Gallery • 21 Photos

Curstine Guevarra

Len Cusumano, PV's new head coach, leading the Indians on to the field against River Dell in his first game.

Friday nights game against River Dell meant more to PV than just the season opener.

After three seasons of a familiar face at Quarterback in Colin Dedrick, Joe Campagna was now under center.  He was accompanied by the face of the new PV era, Len Cusumano, following the retirement of legendary PV coach Craig Nielsen.

Valley, coming in to the game, knew that D.J. Nimphius’s football team would prove to be a tough competitor, even without star quarterback Dave Estevez.  The team had just come off of a North 1, Group 3 Championship appearance.

Even without Estevez, the Golden Hawks managed to pull out a 21-14 victory over PV, ending Cusumano’s chances at starting 1-0.

River Dell did not disappoint, getting off to a hot start, crossing the goal line on a read option touchdown, giving them an early seven-point lead.

But Pascack Valley’s offense came out of the gate hot also. Senior star Matt Urrea had a 40-yard run, carrying the Indians inside the opposing team’s 40-yard line. On the ensuing play, Joe Campagna threw his first varsity pass, getting intercepted.

Then, Campagna on his second ever varsity pass attempt, found senior wide receiver Matt Novakowski for a 35-yard touchdown, the first career varsity touchdown for both.

Eventually in the second River Dell drove down the field and got to the 8-yard line and on 4th-and-1, Phil Wong jumped offside, River Dell scored, going up 14-7.

PV, with the ball once again, fed Matt Urrea, who brought the team to the 25.  After a run of 15 yards by Jack Jankowsky, the team was at the 10.  Urrea punched it in at the goaline to even the score at 14.

After an uneventful third quarter, the fourth quarter opened with the game winning touchdown for River Dell, with about 11 minutes remaining.

This Friday PV takes on Northern Valley Old Tappan in Old Tappan at 7:00.  It figures to be another tough matchup for Valley, as Old Tappan won the 2015 North 1, Group 4 state title for the first time in 30 years.

Joe Campagna finished his first varsity game going 1/4 for 35 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Phil Wong, Justin Nicita, Austin Piorkowski, and Hugh Cassidy contributed a sack each.

Penalties plagued the Indians, as they got flagged for ten total penalties throughout the game.

Starting center Mike Leicht, who sat out Friday’s opener with a shoulder injury, is expected play this week against Old Tappan. 

Matt Urrea finished with 158 yards on the ground, one touchdown, and took snaps at quarterback when the Indians employed the wildcat.