Hillsborough High School’s bleachers were packed with vibrant shades of red, white, and blue awaiting the whistle blow to mark the first football game of the 2025 season Friday, Sept.12. Die-hard fans were dressed up as George Washington or The Statue of Liberty while others were covered in paint. “My favorite thing about football games is being able to interact with my peers and have fun because we can all come together and go on the stands,” Junior Bella Hernandez said.
Hillsborough, whose season record is 1-4, was defeated by the 2-2 Ridge team with the final score totaling 28-7. Hillsborough Football Coach, Coach Kevin Carty said, “I don’t see this loss as characteristic because I think we have a disciplined group of guys and guys that were really well prepared but we didn’t perform as we hoped.”
To begin with, the dance team started off with the speakers blaring “All The Lights” by Kanye West and Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” as the dancers leapt to perform their routine. “It’s so exciting, I love football games and to witness the football players play, the student section, and my family watching me, being by my very close friends, it is very fun and very cool to represent Hillsborough,” junior Sophia Bianco said.
As the clock ticked during the first quarter, Hillsborough, stats of 1-4, attempted to hold their ground. However, midway through the quarter Ridge at 2-2 got a head start leading the game with a 20-yard running touchdown winding up with the score 7-0. Hillsborough continued to keep their focus, eager to score themselves. “Out of halftime we didn’t really quit, which I liked we didn’t give up.” senior Devon Khurana said. “We fought till the end and people showed good effort at the end of the game,” he said.
As the second quarter rolled around, quarterback Devon Khurana caught the football and threw a 5-yard pass to senior wide receiver Shane Khurana, but was tackled at the 47-yard line. Devon Khurana continued to throw to fellow players, but was not successful.
That is until the fourth quarter when Devon Khurana made a pass to junior wide receiver Sanjay Mills and secured a 60-yard touch down and junior kicker Nick Schmitt scored an extra point. Schmitt said, “Some key moments from Friday’s game were when Sanjay made that bobble catch off the other team and scored the touchdown, and I went out there and got my job done.”
Despite this, Ridge eventually gained four more touchdowns throughout the quarters raising the score to 28-7 which resulted in Hillsborough’s defeat. “I mean we lost, so that’s kind of bad, but it gave us something to work on as a team,” Mills said.
Coach Carty noted the team’s discipline and preparation in his assessment of the game. “We struggled equally across the board in this one, and I think that’s why our guys are pretty frustrated about it and that’s why they’re excited to come out and play again Friday,” Carty said.
Hillsborough will continue their 3-5 season at an away game against Hunterdon Central Friday at 7 p.m.
