On September 18th, the Fort Hamilton Tiger football team faced off against the Port Richmond Red Raiders for its homecoming game on the Fort Hamilton field. There was much at stake for both teams as the Fort Hamilton Tigers, who were 1-3 at the time, needed a victory for a chance to make the playoffs. Port Richmond, on the other hand, was 2-2 and looking to get over the .500 hump which could help secure their playoff hopes.
The game opened up with the Tigers getting the ball but forced to punt after a “fourth-and-long” decision. Fort’s defense looked strong as defensive tackle Micheal Alverez received a fumble to put the Tigers in great field position—that was, until the Raiders also came up with a fumble recovery of their own.
Then in the second quarter, #7 for the Raiders scored two long touchdowns, ultimately putting the Tigers down by 14. Right before halftime, the Raiders were able to sneak one more touchdown off of a 24 yard pass from #4, making the score 21-0.
At halftime, the Tigers went inside the school to replenish and strategize. The Fort Hamilton cheer team lifted up their spirits with an electric cheer performance. Sur-real, a fan at the game, said “The dancers were very passionate” and “their spirit was shown through each movement.” It proved to be just what the Tiger fans needed to get the energy up.
Though energy was high, it did not stay that way; shortly after the third quarter began, the Raiders took a 60-yard kickoff return to the house and then got the two point conversion, making the score 29-0. But the Tigers didn’t give up, as Aiden Porter #5 threw an eight-yard pass to Jack Miller #12 for six points. Not only was this a pivotal play for Fort Hamilton, but it was also Jack Miller’s first ever varsity touchdown. The Raiders followed up with a 28 yard touchdown run, however. The offense responded again with 53 yard passing touchdown from Aiden Porter #5 to Zakaria Benchemmar #3.
Tensions were high as both these teams needed a win, proven by when little squabbles would break out throughout the game. But it became a huge problem when, at the end of the third quarter, a fight broke loose between the Raiders’ whole sideline and a few Tiger football players. The Raiders sideline cleared in an attempt to help a teammate after getting hit late on a play. This caused the game to get called and the fourth quarter was never played. 
“It’s a shame this happened as we were just starting to find our groove,” said quarterback Aiden Porter.
Nevertheless, the Tigers have not lost their fighting spirit and look forward to the rest of the season.
“I’m very proud of these boys who kept fighting until the last minute,” said Linebacker Coach Mat. “We just have to get started quicker.” The Tigers now drop to 1-4 as they hope to win more in the next few weeks.
