At the mid-season mark, the 2-2 Fort Hamilton Tigers hosted the 2-2 New Dorp Central Cougars for their homecoming game. With both teams carrying identical records, this game was important for the winner to stay in the top tier of the 4A Conference to remain in the running for the playoffs in the PSAL’s eight-game regular schedule.
The Cougars struck first on their initial possession as Thomas Lucci ran a pitch down the sideline for a 45-yard score. The Tigers immediately answered back as Jayden Pagan followed his blockers up the middle for 48 yards to the end zone for his first of four touchdowns in the game.
With Fort Hamilton slightly ahead 7-6 to start the second quarter, New Dorp quarterback Jon Rose drove down to the three-yard line, where he took the ball in for the score. The Tigers countered with a drive of their own and sent Pagan down the sideline on a 19-yard run to regain the lead at 14-12.
During the last minute before the half, Tiger quarterback J. T. Turner went all out to send a 29-yard pass into the end zone for receiver Nate Jolicoeur that was intercepted by Justin Lomangino. After losing the ball on the catch, Jolicoeur immediately slammed the ball out of Lomangino’s hands, forcing a fumble for a touchdown recovery to give the Tigers a much-needed 21-12 half-time lead.
Early in the third quarter, the Tigers increased their lead as a red-hot Pagan powered 25 yards down the sideline to the four-yard line just short of the goal line. From the four, Pagan broke into the end zone for his third score of the game to increase Fort’s lead to 29-12.
The Cougars came back in the fourth quarter as Rose hit a leaping Lomangino in the corner of the end zone to narrow the score to 29-20. Looking for another score for a cushion to ensure a win, Pagan’s number was called again as he burst straight up the middle on a 62-yard run for his fourth touchdown. Safety Aiden Porter then subsequently wrapped up the game on an interception during the last minute of play for the 35-20 Fort Hamilton win.
For junior running back Pagan, this four-score game along with 190 yards gained was a career breakout game for the second-year varsity member. In fact, he matched the mark that was already set by running back Charles Kitsakos, who actually did the same feat twice in 2022.
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