In its season-opener, Pascack Valley fell to Ramsey by a score of 35-0. Although the Panthers won the turnover battle, having two turnovers to the Rams’ one, they failed to get going on the offensive end. 

“I thought we gave some good efforts,” Coach Len Cusumano said. “We had a ton of defensive stops where we could have come back and converted, but we didn’t. Offensively we did not help our defense very much.”

The offensive struggles for Valley started on its first play from scrimmage, after quarterback Jake Crawbuck threw a tipped interception that ended in Dillon Kelly’s hands. As the game continued, so did Kelly’s success on both sides of the ball: he broke the game open with a 60-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to make it 14-0 Ramsey. Overall, Kelly finished with 165 total yards and two receiving touchdowns.

On third-and-eleven, Dillon Kelly takes the screen pass to the house making it 14-0 Ramsey. pic.twitter.com/lOQWkdxdR2

— PV Student Publication Sports (@pvsportscenter) September 2, 2022

The Panthers’ defense certainly gave the offense chances to make something happen, as it forced two fumbles—including one that gave Valley possession in its opponent’s territory.

Additionally, after a long 20-yard reception from Conor Higgins that put Valley in the red zone, the home team was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. 

Ramsey’s offense was firing on all cylinders Friday night, scoring three touchdowns in the first half. Quarterback Robert Fuerst finished with 367 total yards and three touchdown passes.

Valley gained another chance to score some points after a Ramsey defensive back interfered with Valley receiver Danny Kastanis’s catch, setting Valley up in the red zone. However, the Rams’ defense held up strong.

The Panther defense made some other big plays besides the two fumble recoveries, with Joey Von Tobel and Nick Bruzzi each recording a half sack, and Colin Foley and Owen Deady making some big tackles in the middle of the field.

Sophomore Kevin Regula, who started at running back, unfortunately suffered an injury in the middle of the second quarter that sidelined him for the rest of the game. Owen Deady continued at running back for the remainder of the game. 

Valley’s student section was cheering throughout the game and never failed to make its presence known.

The loss drops Valley to 0-1 on the young season while Ramsey moves to 1-0. The Panthers will take on the Spartans (0-1) at Paramus this Friday in a chance to even up its record.