Pascack Hills has reached a state of growth.
After three years in the Ivy Division, the Broncos are moving back to mainstream competition in the Super Football Conference's American Red. The promotion comes after back-to-back division titles and the Broncos' winningest season in more than four decades.
For coach Evan Lampert, high finishes in the standings have equaled high numbers across the program. The Broncos plan to have three levels of football once again with upwards of 60 players on the roster. Lampert counts around 40 in the freshman and sophomore classes, alone.
"That was more than the total number when I first got the program," Lampert said. "I think we had 33. We pretty much doubled in three years and I think that was due to the Ivy and having success in a league where we could compete each day and each week."
Lampert ensures that there is more than enough equipment to go around in Montvale.
When he was hired in April 2021 – two months after the school adopted a new nickname – Lampert told his athletic director that he wanted to have at least 80 sets of helmets and shoulder pads on hand. It was an ambitious thought for any coach in the COVID era, never mind one at Pascack Hills after winless seasons in 2018 and 2020.
Yet since then, the Broncos have rejuvenated their program with the help of the Ivy schedule and some tough defense. Pascack Hills has allowed 13.04 points per game in the last three years under Lampert.
"We're in a different place," Lampert said. "When you're building a culture, it's a lot easier to buy into the culture when you win than if you lose. We were in pretty much every single game for three years. That right there brings excitement."
The tradition
Pascack Hills (8-2) wrapped up the 2023 season by beating Newark East Side in a crossover between first-place teams.
That victory clinched the third highest win total in program history, behind the 1978 squad (9-2) and the 1979 sectional-championship team (11-0) under former coach Bill Lally.
Both of Pascack Hills' sectional titles came as a member of North 1, Group 3. The other one came in 1968 before the current playoff era.
The challenge
Not only does Pascack Hills have to adapt to a new surrounding. It needs to do so quickly with a September schedule featuring its three toughest opponents.
The Broncos open the season at Mahwah, then host state champion Westwood the following game and take on Ramsey two weeks later.
Internally, Lampert said the message is to "attack the day" and not think too far ahead.
"It's going to be a major adjustment," Lampert said. "I think everybody in this program understands the challenge that's ahead of us. We've had success with what we're doing. I think the core values and the culture is there. So [we have to] follow our culture and do what we're supposed to do. The goal is to come into the building and win every day."
Expectations
Pascack Hills brings back five starters, including quarterback Connor Ohnikian. The senior accounted for 12 touchdowns last season and had four games with more than 100 yards as a rusher.
Senior Brendan Singleton returns for his third year starting at guard, and senior Samuel Lundgren is back to hold down the tight end position.
There is an open competition at running back, where St. Joseph junior transfer Gavin Ulanday could help.
On the defensive side, the Broncos are switching from a 4-4 defense to a 4-2-5 front and will be headlined by senior Josh Wright (LB/DE) and senior Jake Bugni (LB).
"They want to shock some people," Lampert said. "These guys like being counted out. It gives them a little chip on their shoulder. I think they're ready for the challenge. They're excited for the challenge."
Schedule
Sept. 6: at Mahwah
Sept. 13: vs. Westwood
Sept. 21: at Teaneck
Sept. 27: vs. Ramsey
Oct. 5: at Dwight Morrow
Oct. 10: vs. Dover
Oct. 18: at Dumont
Oct. 25: vs. Hoboken
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Pascack Hills football growing bigger and getting better | State of the Program
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