The level of talent among local private schools remains high, so there was again plenty of competition for Super 11 recognition.
For nearly three decades, the unveiling of the lohud Super 11 teams have signaled the start of a new high school football season. Those who make the final cut are proven game-changers from schools in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. A majority of these headliners come from winning programs and play a sport in college.
Two years ago, we expanded, creating unique Super 11 teams for public and private schools.
2026 lohud Private School Super 11
Max Bucci
School: Archbishop Stepinac
Year: Senior
Position: Center
Height: 6-5
Weight: 240
What makes Max a Super 11 player: Bucci keeps his quarterback clean. He did not allow his assignment to register a sack last season and
delivered 29 pancake blocks for the Crusaders, who rebounded with a 6-5 season. Bucci has an offer from Marist.
Daniel Davitt
School: Archbishop Stepinac
Year: Senior
Position: T
Height: 6-8
Weight: 290
What makes Daniel a Super 11 player: Davitt is a mobile power forward in shoulder pads who added bulk in the offseason to go with a nearly 7-foot wingspan. He's become more polished and less raw over time and has an offer from Pace.
Austin Farrell
School: Iona Prep
Year: Senior
Position: DL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 265
What makes Austin a Super 11 player: Farrell is an explosive three-year starter who routinely keeps two offensive linemen occupied. He is committed to Delaware. Farrell got in on 40 tackles, 11 for a loss, helping the Gaels post an 11-1 record and repeat as CHSFL and state Catholic school champions.
Dean Gaughran
School: Archbishop Stepinac
Year: Junior
Position: LB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 210
What makes Dean a Super 11 player: Gaughran is a blossoming stopper who is coming back faster and stronger. He is more confident, too. Gaughran was in on 83 tackles and recorded two sacks last year for the Crusaders, who need somebody to lead the charge to the ball.
Dashawn Harley
School: Iona Prep
Year: Senior
Positions: OL/DL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 280
What makes Dashawn a Super 11 player: Harley is an old-school, two-way lineman who is a sight to behold when he pulls from the guard spot and blows open seams big enough to strut through. He is committed to Rhode Island. Harley makes the most of an 83-inch wingspan. He was in on 28 tackles last season for the CHSFL and New York Catholic Schools champions, including four behind the line of scrimmage.
Caiden Howard
School: Rye Country Day
Year: Senior
Position: WR
Height: 6-4
Weight: 185
What makes Caiden a Super 11 player: Howard is a matchup problem with hands. The ability to adjust then elevate makes him an obvious red zone target and he's got moves after the catch. He's got offers from Bowling Green, Stony Brook and Pace.
Brady Morison
School: Iona Prep
Year: Senior
Position: DL
Height: 6-2
Weight: 270
What makes Brady a Super 11 player: Morison benches 400 pounds. He is hard to move off the line and harder to shake once he latches on to a ball carrier. Morison is committed to Maine. He was in on 30 tackles during last year's CHSFL and state title runs and notched 2 1/2 sacks.
Dilen Mulaj
School: Iona Prep
Year: Junior
Position: T
Height: 6-9
Weight: 340
What makes Dilen a Super 11 player: Mulaj is a sight to behold. Teammates who see him every single day walk past the biggest man on campus and shake their heads in disbelief. Mulaj has 13 Division I offers, including Ole Miss, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and Tennessee. Mulaj is only just beginning to realize his potential and ranks among the state's top three 2028 recruits.
Mamadee Sangaray
School: Iona Prep
Year: Senior
Positions: S/WR
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
What makes Mamadee a Super 11 player: Sangaray is that object in the side mirror who is always closer than he appears. And he lands the hit. Sangaray was a defensive catalyst for the back-to-back CHSFL AAA champions and is committed to Boston College. He was in on 73 tackles last season, 16 of them for a loss. Sangaray recorded a pair of interceptions and caught 21 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Josh Simmons
School: Iona Prep
Year: Senior
Positions: DE/TE
Height: 6-5
Weight: 240
What makes Josh a Super 11 player: Simmons comes off the edge with fire and brimstone and creates a measure of chaos when Xs and Os have to be altered. He is committed to Wake Forest. Simmons was perhaps the most improved player in the region last season, finishing with 41 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks and two interceptions for the CHSFL and state Catholic schools champions.
Alex Vlasto
School: Rye Country Day School
Year: Junior
Position: LB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
What makes Alex a Super 11 player: Vlasto is an energetic and enthusiastic pinball of a linebacker who is coming off a breakout season in the Metropolitan Independent Football League. He delivered 78 tackles, 20 for a loss, and intercepted three passes last season.
Mike Dougherty covers high school football for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Meet the 2026 lohud Private Schools Super 11 football players
