STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— Despite a tough loss to Brooklyn Tech on Friday evening, the New Dorp football program still had reason to celebrate, as the school honored its 1985 PSAL city championship team— marking the 40th anniversary of one of Staten Island football’s all-time great triumphs.

Finishing the regular season with a 7-2-1 record, the 1985 Centrals leaned on a suffocating defense to power a memorable playoff run— edging August Martin 6-0 in the quarterfinals, beating Lehman 14-7 in the semifinals and clinching the title with a 7-6 win over South Shore, sealed by a clutch blocked PAT from the late team captain Rich Cortese.

Among those in attendance Friday night were former head coach Joe Avena, quarterback Frank D’Alessio and defensive back Glenn Goldberg— all New Dorp Athletics H

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