Execution was the name of the game on Friday night at Pascack Valley. DePaul simply did it better than PV.

The Indians faced Kareem Walker, the highly praised running back, and his DePaul teammates. Walker rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns, including a couple of late, long, back-breaking bursts, as the Spartans prevailed 35-14.

“They got off the ball better than us,” said PV head coach Nielsen.

DePaul jumped out to an early lead in the first half, including two TD runs from Walker. The Indians were down 14-0 going into halftime.

Valley had opportunities throughout the first half to put points on the board. In the first quarter, Valley turned the ball over on downs inside the 20 yard line. Just before halftime, junior safety Mike Pimpinella intercepted DePaul quarterback Ryan Adzima and returned it for a touchdown, only to be called back because of a personal foul penalty on the Indians.

The Indian offense was also found out of their comfort zone. The DePaul defense shut down the running game for Valley as running back Jorge Cortes was held to 28 yards on 10 carries.

“But we didn’t quit,” assured Nielsen.

A spectacular throw from Colin Dedrick to Greg Collier led to a 42-yard touchdown pass in the 4th quarter, which revived the Indians’ offense, to put the Indians down 21-6. Later the Indians scored again on a pass from Dedrick, this time to Jake Giambona for a 56 yard touchdown and Jack Madden caught the two point conversion to make the score 28-14.

After Giambona touchdown, the Indians recovered an onside kick and the team had perfect field position at the DePaul 45-yard line with about five minutes left to accomplish a miracle of a comeback. The drive was to no avail but the onside recover shows how close this game really was late in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Walker was having a field day of his own. After the Indians first touchdown, Walker broke for a 97 yard touchdown run  to make the game 28-6. Then after a Dedrick interception, Walker then broke for a 70 yard touchdown run to blow the game open at 35-14. Despite the disappointing result, Nielsen is, “not concerned” when it comes to games in the future.

Pascack Valley has now played possibly the two toughest teams that they will face all year. With that in mind, the Indians held their own in both games (although more in the 2nd half tonight) and proved once again that they’re a force to be reckoned with.

PV will look to bounce back on the road next week against West Milford.