Brian Alvarado, News Editor
November 7, 2023
This homecoming, the Port Chester Rams’ defense dominated the Poughkeepsie Pioneers with a 23-6 victory. This is the Rams’ second victory against the Pioneers in a row, the first being during the 2022 season when the Rams defeated the Pioneers with a 32-30 victory.
The campus was filled with supporters, first-responders, and food vendors. Everyone was able to notice an obvious change in the Rams’ attire when they excitedly took to the field with their new black jerseys. This is the first time the Rams have been seen in black jerseys in all of Port Chester’s football history.
The game was action-packed as Port Chester has had a rivalry with Poughkeepsie since last year’s game. Both teams greatly desired to win: Port Chester to win another year in a row and Poughkeepsie to avenge last year’s loss.
The Rams were able to stand their ground throughout this intense match-up, scoring touchdowns, two-point conversions, and even catching an interception. Port Chester’s Jayden Arbusto was able to intercept a Pioneer throw in the 4th quarter which further secured the Rams’ victory. The Rams played fast, scored fast, and left almost no chances for the Pioneers to get back on their feet.
The Port Chester Marching Band had a halftime show where they performed their 2023 program, New World Symphony. After the game, the band returned to their seats with the rest of the spectators and watched the game until the end.
After the game, the Rams could be seen celebrating with their coaches and with the Varsity Cheerleading team. Port Chester pride was in the atmosphere as Port Chester spectators applauded their victors. Everyone there that day watched a great Rams win and the day was looking exciting for Port Chester.
However, things took a turn for the worse that day. An assault took place just after the game ended which left witnesses in shock. About half of the Pioneers’ football team ganged up against a Port Chester High School student who was spectating the game. The Port Chester and Rye Police Departments stated they were able to control the situation which led to it subsiding. This unfortunately happened too late as the student left the site in an ambulance injured. Sources claim the student needed stitches and is doing well as of this moment.
The behavior the Pioneers showed on that Saturday is intolerable. On the incident, Port Chester Rams’ QB, Nathan Provencher stated, “Football is the only time where you’re allowed to take out all your frustrations on somebody physically, but it has to stay on the field. What happened after the game is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I think they should’ve played through the whistle,” said John DelCid, one of the Rams’ senior tri-captains. “I think that [their] team left a lot of doubt on the field and it came back to haunt them after the game by taking their anger out on kids they weren’t playing against.”
DelCid’s statement demonstrates the rivalry between Port Chester and Poughkeepsie, and embodies the idea that this rivalry shouldn’t exist outside of the field. As of this moment, the Port Chester and Rye police departments are further investigating the situation and are looking to find the perpetrators.
On the other hand, the homecoming football game was a great success for the Rams and they were able to move onto the next stage in their league.