Pascack Valley Football fell to Northern Highlands, 14-7, on Friday night in a low-scoring contest that featured tons of punts and few fruitful offensive drives from either team.
Although it didn’t end in points, Valley’s first offensive drive of the game looked promising after its defense forced a three-and-out from the Highlanders. After marching down the field almost exclusively on run plays from QB Adam Shaw (So.) and RB Kevin Regula (Jr.), Valley had a drive that stalled out in the red zone. This forced K Evan Starr (Jr.) to attempt a 29-yard field goal, which missed short.
It’s also worth noting that on Valley’s first drive, a what-would’ve-been touchdown from Regula was called back due to a holding penalty on the Panthers.
In the first drive from either team that ended with points, a 35-yard reception from Highlanders WR Freddie Kanning (Sr.) set up a sneak from QB Nate Johnson (Jr.) just a few plays later to put Highlands on the board in the first quarter.
On Highlands’s next offensive drive, Kanning once again came up big for the Highlanders, with a 21-yard touchdown grab that put his team up 14-0 late in the second quarter. As good as the Highlands offense looked during these two drives, it couldn’t get much going after this.
The third quarter featured multiple three-and-outs and minimum ball movement from both offenses. A forced fumble by DB Marley Smith (So.) recovered by DB Jake Merlino (Sr.) deep in Highlanders’ territory kept Highlands from extending its lead to three possessions. While the Panthers’ offense couldn’t make much of the forced turnover, this play at least set the tone for Valley’s defense during the second half, which held the Highlanders scoreless throughout the third and fourth quarters.
Valley’s only points came on a four-yard rushing touchdown from Regula late in the fourth quarter, giving Valley hope of tying the game up at 14.
However, even after forcing a Highlanders’ punt and regaining possession with 80 yards to go and less than a minute remaining, Valley’s efforts fell short, as the Panthers lost to Northern Highlands, 14-7.
With the loss, Valley moved to an even 2-2 on the season. The team will travel to Demarest for its week five matchup on Friday, Sept. 22, at 7:00 p.m.
