St. Anthony's football falls to 0-2 but focus is on more than the game on 25th anniversary of 9/11
St. Anthony's head coach Joe Minucci and Rory McGermott take part in a 9/11 tribute before a CHSFL non-league game against St. Peter's in South Huntington on Friday, Sept.11, 2026. September 11, 2026. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Friday night lights mean a lot to the St. Anthony’s community. This one carried more weight.
On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, St. Anthony's honored first responders and those lost with a pregame ceremony that included an honor guard, first responders as honorary captains and the school's pipe band playing “Amazing Grace” before facing St. Peter's Prep, a team ranked inside the top 100 nationally by MaxPreps.
The St. Anthony's pipe band participates in the 9/11 tribute before before a CHSFL non-league game against St. Peter's in South Huntington on Friday, Sept.11, 2026. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
St. Anthony’s then gave the New Jersey powerhouse all it could handle until the final five minutes, falling, 45-24.
“Ultimately, we’re just playing a game here,” St. Anthony’s coach Joe Minucci said. “The message to the kids was the best thing they could do to honor the day and honor those that were lost and those that were responding was just go out there and work your butts off, and they did.”
Sophomore Bentley Cannon gave the Friars an early spark with a 44-yard pick-6 for a 7-0 lead.
After St. Peter’s Prep went ahead 10-7, Boston College-bound running back Xavier Bala answered with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put St. Anthony’s back in front, 14-10.
“Credit St. Anthony’s. It’s a really good program. They’re well coached,” St. Peter’s Prep coach Ryan O’Flaherty said. “Their running back is an incredible player. [Wide receiver Rory McDermott] is an unbelievable talent for them, too.”
Friars quarterback Anthony Diieso then had a touchdown pass to freshman Luke Maurino wiped away by an illegal-man-downfield penalty.
Michigan State commit Ty’ire Clark intercepted a pass on the following play, sparking the Marauders to score the next 14 points.
Clark finished with three interceptions, including a pick-6, a punt return for a touchdown, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups.
St. Anthony’s trailed 24-14 in the third quarter before Bala scored on a 10-yard run to make it 24-21 entering the fourth quarter.
Xavier Bala of St. Anthony's gets past the St. Peter's defense during a CHSFL non-league game in South Huntington on Friday, Sept.11, 2026. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
“I think we clearly showed we have a lot of potential,” said Bala, who rushed for 130 yards. “We competed with them very well, and I’m excited for league play.”
St. Anthony’s kicker Alex Gizzi later hit a 20-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 31-24 with five minutes remaining.
St. Peter’s Prep created separation late. Zach Karelis connected with Amari Jones for a 10-yard touchdown before Clark returned an interception for a touchdown on St. Anthony’s next offensive play to ice the game and drop the Friars to 0-2.
