What can't Anthony Trapani '27 do?
The Flyers' two-way star played lights out on Saturday, scoring two touchdowns, snagging an interception, and racking up countless tackles to spearhead Chaminade's dominant 34-7 victory over A. Phillip Randolph High School.
"As a team, we've been putting in the work all offseason, starting in the winter with lifting and then, in the spring, going out there and getting reps in practice," Trapani said. "I think most of my success comes from that and my coaches preparing me to be the best I can be on the field."
Last year, Trapani exclusively played linebacker for a Chaminade team that went 8-4 and reached the CHSFL semifinals. This year, with limited depth at running back, he agreed to take on a second position.
"We knew how much he could help us on offense, so that was something in the offseason we started working with, just knowing he was going to be someone we needed on both sides of the ball," revealed Chaminade head coach Tom Claro. "He's been one of our best players."
Trapani's talents shined during the afternoon matchup against Randolph on Ott Field, one in which Claro implored his team to get off to a fast start.
Fortunately, they did just that.
On their second drive, junior QB Sean Carnevale found senior tight end Henry Peterson down the seam for an explosive play. Three snaps later, Trapani maneuvered through the trenches to pick up a two-yard touchdown and make it 7-0.
"We were a bit more organized," reflected Claro, whose squad was forced to try to climb out of a 14-0 hole in its first game of the season against La Salle. "I felt like we played physical from the get-go."
It didn't take long for Trapani to make his mark once more.
On a 4th-and-7 late in the opening frame, the junior dropped back into coverage and intercepted a short pass from Randolph QB Emmanuel Opoku, setting up the Flyers offense with strong field position.
"Last year, I learned so much, especially from my teammates," said Trapani. "All the guys last year taught me to just buy in and play for one another. They were all great role models, especially in the linebacker room with Dean Schmitt and Will Handley… Also, just having another year on Coach Elder's defense allows me to be more confident and play my game."
Chaminade kept the pedal to the metal into the second quarter. Justin Jones banged through a 37-yard field goal to make it 10-0, and Trapani helped stall the ensuing Randolph drive with a tackle-for-loss on third down.
On the next sequence, Carnevale & Co. worked the two-minute drill to perfection, and Trapani was at the center of it once again. On 3rd-and-4, he caught a pass from Carnevale that was short of the sticks, but Trapani put his head down and spun through a would-be tackler to pick up the first down.
Two plays later, he hauled in a throw out in the flat and charged towards the end zone, losing his helmet while attempting to reach over the goal line. While this lunge was originally called a TD, the refs then huddled and ruled Trapani down at the one. Fortunately for Chaminade, Carnevale was able to sneak it in immediately after to stretch the lead to 17-0 at halftime.
"For me, I'm not the biggest, fastest, or strongest guy on the field, so I try to have the mentality of just fearing no one," said Trapani. "I know that if I just play my game and forget about everything else, I'll succeed."
Chaminade added three points at the start of the third quarter thanks to a forced fumble by Luca Smith and a booming 49-yard field goal from Jones.
However, Randolph would not go away, as running back Ahmed Toure did his best Marshawn Lynch impression, breaking six tackles on a bruising 65-yard touchdown run to make the score 20-7.
Chaminade would respond on the next drive. It started with Trapani breaking through the line on a 19-yard burst, and it finished with him finding paydirt on another two-yard run, this time pushing the score to 27-7.
"What makes Anthony Trapani such a good asset is his preparation, self-discipline, and his desire to become the best football player he can be," praised Carnevale. "His running ability, blocking ability, and his catching out of the backfield make him a true weapon."
From there, it was a cakewalk for the Flyers. Luca Mastronardi added an interception, and Peterson made a Randy Moss-esque catch to tally the contest's final touchdown.
Next week, the 1-1 Flyers will make the trip into the Garden State to battle 1-0 Seton Hall Prep, who held them to a season-low three points last year. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.
