Port Washington Football Celebrates Big Win

Recap submitted by J Nicholson/Photo: Andre Belarge

The Port Washington Vikings’ Varsity Football Team held its annual “Senior Day” event on Saturday, Oct. 25, honoring the effort of senior players, coaches, staff and parents who supported the program in recent years.

On a beautiful, 65 degree day under a clear blue sky, the Port Vikings squared off against the Hempstead Tigers, for the final home game of the Class of 2015. The game also marked The Vikings battling back into Long Island Football Conference I, a highly competitive conference, which hosts several perennial Long Island football powerhouse schools.

The Vikings did not disappoint, winning a thrilling defensive struggle 14 to 12. The game was close throughout, marked by pitched battles on the line of scrimmage and a ferocious Port defense led by Anton Livshin, Khaled Amin, and David Kinneary whose outstanding play at linebacker and booming kicks as punter kept the Vikings competitive in almost every game this season.

Outstanding pass blocking by linemen Austin Hannover and Elmer Mendez have kept the offense moving all season, allowing quarterback Matt Nicholson time to make key throws to receivers Scott Belage, Johnny Nahas and Charles Scharf. Late in the first half, Nicholson connected with Scharf, who made a circus style, finger-tip, 32-yard catch deep in Tiger territory setting up the Vikings’ first touchdown. Lineman Elijah Dumpson tore holes in in the Hempstead defense, as he has done to opposing teams all season, setting up runs by Nicholson and Running Back Christian Comacho.

Late in the second half, a diving catch by Johnny Nahas, in a ‘4th Down and 19’ situation, put the Vikings on Hempstead’s second yard line, setting up Nicholson’s final touchdown run (his 15th on the season), pulling The Vikings into the lead for good.

A final rush by the Tigers was held off by Anton Livshin, who ran the Tiger Running Back out of bounds on a two point conversion, sealing the win for Port.

The win marks a journey led by Head Coach Jamal Ramsey, who rebuilt and mentored a program that struggled in recent years, back to where it competes against some of the toughest teams on the Island.

The day also celebrates the efforts of senior parents including Carol Hannover and Toni Nahas leading the Port Parents’ Football Booster Club, which coordinates weekly pre-game pasta dinners for the team, outfits players (and fans) with awesome Port Pride fan gear and worked tirelessly to ensure the teams’ and the fans’ morale never flagged, even in the lean years.

As (honorary) team photographers Andre Belarge and Robert Gennusa (father of 2013 star running back Michael), the team’s season is well-documented.

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