Photos by Zach Gasperino

The QB/WR duo of Jake Crawbuck and Conor Higgins showed up big time in No.2 Pascack Valley’s 28-20 victory over No.3 Demarest in the quarterfinal round of the North 1, Group 3 NJSIAA Invitational Tournament on Thursday night. Overall, the duo tallied six receptions that went for 84 yards along with two TDs, including one for 43 yards down the left sideline, late in the first half.

A big return from Deady sets the Panthers up in Demarest territory. A few plays later its Conor Higgins with a 43-yard touchdown that makes it 14-6, Valley, 1:02 remaining in Q2. pic.twitter.com/feT0iOPEiT

— Valley Echo Sports (@pvsportscenter) October 27, 2022

“[Crawbuck and Higgins] have consistently developed their connection throughout the season,” Coach Cusumano said. “Since June in our practices, our seven-on-sevens, through August, and each week of the season they’ve just gotten better and better with their connection, and I’m proud of them for doing so.”

Although Higgins was Crawbuck’s biggest target, he also made connections with Owen Deady and Brandon Flanagan in the first and third quarters, respectively, for TDs.

On the Demarest side, it was the one-two punch of Sr. RBs Chris Short and Joe Carpanzano who did most of the damage on offense as the pair combined for 145 yards (80 for Short & 65 for Carpanzano) and three TDs.

“Give [Demarest] credit, they came out pounding the ball, they’re very big up front and they ran the ball really well,” Cusumano said.

The Panthers defense also had a big impact on the game, as it forced four turnovers and was able to come up with some big stops including the game-winning one. The game-winning stop included a sack by Brandon Flanagan on first down, a pass breakup by Brayden Grier on second, and an interception by Owen Deady which returned possession to Valley and allowed it to run the clock out.

Crawbuck punches it out of Short’s hands and Valley recovers. The Panthers will take the ball right by midfield after the short intermission between Q3 and Q4. pic.twitter.com/DfuEkbG2LE

— Valley Echo Sports (@pvsportscenter) October 27, 2022

This all came after backup Norsemen QB Liam Zelman orchestrated a quick five-play drive late in the fourth quarter that made it 28-20, after the successful two-point conversion. The Norsemen trekked all the way down the field late in the fourth quarter, after a 42-yard completion to Short. This setup Carpanzano for the 6-yard TD.

Zelman took over under center after a sack by both Quinn Flanagan and Evan Mcintyre forced starting QB Dan Argenziano out of the game early in the fourth quarter.

Valley had a chance to respond after the Norsemen made it a one-score game, but an early-down sack put the Panthers in a hole that the offense was never able to climb out of and eventually led to Brandon Flanagan punting and Demarest regaining possession with about a minute and a half left on the clock. Demarest was unable to put together a scoring drive, allowing the Panthers to capture the win.

Valley will move on to the semi-final round against No.1 Passaic Valley in the North 1, Group 3 NJSIAA Invitational Tournament at Passaic Valley on Thursday at 6 p.m.