What a difference three weeks make, as River Dell avenged a defeat to Paramus by beating them, 28-7, leading 7-0 at the half and scoring three touchdowns to make it 28-0, before Paramus scored a late touchdown.
River Dell scored on their first drive when Jack Gillies found Jack Racine, who came down with the ball between two defenders for a 2-yard score. The Hawks moved the ball on their next possession, but Stephen Prado intercepted for Paramus. The Spartans drove down the field behind the running of Kyle Jacob, getting a first down on the 12. But their fourth down pass was stopped short of a first down, giving River Dell the ball.
There wasn’t much offense in the second quarter, as the teams exchanged punts. River Dell had an opportunity at midfield when Paramus fumbled a punt, but could not get anywhere.
Paramus had a chance to strike in the third quarter, advancing the ball to the River Dell 22, but Trevor Bopp’s pass was intercepted in the end zone by Dave Fletcher. After a Paramus offside penalty gave River Dell a first down on the Paramus 27, Mike Sirico found Racine, who ran through the Paramus defense for a touchdown. Paramus was faced with a fourth down on their 43, but their pass fell incomplete with 1:28 left in the quarter.
Behind the running of Fletcher, River Dell moved the ball and added to their lead when Fletcher had a 2-yard touchdown less than a minute into the fourth quarter, as he charged through a hole created by Hiyuma Nagai and Jake Manning into the end zone. Fletcher struck again, scoring on a 70-yard run down the right sideline in front of the River Dell bench to make it 28-0. Paramus scored a touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
River Dell learned from their defeat from three weeks ago and played a strong game. Their defense played very well, with many gold helmets surrounding Paramus ball carriers. Fletcher was a force in the second half; he had two touchdowns and ran well, but made a key play in the game when he intercepted in the end zone. Paramus could have tied the game, but the play kept the Hawks in front. Racine is another one who makes plays. His first touchdown was between defenders and his second was a determined run through traffic.
Now River Dell plays the winner of Saturday night’s Ramapo-Sparta game.