Savariego’s 89-yard kickoff return propels Valley past Montville in North 2, Group 3 quarterfinals

Ethan Perlman, Assistant Sports Editor|November 5, 2021

Noah Silver

Valley and Montville walk out ahead of their North 2, Group 3 quarterfinals matchup.

Nick Savariego had himself a day against Montville, scoring one touchdown, an 89-yard kickoff return, and having one interception and many big passing plays. Savariego finished with 209 total yards.

“I was not expecting that [89-yard kickoff return], ” Savariego said. “I saw the biggest hole of my life and just ran, [and I made sure] no one was catching me.”

The Pascack Valley Panthers took on the Montville Mustangs on Friday night in the North 2, Group 3 quarterfinals. No.4 Valley and No.5 Montville came into the game with the same record of 6-3. Valley will play No.1 Cranford on Friday, November 12th.

Valley was hungry for a win after losing their final regular season game in a closely contested match. Although Valley fell  to an undefeated Ramsey, Valley’s defense came out to play, holding Ramsey’s offense to a total of 7 points through three quarters.

This defense continued from Valley in Friday’s game against Montville. In potentially their last game of the season, their defense came up with big stop after big stop.

An interception by Savariego highlighted the plays from the defense; however, Nick Bruzzi and Steven Demboski dominated the interior line, and linebackers Nick Messina and Matt Bell made some important tackles. Coach Cusumano praises the defense for their big plays Friday night.

Valley only allowed 17 points to a very high powered Montville offense. Quarterback Triston Perez was a problem for Valley, both running and passing wise. Perez ran for 2 touchdowns and finished with 222 total yards.

Montville jumped out to a 3-0 lead off of a field goal, yet Valley responded with 17 unanswered points, including Joaquin Grijalva’s first field goal this season, which was converted to give Valley a 10-3 lead.

“[I] give credit to our special teams. Joaquin did a great job converting those field goals,” Coach Len Cusumano said. “We didn’t give him a lot of opportunities during the season and he really executed for us.”

Dylan Hutchinson and Conor Higgins were both able to make their impact on the game, scoring back-to-back touchdowns. 

Hutchinson and Messina collaborated for a Valley trick play fourth down conversion which led to Hutchinson’s first touchdown of the game. 

Immediately following Savariego’s interception, Ethan Silcher threw a ball straight into Montville’s defensive back, Joe Rehberg’s hands. Despite the interception, and Montville scoring directly from it, Silcher still did not disappoint, having 230 total yards and 2 touchdown passes. 

Montville did make a little comeback of their own. In the fourth quarter, Perez ran for a touchdown and then dumped one off for Dominic LaScala to convert the 2-point conversion. Valley recovered Montville’s attempt at an onside kick, and the comeback hopes ended.

Messina did not have a rushing touchdown, which is only the second time that has happened this season, but he still provided the needed leadership along with fellow captain Steven Demboski. In the frigid weather conditions and this being perhaps their final game, Demboski and Messina gave the team the leadership they had been giving all season. Messina finished with 138 total yards.

No.1 Cranford defeated No.8 Demarest by a score of 56-26 on Friday, so Valley will play Cranford in the North 2, Group 3 semifinals next Friday night.