Portsmouth football had two missed kicks in an overtime loss in Week 1, and the one-point defeat to South Kingstown was just the start of their troubles. They needed to find a reliable kicker, and that hero arrived in an unlikely form - Cam Ruggieri, their baseball star, who stepped up to the plate in Week 3 and delivered a game-winning 28-yard field goal to lift Portsmouth to a 24-21 victory over Hendricken, ending their 9-year drought against the Hawks.

A Clutch Performance When It Mattered Most

Overcoming Early Setbacks

The Patriots' kicking woes continued into Week 2, as they dropped another 1-point decision to Cranston West after a failed 2-point conversion attempt. It was a devastating start to the season, but it also presented an opportunity for an unlikely hero to emerge.

Cam Ruggieri Steps Up

Cam Ruggieri, Portsmouth's baseball star, wasn't even a kicker in August, but when his friends on the football team called, he answered the bell. On Friday night in Warwick, against powerhouse Hendricken, Ruggieri was the hero, going 3-for-3 on PATs and drilling the game-winning 28-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Patriots to a 24-21 victory.

A Signature Win for the Program

The Patriots hadn't beaten Hendricken since 2012, and this win was a long time coming. Head coach Keith MacDonald praised Ruggieri's composure, saying, "I said that I am so proud of you, and I hope you're proud of yourself because you worked hard and you delivered. And he goes, 'Coach, I wasn't even nervous.'"

A Team Effort

But the Patriots' victory wasn't just about Ruggieri's heroics. It was a true team effort, with contributions from all sides of the ball. MacDonald was even forced into a post-game dance celebration by his players, a testament to the team's camaraderie and commitment to one another.

Overcoming Hendricken's Dominance

Hendricken has long been the dominant force in Rhode Island high school football, and the Patriots have often come up short against them. But this time, they were able to match the Hawks' depth and intensity, changing out 6-7 players from offense to defense, a strategy that paid dividends in the second half.

A Dramatic Finish

The game came down to the wire, with Hendricken tying the score at 21-21 with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter. But Portsmouth never relinquished possession, marching down the field for the game-winning drive, setting up Ruggieri's heroics as time expired."He can eat anywhere he wants in Portsmouth right now for free," MacDonald said of his newfound kicking star.