Junior running back Jack Jankowsky showed why Coach Nielsen gave him an opportunity to display his running abilities against Ramapo last Friday night. In Pascack Valley’s (6-2) 42-21 loss to Ramapo (7-1), Jankowsky was given the ball 14 times and recorded 73 yards on the ground.

“We wanted to use him (Jankowsky),” Nielsen said, “The goal was both to use him and Andrew (Flores) tonight.”

Through the first six weeks of the season, Jankowsky did not see much varsity playing time, except in games with lopsided scores. In PV’s previous game against Passaic Valley, Jankowsky was given his first extended opportunity due to his team’s large lead late in the game. In the contest, Jankowsky had only eight carries, but ran for a total of 102 yards and a touchdown.

Fast-forward to the game against Ramapo, where Jankowsky looks to have earned himself a permanent spot in the PV backfield. He was used early and often in conjunction with the other main backs in the PV rushing attack, which includes seniors Andrew Flores and Jake Giambona.

Flores carried 13 times for 48 yards, while Giambona had 6 touches resulting in 64 yards and two touchdowns.

Jankowsky and Flores should continue to get the bulk of the workload as they are the “quicker” backs and used in the open field between the 20’s. Giambona, on the other hand, is the team’s “power” back and used mostly in the red zone. Normally, this results in less carries for Giambona compared to his counterparts, but he often punches in more touchdowns.

It will be interesting to see how the carries among these three will be distributed in future games, with the state playoffs right around the corner. With so many options, Nielsen could decide to ride the “hot hand” or try to keep the carries more evenly distributed.

The PV passing game totaled 184 yards, which actually outgained Ramapo’s passing attack, which only accumulated 132 yards. But PV quarterback Colin Dedrick also threw three interceptions, while Ramapo quarterback Keith Woetzel added 179 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown.

Junior tight end Phil Wong caught another touchdown pass in the matchup against Ramapo. Wong now has a touchdown reception in each of PV’s last three games.

Ramapo has now beaten PV two years in a row, which has not happened since Ramapo won the regular season matchups in 2009 and 2010. PV won all fours games while facing Ramapo between 2011 and 2013.

Predictions:

Week 8 (vs. Ramapo) Winner: Mike Zocco (based off of point differential)

Season Standings:

Mike Zocco: 10 points

Jake Aferiat: 9 points

Evan Jones: 8 points

Kyle Comito: 4 points

Jaimie Smith and Bobby Saul: 3 points

Claudia Ralph: 2 points

Calvin Ralph: 1 point

everyone else: 0 points

Celebrity Winner:

Ken DelSanto (Streak: 1 game)