Pascack Valley football routs River Dell to set up division-title showdown next week

HILLSDALE − Junior quarterback Adam Shaw raised his game, and Pascack Valley, to another level against River Dell.

Shaw threw for career highs of 171 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a 35-7 win Friday night in the Super Football Conference Patriot Blue Division.

“We knew that we were a team that could pass, and run at the same time, and tonight we showed it off,” said the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Shaw.

Shaw threw TD passes of 41 and 38 yards to junior receiver Dante Dacosta to stake Pascack Valley (6-1) to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

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He threw TD passes of 14 and 40 yards to senior receiver Michael Fronzaglia, the latter of which came early in the fourth quarter for a 35-0 lead that triggered the running-clock rule.

Shaw also showed he can run with speed and power. He carried seven times for 102 yards, including a 35-yard TD in the second quarter to provide a 28-0 halftime lead.

“The kid works every single week to get better and be the best quarterback and teammate that he can be,” Pascack Valley coach Len Cusumano said of the second-year starter. “And we’re very happy that he’s a part of the program and he’s a great team player."

River Dell (6-2) moved the ball much better in the second half and scored in the fourth on senior running back Mason Nagle's 1-yard run.

What it means

This is arguably North Jersey’s most competitive rivalry, and Pascack Valley now leads the all-time series, 20-19-1.

The Panthers won the previous two matchups and this is the first time they won three consecutive games against the Golden Hawks in a series nicknamed the "Rumble For The Rail."

“It was just an outstanding effort in all three phases of the game,” said Cusumano, whose Panthers are ranked No. 3 in the North Jersey Public Top 20 and host No. 1 Old Tappan (7-0) next Friday. “River Dell is a tremendous program, we’ve got great respect for their players and coaches, and I’m just really proud of our players and coaches today.”

By the numbers

Pascack Valley amassed 317 total yards, including 236 in the first half. Shaw completed 9 of 11 passes for 171 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. Shaw completed his first six passes. Over the first two quarters, he carried the ball six times for 88 yards and a score.

“Adam played lights out tonight,” said Dante Ricciardi, the Panthers’ senior lineman and linebacker. “This is the best I’ve seen him perform, not only on his legs, but in the air, he was incredible.”

“We’re happy to have him,” Cusumano said of Shaw. “He’s a really versatile player, one of the most versatile kids we’ve had in a while.”

River Dell had 125 total yards, with almost all of it coming in the second half. Golden Hawks quarterbacks had little time to throw and combined for 46 yards passing.

“It’s amazing having them back me up,” Shaw said of Ricciardi and the Panthers’ defense. “When I do well, they can just do their thing. What else can you ask for?”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Pascack Valley football routs River Dell to set up division-title showdown next week