Senior Kahn Battles on Both Sides of the Ball As PHS Football Falls 24-6 to Hamilton West

After the Princeton High football team fell 24-6 to Hamilton West last Saturday, the players bowed their heads as they gathered in the end zone for the postgame message from their coaches.

But in the view of senior star tight end/linebacker-defensive end and team co-captain Ben Kahn, the Tigers had reason to hold their heads high as they battled to the final whistle.

“I really, really respect the effort of everyone on this team,” said Kahn. “I never question the effort. Everyone wanted this win a lot and had a lot of heart.”

In the first half, PHS showed effort but squandered opportunities. After recovering a fumble on Hamilton West’s first possession, the Tigers drove to the Hornet 14-yard-line but turned the ball over on downs. Later in the quarter, Kyle Carr returned a kickoff 89 yards for an apparent touchdown but it was called back due to an illegal blocking penalty.

“The defense was playing well,” said Kahn. “Offense just couldn’t get it going in the first half, figuring out the kinks.”

Trailing 17-0 at halftime, the message from the PHS coaches was simple

“We are still in the game, play like it is 0-0,” said Kahn. “It is a new half, just play with a little more intensity and a little better execution.”

The Tigers responded with an 18-play, 94-yard scoring march that culminated with a four-yard touchdown run by quarterback Quentin de Faria that narrowed the gap to 17-6.

“In the second half we picked it up, we did a lot better on offense,” said Kahn. “It was just limiting mistakes, they are a good team.”

On that scoring march, Kahn caught one pass and rushed twice for 11 yards. “I am a fan of that, I like toting the rock,” said Kahn, reflecting on his ball carrying.

In the fourth quarter, PHS drove to the Hamilton West 46 but lost the ball on a fumble. After the Hornets stretched their lead to 24-6, the Tigers kept battling as they got to the Hamilton West 12 before time expired.

“The defense played very well given the circumstances,” said Kahn. “I credit each and every person out there with giving their all every play and making plays all game long.”

Playing both ways this season has required Kahn to give his all.

“It is definitely a lot, I love to rise to the challenge playing both ways,” said Kahn, who ended up with 24 yards rushing, made one reception, and had three tackles against the Hornets. “It is really fun; I just want to give my all for the tram every week.”

Kahn, who also stars in lacrosse, has benefitted in that sport from having fun on the football field.

“Coach [Chip] Casto said playing defense in football really helps, it translates to the lacrosse field,” said Kahn, who has committed to attend Haverford College and play for its men’s lax program. “It is a really useful skill.”

In addition, Kahn has honed his leadership skills from serving as a team co-captain.

“I just want to bring everyone up around me and make them play and be at the best of their ability all the time,” said Kahn.

While being down 17-0 at halftime wasn’t the best situation, PHS head coach Charlie Gallagher was unfazed.

“We gave up a field goal instead of a touchdown right before the half,” said Gallagher. “They were knocking on the door to make it 21-0 which would have been really difficult.”

In the second half, Gallagher inserted his son, sophomore running back Chase Gallagher, who had sat out the first half due to nagging injuries, to give the Tigers a lift. Gallagher responded by rushing for 50 yards and making two receptions for 56 yards, including some big plays on the Tiger TD drive.

“Chase came in the second half and gave us a spark,” said Gallagher. “The problem was that drive took forever. That was an 18-play drive which was the game plan. When you fall down 17-0, that game plan is a little bit more challenging.”

Gallagher credited Kahn with being up to the challenge of excelling on both sides of the ball.

“We thought he was maybe one-way but he ended up turning into a two-way player, he has just done a tremendous job,” said Gallagher. “He is playing banged up and he has been doing it all year. He has been grinding it out. He listens really well. After he listens, he executes the game plan which is really important. It is one thing for a guy to listen, but does he have the ability to carry out things. He had some nice runs today and had some really great stops.”

With PHS, now 3-4, hosting Trenton (3-4) in its home finale on October 17 as it holds its annual Senior Day celebration, Gallagher knows the Tigers will have to execute well to overcome the Tornadoes.

“I watched Trenton last night and then have got a good football team so we will have our work cut out for us,” said Gallagher, noting that the Tigers are on the bubble for a state playoff spot. “If somehow we can finish 1-0 next week, that is a huge accomplishment. It is going to be a really good football game. There are a lot of extracurriculars going on. We try not to focus on that too much but it gets the spirit going. It is a good way to send them off if we can parlay the Senior Day with a win and go 1-0.”

Kahn, for his part, is confident that the Tigers will rise to the occasion.

“The message at the end of the day for the seniors was that we’ve only got a couple of more regardless,” said Kahn. “It is now or never. I think practice this week will be high intensity. Everyone will be ready to go for next week. It is really zero in, no more mental errors, and just execution on every play.”