Flanagan’s touchdown with three seconds left in the game leads to Pascack Valley’s victory
After Sr. TE/DE Brandon Flanagan’s touchdown with three seconds left in the game, Pascack Valley opted for a two-point conversion with no time left on the clock. The Panthers won the game 22-21 over Passaic Valley, advancing the team to the NJSIAA North, Group 3 Invitational final round.
The Pascack Valley Football team extended its season after defeating Passaic Valley in a 22-21 thriller. They will play Summit next Thursday at Pascack Valley.
Despite usually being on the receiving end of the pass, Sr. WR Conor Higgins had the intention of passing when he took the flip from Sr. QB/S Jake Crawbuck on Valley’s two-point conversion on the last play of the game. Higgins was able to evade the sack and find Sr. TE/DE Brandon Flanagan for the two-point score, securing the Pascack Valley Panthers’ semi-final round win (22-21) in the NJSIAA North, Group 3 Invitational Tournament.
This catch wasn’t Flanagan’s only important one of the night. With three seconds remaining, he jumped up and caught the ball on Passaic Valley’s six-yard line. Pascack Valley called timeout to stop the clock, which allowed So. RB/MLB Kevin Regula to rush in, bringing the Panthers within one. Instead of electing to kick the extra point and chance sending the game into overtime, Coach Len Cusumano elected to go for two with hopes of coming back to the Valley with a win.
The first half was a defensive battle for both teams and an offensive struggle for both as well. Pascack Valley’s Crawbuck snagged an interception in the first half, while also passing the team’s only touchdown that half: for 17 yards to Sr. WR Christian Vargas. The first half ended 7-6, in favor of Passaic Valley.
With Passaic Valley starting on the one-yard line at the beginning of the second half, the Hornets capitalized on the field position with a touchdown by Jr. RB/MLB Brandon Veneziano. Pascack Valley responded with Sr. WR/CB Danny Kastanis scoring on a 23-yard touchdown, thrown by Jake Crawbuck. Regula ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game at 14.
While his impact on offense was clear, Crawbuck’s two crucial interceptions kept the momentum from swinging the Hornets’ way—while also giving Pascack Valley an important field position.
Passaic Valley’s Brandon Veneziano had a big game as well, tallying two total touchdowns, including one that put the Hornets up seven with 1:02 left in the game.
Pascack Valley’s Flanagan’s touchdown, with three seconds left in the game—followed by a two-point conversion with no time left of the clock—sealed the win for Valley, advancing the team’s season and the Panthers to the NJSIAA North, Group 3 Invitational final round against Summit, next Saturday at Summit.
Ethan Perlman has been a part of the Valley Echo since his freshman year and has written multiple articles, including one that was included in the Pascack...
