Old and new traditions complete “Death Valley”

Claudia Ralph, Sports Editor|October 16, 2015

Video Compliments of Avery Zaretsky

“Pascack Valley couldn’t be prouder.”

The crowd goes wild. The energy is almost tangible under the Friday night lights. The Pascack Valley football field is electric on a Friday night and not because of the lights, it is the fans themselves that create the energy. The pride that each student in the stands feels is infectious. The sense of unity among the Pascack Valley student section is one envied by schools all across New Jersey.

This year comes with new traditions for the student section. As a student body very rich in tradition, it is natural for new ideas to be tested and for some of them to stick, but this year’s senior class is on a mission to make sure that these traditions are here to stay.

“Death Valley” is the now the official name brainstormed by senior Jimmy Spillane, one of the most prominent and dedicated members of the student section said that they were going for an intimidating nickname and the Clemson’s Stadium “Death Valley” was the perfect fit.

Another added tradition is the walk down from the tennis courts. Senior Matt Truglio shared that this was modeled after the “Crusader Crazies” of Bergen Catholic who run from the Oradell Swim Club before every home game. Spillane said that this was actually thought of the week before the West Milford game on September 26, but because of homecoming was not debuted until the following week. Truglio and Spillane both stressed that they wanted a way for the student section to come in together and that is just what then walk down does.

The newest fan favorite, for students and parents alike is senior Avery Zaretsky’s photoshopped signs. The first one made was of senior quarterback Colin Dedrick fully decked out in fireman attire, which is a play on his nickname “Fireman Dedrick.” And recently printed poster with seniors Joe Figueroa and James Poggiogalle’s face on hogs, brought out when the team “releases the hogs” also known as the defensive line.

Zaretsky said he has, “no plans to make anymore signs, but there might be more in the future.”

The GoPro videos on the “Death Valley” YouTube Channel have also been a huge hit, giving fans an inside look into the first few rows of the student section as well as people that couldn’t make it to the game.

But one tradition stands tall, going all out for every single game. Cheering loud and proud for the Indians. Senior Brooke Matar stressed the importance of coming out a supporting the team every game, “it is just a good way to feel apart of the school community. I also think it just makes you proud to go where you do. It makes you feel positive and excited.”

Senior Alex Borrelli breaks out her green megaphone for every sporting event, not just football, but Borrelli does something different than other seniors. She goes into the middle of the stands in an effort to get everyone involved.

“I go into the middle of the stands with [senior Roberto Sembiante] among the underclassmen to get everyone involved.”

And everyone echoed the inclusion of the underclassmen across the board. Truglio spreads the word all week and Spillane’s emails can always be found in email inboxes by the middle of the week.

“I wanted them to be involved, everyone wanted to get involved and get as loud as they could,” Spillane said.

Senior Grace Hahn stressed the importance of family in the Pascack Valley community; “we are all a family, when it comes to events like these it is when we all come together.”

Spillane called it “unity.” Something that makes Pascack Valley a special place. The student section is place where everyone comes together to embrace that unity, that school pride. And football season is not the end for “Death Valley.”

Borrelli thinks, “I think it is important for every sport, I like going to all of them.” Borrelli has actually had judges at gymnastics meets compliment her on her school spirit and pride. Truglio said that this year is “more of a family” than years before and that people will be coming out to basketball and hockey games this winter.

Hahn said that, “it is nothing different because it is a different sport.”

But something doesn’t change for “Death Valley,” with or without an official name. After every game, everyone lines up, and the cue is given to start the “Everywhere We Go” chant because truly school pride is a part of the culture at Pascack Valley, a part of the community. And a Friday night football game is a testament to the statement that “our blood runs green and white.”

TONIGHT:  Students, be up at the tennis courts at 5:25 p.m. to join “Death Valley” as they walk into the student section for tonight’s marquee matchup against Northern Valley Old Tappan. It is the biggest game of the regular season. As always follow @pvsmokesignal on Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram for live updates, photos and videos.