Rankings and Rivalry
The season‑opening game between Christian Brothers Academy and Iona Prep is set for September 3 at the JMA Dome, marking the first time two of New York’s most dominant high school programs meet at the start of a campaign.
Both teams arrive with unbeaten streaks — CBA has a 41‑game win streak and three straight state titles, while Iona Prep holds back‑to‑back Catholic league and state crowns — and they have shared the top spot in the final New York State Sportswriters Association poll for two years running.
The contest has sparked a broader conversation about private‑school participation in public leagues, with CBA often cited as a catalyst for calls to create separate championships, a debate that has divided coaches, administrators and fans across the state.
Iona Prep head coach Joe Spagnolo has noted that the rise of social media and recruiting platforms has erased the traditional upstate‑downstate divide, making talent more visible and the rivalry more palpable than ever before.
Senior defensive back Mamadee Sangaray of Iona Prep said the team feels a responsibility to prove its dominance on the field, regardless of the final score, underscoring the pressure that accompanies the hype.
Syracuse University head coach Fran Brown has expressed interest in hosting the game at the Dome, adding a layer of university involvement that has helped elevate the matchup’s profile and attract statewide attention.
The scheduling feat required open dates from both programs and a willingness to navigate league constraints, a logistical challenge that organizers say reflects the growing willingness to experiment with crossover contests.
Adding to the spectacle, a second grudge match between Stepinac and CBA‑Albany is slated for September 4, further cementing a weekend of high‑stakes rivalry games that could reshape perceptions of New York high school football.