Losing can take its toll on a team, both physically and mentally. But Pascack Valley, didn’t give up and let losing take its toll. Instead the Indians fought hard, but it wasn’t enough.

“Our guys did fight, they battled to the very end, but they just made a couple more plays than us”, coach Len Cusumano said of his team’s performance.

Despite the Indians trying their very best, they were defeated 42-14 Friday night at the hands of Wayne Hills, to fall to 0-5 on the year.

The Patriots offense was clicking all night, as they racked up 42 points on the backs of their best playmakers. Quarterback Brendan DeVera threw for 203 yards and 5 touchdowns, albeit with one interception by PV’s Josh Tillis. Wideouts Hunter Hayek and Evidence Njoku had 2 touchdown catches each, and running back Luca Grave had 173 yards on the ground.

With an injury stricken offense, missing running back Jack Jankowsky, and wide receivers Kyle Alvarado and Matt Novakowski, the Indians relied heavily on Matt Urrea to run the football. Urrea was up to the challenge, as he rushed for both of Valley’s touchdowns and had a big 64 yard run early on, including 103 yards in the first half.

Another main reason for the defeat Friday night was the struggles of the PV special teams. Valley had troubles with this phase throughout the game, mainly on punts that gave Wayne Hills excellent field position, and fielding punts was an issue on multiple occasions as well.

“Special teams is always one phase we have got to get better with,” Cusumano acknowledged.

The Indians suffered yet another a big blow to their offense when sophomore Joe Campagna was injured in the first half and didn’t return. He hurt his ankle, and was seen in crutches after the game. Matt Urrea and Sam Cassidy each spent time at quarterback after Campagna was hurt.  

For PV, though, the game was about more than the result. It was played in honor of former player Alex Albert, who passed away from cancer last year.

Cusumano was an assistant at Valley when Albert played at PV.
“Alex was an extremely special part of of our program. Alex was one of the toughest kids ever to come through Pascack Valley. He was one of those kids you look up to as far as the toughness level, and battling day in and day out, not just in football, but in life. And he battled for his life, until the very last day.”