Pascack Valley Football Team started its season with a 31-14 win over Rancocas Valley at the Battle of the Beach football event in Egg Harbor, this past Saturday, Aug. 31.

QB Adam Shaw (Jr.) led the way for the Panthers. He completed 14 of his 18 passes, had 133 passing yards, 85 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns.

Rancocas Valley had a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after scoring a 71-yard touchdown.

Valley RB Kai Smith (Jr.) got Valley on the board with a six-yard touchdown run with 6:40 on the clock in the second quarter. 

After forcing a three and out, the Panthers got the ball back in scoring territory with just under two minutes in the half. Adam Shaw finished the drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Panthers a 14-7 lead with 33 seconds left in the half.

On the pursuing kickoff, Valley’s Smith forced a fumble and recovered it, returning the ball to the Panthers. After a 23-yard catch by RB Kevin Regula (Sr.), he punched it in with a one-yard touchdown run, growing Valley’s lead to 21-7.

In the third quarter, Shaw extended the Valley lead to 28-7 with a 38-yard rushing touchdown. 

Rancocas Valley had a 29-yard touchdown pass of their own, bringing the game back into a two-possession game, in the third quarter. The score remained 28-14 at the end of the third quarter.

The only score in the fourth quarter came off a 30-yard field goal by K Evan Starr (Sr.). 

Regula earned the MVP honors for the game with his 79 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, and one touchdown. 

Valley will take on Westwood, last year’s Group Two Champions, at home at 6:00 p.m. this Saturday for the second game of the season.