Port Richmond finished their season with a 3-6 record this year, but one must say they had a very tough schedule this season. When you’re 10-0 in the regular season and win the PSAL championship the previous year, you’re bound to have a tough season the next year. PortRichmond’s season had its positives though. Their season would end in a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the PSAL Playoffs to rival Tottenville High School. The final score ended up being 33-31. Tottenville had a late fourth quarter drive to put the nail in the coffin against Port Richmond’s 2009 campaign.
The opponents for the Raiders had a combined record of 58-23 at the end of the season, and one must see why the Raiders have a 3-6 record. The experts said Port Richmond should go 3-6 this year and they did, but regardless of the numbers, Port Richmond is a much better team then the numbers say. It’s hard to see on paper, but if you watched the games and the effort by these players, one would realize they have a great football team. The goal for every team at the beginning of the year is too win the PSAL City Championship, of course the Raiders fell short, but they still made the playoffs.
The Raiders were led by a fearless and strong competitor in Jon Hines on defense. He would line up at defensive end and give quarterbacks and ball carriers nightmares. Another star on the team was Jonathan Hernandez the starting Quarterback for the Raiders and the starting Safety on defense. Port Richmond has been known for a great running game the past couple years, and this year did not disappoint. Charles Corneh and Robert Schroeder carried most of the load for the rushing attack and had a fine year. Credit Mark Clark, Rotimi Oni and Luis Rice this year also, they had a good amount of carries as well. In fact, Mark Clark was the starter this year until he got a nagging leg injury against Fort Hamilton during the season which limited his carries for the year. Mark Clark, Luis Rice and Rotimi Oni are all juniors. Expect them to continue the Raider tradition of having a strong running game. As for Charles Corneh, Robert Schroeder, John Hernandez and John Hines they will not be returning next season because all of which are Seniors this year and have played their final games at Port Richmond this season. Another Senior who was a playmaker was Quadir Johnson, younger brother of Zamel Johnson who played with his brother on last years championship winning team. Quadir was a wide receiver with tremendous athletic ability, he will be missed as well as all the other Seniors departing this year.
The departure of Seniors opens the door for many players who have waited for their chance to start on Varsity. Coach Vesce is not looking back on this year. He is focused and will be on full throttle for next season in the next upcoming months. Next season will come fast. It is a long time from now but time goes by fast. The Juniors this year will now be Seniors. Sophomores will be Juniors and Junior Varsity players will be Varsity players. The one thing that will never leave this school no matter how long it stays, no matter how many losses it suffers, is the Raider Pride and the Raider Spirit of a Port Richmond Raider football player. They are amongst the elite students that attend this school. As a student athlete, they define the “Total Raider” with their pride for this school. Lets all wish them luck next season because no matter how many losses you have, their will always be, next year. Soon, the 2010 Port Richmond Football campaign will begin!
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