Chris App spent much of the last week doubting himself, doubting his passion, doubting his coaching methods. Just doubting in general.
It wasn’t just the four-game losing streak. Or his bout last winter with skin cancer. It was everything put together.
“Am I doing a disservice to these kids?” the longtime coach asked himself over and over.
His players answered the question Saturday afternoon, rallying from two touchdowns down to knock off host Port Richmond, 27-26, in PSAL City Championship division football.
It was App’s first victory over the Red Raiders since taking over at New Dorp in 1996. The Red Raiders are coached by Lou Vesce, who played for App at Lafayette.
“It was the best moment I ever had as a coach,” he said. “I couldn’t feel more happy for those kids. At halftime, when we were down two touchdowns, I said to them, ‘I always believed you had heart, now it’s time to show me your heart,’ and they did, they showed they had heart. … After the game, every kid came over and hugged me.”
Quarterback Matt Popovic threw touchdown passes to Elijah Bratcher and Nick Venier in the final stanza, leading the comeback. He also scored on a one-yard keeper in the third quarter and threw for 227 yards. Rob Schroeder paced Port Richmond (3-5), the defending PSAL city champion, with two touchdowns on the ground and 118 total yards.
It was the play of less-heralded guys that left a lasting impression on App. It was inexperienced special teamer Keith Banks making a tackle on the kickoff preceding Port Richmond’s final drive. It was Sergio Sullivan, known for his stone hands, corralling the game’s opening kickoff.
“I had a feeling today would be special,” App said. “We never gave up.”
App, 51, said his health scare over the summer added further importance to his job. It also made him look closer at his life. Although he is cancer free, there are days he fears the illness will return.
“I take a shower and I see a mark on my body and I got to worry about it, something I never had to worry about,” he said. “You look at yourself as being mortal.”
With the win, New Dorp improved to 4-4 on the season, bordering on the 16-team city championship playoffs. Last year, it lost on the final day of the regular season to Susan Wagner, and had to settle for the Bowl Division crown. This year, after Saturday’s emotional victory, the Central Cougars could be playoff bound, depending on next weekend’s result with the same team that knocked them out last year.
“Hopefully,” App said, “we’ll get in next week.”
