Pascack Valley Football moved to 4-2 on the season with a 26-17 comeback win over Montville on Friday, Oct. 7.
QB Adam Shaw (So.) had his strongest game of the season for Valley, going 13-15 with 152 passing yards, 33 rushing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and one interception.
Both teams were off to a slow start offensively, as the score was 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Montville connected on a 58-yard touchdown pass to give the Mustangs the lead, 7-0, with 11:14 left in the second quarter.
Then, in a Valley-drive down the field, on Montville’s 25-yard line, the Panthers took a gamble on fourth down but could not convert.
Montville gained momentum and started the drive off with a 47-yard pass and then finished off the drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown, giving themselves a 14-0 lead with 4:15 left in the second quarter.
Valley was forced to a three and out, but, on punt, the Montville returner fumbled the football, and Valley recovered it on the 50-yard line.
With 2 minutes left in the half, Shaw threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to WR Dante DaCosta (So.) to cut the lead in half. At the half, Valley was trailing 14-7.
At the start of the second half, Shaw connected with a 30-yard pass to WR Michael Fronzaglia (Jr.) to start the drive and finished the drive with a 30-yard touchdown screen pass to WR Ashton Kazinci (Jr.). A failed point after attempt had the Panthers still trailing, 14-13, with 8:02 left in the third quarter.
On Montville’s next drive, LB Colin Krause (Jr.) added to the Mustang’s turnovers with an interception. Then on Valley’s first play of the drive, FB Colin Foley (Sr.) had a 15-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Panthers its first lead of the day, 20-14.
At the end of the third quarter, both teams’ drives resulted in back-to-back interceptions; the score was 20-14 at the end of the third quarter.
When the Mustangs got the ball back, they drove down the field but only showed for three points, cutting the lead to three with 8:51 left in the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Valley had a 4th and 2 on its own 45-yard line. Valley chose not to punt, running the ball to result in a Panther first down. In the following play, RB Kevin Regula (Jr.) put on the spin cycle running for a 50-yard touchdown, giving PV a 26-17 lead after a failed PAT with 5:15 left in the game.
Valley’s defense held on to win the game, only giving up three points in the second half, which advanced the Panthers record to 4-2.
Valley will take on River Dell on Friday at 6pm, as the Panthers look to beat the Hawks in back-to-back seasons.
