Staten Island's Gridiron Grit: Sea Fights Tooth and Nail for Another Shot at Glory

Staten Island’s storied football fields—they’ve seen their fair share of nail-biters, haven't they? And Friday night at Fordham Prep, well, it was another one for the books, truly. St. Joseph by-the-Sea, the Vikings as they’re known, ventured into the Bronx for a CHSFL AA-1 semifinal clash, a real high-stakes affair, honestly. What unfolded was nothing short of a gridiron saga, a testament to grit and, you could say, sheer willpower, as they clawed their way to a 28-21 victory over a tenacious Fordham Prep squad.

From the whistle, it was clear this wouldn't be a cakewalk. The Vikings, ever determined, managed to snag an early lead, building what felt like a comfortable cushion at the time. Chris Calabrese, bless his heart, found the end zone, and then James Scricco added another score—it was looking pretty good, you know? But here's the thing about championship-caliber football: opponents don't just roll over. Fordham Prep, resilient to their core, started chipping away, refusing to let Sea run away with it.

The game, honestly, was a seesaw battle, swinging back and forth with every big play, every defensive stand. Sea's Andrew Caccese, he punched one in too, keeping the Vikings’ hopes alive, keeping them ahead. But as the fourth quarter dawned, a collective gasp might have escaped some of the Staten Island faithful. Fordham Prep, with a surge of momentum, managed to draw level, tying the score at 21-21. Talk about pressure! You could feel it radiating through the field, couldn't you? It was that kind of moment where every single snap felt monumental.

And then, in those fading moments, a hero emerged, or rather, re-emerged with a vengeance: Joe Matassa. This young man, he'd been making plays all night, but he saved his absolute best for when it mattered most. With just over three minutes left on the clock—3:19 to be precise—Matassa burst through, scampering for a pivotal 5-yard touchdown. A go-ahead score, just like that. But was it over? Oh, no, not by a long shot. Football, after all, is a game of two halves, or in this case, a game of crucial final minutes.

Fordham Prep, bless their hearts, wasn't ready to surrender. They mounted one final, desperate drive, pushing deep into Sea territory. The tension, well, it was palpable. It felt like time itself slowed down, hanging heavy in the cool night air. And then, who else but Matassa? The very same Matassa, he snagged an interception, a game-sealing pick that, in truth, snatched victory from the jaws of a potential overtime showdown. It was a clutch play, pure and simple, one that cemented the Vikings’ place in the championship.

Coach Nick Puntin, a man who knows a thing or two about winning, probably breathed a sigh of relief. His team, honestly, has been on an incredible journey. For the second consecutive year, St. Joe's by-the-Sea is heading to the CHSFL AA-1 Championship. They're not just going; they're going back, seeking to defend their title, to claim back-to-back crowns. What an accomplishment, truly. They’ll face Iona Prep next, a formidable opponent, to be sure. But if Friday night taught us anything, it’s that this Sea team thrives on the challenge. They’re fighters, every single one of them, and for once, their quest for glory continues.