PSAL football Week 2 preview: All eyes on Eagle Academy II vs. Erasmus Hall

Ever since the PSAL football schedule was announced, this was the game that was circled.

Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn) is filled with Division I-bound talent. Erasmus Hall has won six of the last seven city championships in the PSAL’s highest division.

The Eagles took down out-of-state powers Friendship Academy (D.C.) and Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) before defeating Lincoln, 42-0, last week.

“It was great to have those non-league victories, but none of it matters if you can’t win in Brooklyn,” Eagle Academy II coach Kyron Jones said.

Running back Zy’eare Schulters might be the PSAL’s best player and has led the Eagles’ offense with 477 yards in three games. Quarterback Anthony Caratelli completed 14 of 15 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns against Lincoln.

Erasmus Hall lost both of its non-league contests but bounced back with a 43-6 win over Kennedy. The Dutchmen led 36-0 at halftime.

“I was glad to see their aggressiveness and violence,” Erasmus Hall coach Danny Landberg said. “They jumped on them when the bell rang. I was very, very happy with that. I needed to see that. It was showing me that we do have the potential.”

Both teams have plenty of playmakers, but Erasmus Hall senior quarterback Tommy Zeh has been out every game this season. Sophomore Mikey Bennett has stepped in and completed 11 of 11 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns last week.

“I think everybody understands what the moment looks like,” Landberg said. “Right now, it’s just understanding what it means to turn up another notch.”

With windy conditions expected, running the ball could be critical. Erasmus Hall is led on the ground by Stony Brook commit Jordan Bishop and Richuard Dobbin, while Eagle Academy II features Schulters and Dominic Prestano.

With the hype surrounding the matchup, Jones agreed that this is the biggest regular-season game Eagle Academy II has hosted in program history.

Conference 4A

Tottenville (Staten Island) at Wagner (Staten Island), 6 p.m. Friday

The Falcons have had a magical start to the season. They had a come-from-behind 27-20 win over New Dorp to improve to 2-0. Sophomore quarterback Sal Firpo and wide receiver Ian Bennett connected on the go-ahead 75-yard score, but the level of competition takes a huge leap against 4A runner-up Tottenville. The Pirates beat Port Richmond 59-6 last week, with numerous playmakers finding the end zone.

Fort Hamilton (Brooklyn) at South Shore (Brooklyn), 11 a.m. Saturday

The Tigers took care of business against Canarsie, 32-6. Jayden Pagan ran for 82 yards and a touchdown. Now comes a matchup that could put them ahead in the playoff race as they travel to South Shore. The Vikings fell to Curtis, 43-12, but the offense looked explosive. George Adams threw for 336 yards and receiver Herbert Matute Jr. totaled 139 yards of offense and a touchdown.

Conference 3A

Stuyvesant (Manhattan) at John Jay (Brooklyn), 11 a.m. Sunday

Fynn Chadwick totaled five touchdowns in Stuyvesant’s 44-7 win over Bayside. The Peglegs return a plethora of talent, but now they face a tough John Jay defense. The Jaguars are led by Aaron Benjamin, who had 12 tackles last week. He’ll be tasked with slowing down an explosive Stuyvesant offense.

Eagle Academy III (Queens) at Sheepshead Bay (Brooklyn), 2 p.m. Sunday

It’s a rematch of the 2024 PSAL 2A title game, when Eagle Academy III (Queens) won 6-0. Eagle Academy III won via forfeit last week, but now it will look to playmakers Khasir Wright and Darryus Mohammed against Sheepshead Bay. The Sharks were upset, 35-28, in double overtime last week. Jayden Browne and Anthony Milan connected for two touchdowns as they look to bounce back Sunday.

Conference 2A

KIPP NYC College Prep (Bronx) at East Harlem Pride (Manhattan), 2 p.m. Saturday

KIPP surprised many with a 32-0 win over Christopher Columbus last week after winning only one game last season. Legend Lee ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns. KIPP visits East Harlem and star tailback Saraji Paige, who totaled 170 yards and three touchdowns in a 26-0 win over Grand Street Campus.

Picks (8-2)

DeWitt Clinton

South Shore

Eagle Academy II (Brooklyn)

Tottenville

Stuyvesant

Sheepshead Bay

East Harlem

McKee/Staten Island Tech

Beach Channel

Petrides