Stepinac Hosts Doo-Wop, as Crusaders Wait for CHSFL Playoffs

On Saturday evening, at Stepinac High School, besides the sounds of the Doo-Wop music resonating from the auditorium, what was also very apparent was that the Crusaders football team had yet to play their CHSFL Playoff game, which was originally scheduled for November 4th.

The game was delayed for two weeks because of Hurricane Sandy. However, the fifth seeded Crusaders will finally play the fourth seeded St. Joseph’s-by-the-Sea, in the Quarterfinals of the CHSFL AAA Playoffs, on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 1: 30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s.

“The players work hard all year to finish their season correctly and the league wants to finish out the season,” commented Stepinac Head Coach Mike O’Donnell. “We have 20 schools in our league and we come mostly from the Tri-State area and so many schools are affected in different ways by the hurricane. We have to make sure every single school is taken care of before we proceed,” stated O’Donnell.

Nonetheless, the Crusaders have been keeping themselves active by practicing and participating in organized weight training to sustain their competitive proficiency. “It is tough to wait but we are going to be ready. We are focused and ready to play,” avowed Crusaders Captain and quarterback Danny Hoffer.

Furthermore, to keep them entertained until they meet the Vikings in Staten Island, on November 18, Stepinac hosted “A Doo-Wop Spectacular” on Saturday, Nov. 10, to benefit the Crusaders Football Program.

The Doo Wop Spectacular was hosted by Dennis Dion Nardone of WVOX-1460 AM Radio. About 1000 people packed into the Major Bowes Auditorium, at Stepinac, to revisit the musical years when Doo-Wop “Rock n Roll” energized the radio air waves.

White Plains’ own Nicky “C” Ciaramella promoted the event. Ciaramella is also the manager of the Westchester Burger Company, on Westchester Avenue, in White Plains. Nicky “C” and two of his ushers at the Doo-Wop Spectacular, also work the sideline markers during local high school football games.

Ciaramella guides one end of the first-down marker and his friend of many years Patsy DiSanto anchors the other end. Also their longtime companion Eugene Marra, Jr. steadies the yard marker during games.

The young child entertainer Victoria Dennis opened the show with the National Anthem. Dennis is a finalist in the “Super Top Dog” contest at the World Famous Apollo Theater, on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Dennis is also auditioning for the America’s Got Talent television show.

Yonkers High School student Alexis Newman then inspired the crowd with a sobering performance of “God Bless America”, as attendees remembered the victims of Hurricane Sandy. “I hope everyone affected by the storm remains safe,” announced Nardone. Newman is the 2010 Westchester Teen Idol winner.

Jackie DiMaggio, now 23 years old is also a former Westchester Teen Idol winner. DiMaggio from Pelham, is presently competing in “Lucky Break” at the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. DiMaggio has reached the second round of “Lucky Break” with the Finals to be televised on WLNY. The winner of the talent competition is awarded $25,000.

DiMaggio sang a tribute to the late Donna Summer. Then the two young Westchester County stars, DiMaggio and Newman joined on stage to sing Summer’s popular “Enough is Enough.”

Also performing at the Stepinac High School Football Doo-Wop Spectacular was: Classic Sounds from the Bronx, Playground, who have been together for 50 years and The Dubs from East Harlem sang their 1957 Number 1 hit, “Could This be Magic.”

All the singers and groups were great but the headliner stole the show. Jay and the Americans the legendary vocal group of the 1960’s marched through the audience to the stage to the music of the U.S.A. Band and belted out such favorites as, “Car Mia” “She Cried” “Come a Little Bit Closer” “Only in America”  “Let it be Me” among other tunes.

One lucky fan in attendance won an electric guitar autographed by Jay and the Americans in a raffle. Also the Stepinac Football Team sponsored a 50/50 Raffle.

The Stepinac football players volunteered to help direct parking at the Doo-Wop concert and sell water, concessions and raffle tickets to raise money for their football program. “It feels great to know that you are giving back to the program and to see all the alumni here and how generous they are,” commented Hoffer.

But now in so much as the bands have played to help raise money for the Stepinac football program. It is time for the Crusaders to play St. Joseph’s, on Sunday, Nov. 18, with the winner advancing to the Semifinals of the CHSFL AAA Playoffs.

 

Hurricane Sandy Cancels CHSFL Junior Varsity Playoffs

With the monstrous devastation caused in New York and New Jersey by Hurricane Sandy, it is difficult to feel bad for the Crusaders Junior Varsity Team, whose storybook CHSFL AAA season came to an end without a champion being crowned.

Although, the Catholic High School Football League (CHSFL) will proceed with the varsity Playoff schedule once competing schools are completely operational, the Junior Varsity schedule has been canceled.

The decision by the CHSFL to cancel the JV Playoffs brings a halt to the Crusaders Junior Varsity 2012 football season, where they compiled a 7-1 record. The Crusaders did not lose a game until their final game of the regular season against Iona Prep. They had been ranked as the number two seed in the CHSFL AAA Playoffs.

“I feel bad for the players. We had such a great year and for us to lose in our last game of the regular season and not get a chance to go to the playoffs. I just feel bad because there is no closure to the season,” declared Crusaders Junior Varsity Head Coach Joe Venice.

Nonetheless, 20 junior varsity players have moved up to the Crusaders varsity and will attempt to help Stepinac win the 2012 CHSFL AAA Championship.