28 carries. 

After the season, Bala took visits to Ohio State and Virginia and has become one of the most highly-recruited running backs from St. Anthony’s in years.

“Jordan Gowins is comparable as a high school athlete," Minucci said. "Jordan didn't have these offers but he went onto play at Boston College and Stony Brook. I think you have to go back to Matt Hahn [class of 2004], who was a scholarship guy to Penn State. We haven’t had a recruit at this position at that high of a level with these offers in my era here.”

Bala has collected 19 FBS offers and is set to make his commitment on Jan. 10 at the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, televised on NBC during halftime.

“Very excited. It’s an honor they chose me,” Bala said of the event. “It shows my hard work, and I can’t wait.”