ByAnonymous, Anonymous
The Hillel Hurricanes scored a decisive 51-0 victory over the Posnack Rams in the third annual Kiddush Cup football game held at Florida International University’s North Stadium.
After scoring seven touchdowns under the leadership of star quarterback Jake Najjar, the Hurricanes now stand 3-0 all-time in the annual homecoming game between the two Jewish day schools - The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School and the David Posnack Jewish Day School.
“The Kiddush Cup is a fantastic opportunity for our schools to show off their athletic ability and highlight the fact that Hillel and Posnack are among the few Jewish high schools in the country currently playing 11-man tackle football,” said Nick Hinrichsen, head of Hillel’s upper school.
“Hillel helps its students define their Jewish identity as it relates to all aspects of their lives, even on the playing field, and I think that really came across during the game.”
The Hurricanes (3-1) momentum started to build on the first drive as Najjar ran for 37 yards on the opening drive, including a one-yard touchdown he scored on a quarterback sneak.
Sophomore receiver Nathaniel Rub, who had two catches for 48 yards total, caught a 20-yard pass from Najjar giving the Hurricanes their second TD of the game. Najjar picked up his third touchdown early in the second quarter on a five-yard run.
Senior running back Michael Tarich, who ran for 35 yards on seven carries, picked up the fourth touchdown for the Hurricanes on a two-yard-run.
After leading 30-0 at half-time, Najjar came back in the third quarter to score the fifth game touchdown on a 52-yard run.
Sophomore receiver Issac Benoliel caught a 60-yard pass for the sixth touchdown of the game, with Hillel’s seventh and final touchdown coming on a 50-yard run by sophomore running back Jacobo Benasayag, who had a game total of 80 yards on five carries.
Najjar led Hillel with 168 passing yards and 107 rushing yards on seven carries.
Senior running back Benjy Steiner led Posnack (0-4) with 123 rushing yards on 16 carries.
“Everyone’s play was really outstanding. As a team, we’ve been working so hard this year and it all came together today. We’re hoping we can use this victory to inspire us going forward,” said Najjar.
The annual homecoming game is played in conjunction with the Jewish holiday of Succot, also known as the Festival of Booths and the Feast of Tabernacles. The school day was dubbed “Blue Ribbon Day” and Hillel students, faculty and staff showed their school spirit by donning blue.
The school's campus along 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, was also wrapped in a gigantic blue ribbon in honour of Hillel being named the only Jewish 2011 National Blue Ribbon School among more than 300 independent and public schools around the country to receive the distinction.