PASCACK VALLEY—The 4th Annual Moms Charity Flag Football game is in the books, and what a game it was. When the dust settled, the Hillsdale Lady Hawks were four-time champions — this time brushing back newcomers Tiki’s Turkeys of Oradell, Nov. 26 at Pascack Valley High School, 36–6.
In concurrent play at Emerson High School, the Emerson Mamaliers took on the River Edge Pink Zone in a first Black Friday Football Fundraiser, and came away with the decisive win, 27-6.
This wasn’t dainty play. One Hillsdale brawler came away with a possible ligament tear on the inside of a knee; another suffered a sprained ankle.
And on one offensive move, Emerson plowed into River Edge, sending one of their players off the field with a reported fractured tibia.
All teams played for charity. Hillsdale raised $3,500 for Helping Hand Food Pantry at Hillsdale United Methodist Church, serving Hillsdale, Westwood, Emerson, Oradell, and Woodcliff Lake.
Lady Hawk Michele Carcich DeVincenzo posted, “Thankful to be part of such an amazing group of badass women! Oradell put up a great fight and I’m happy they were able to put a team together on such short notice! ‘Til next year, mommas!”
She told Pascack Press on Dec. 8 that it was a great game and that she was “still healing, LOL.”
Emerson sold baked goods and bracelets, with proceeds of $2,479 donated to the family of the late Lynn Monchino and “a ton” of food donations to Emerson Bible Church Food Pantry.
Emerson Mamaliers, backed by coaches Mike Timmerman and Mike Fillippelli, are Brooke Castillo, Karen Borenius, Jenn Palko, Cristina Dillow, Ashley Rice, Andrea Lauterback, Kelly Abramopaulos, Lindsay Verrico, Danielle De Felice, Niki Wohlrab, Jenny Pagan, Amy Tortola, Jen Canino, Katie Benvenuto, Anouska Lowndes, Jess Timmerman, Marissa De Pietro, Cecilia Buffa, Talia Filippelli, and Janine Gianatasio.
The Lady Hawks, coached by Nick Pourakis, are Alison Fitzgerald, Christine Lee, Danielle McNair, Elizabeth Carr, Hope Andreevski, Irene Hancock, Jenn Gilmour, Jen Maguire, Jennifer Sabatie, Jessica Salogiannis, Jessica Woods, Karen Rowland, Marisa Ventola, Meredith Leighton, Michele DeVincenzo, and Vicky Torunidis.
Emerson played Hillsdale in 2018 and 2019 but sat 2020 out over Covid concerns. You’ll see the teams square off again, said Mamalier Borenius, who got the idea for the annual moms’ match from her sister-in-law, who played in a similar event in South Jersey.
Borenius told Pascack Press on Dec. 8, “It was raining in the morning, and then it kind of cleared up by the time our game was… there was lots of wind. That put a damper with the crowd, but we had a good turnout.”
She said 45 minutes passed between the River Edge player’s injury and departure by ambulance, and players were jumping around to keep warm. When the player left, Emerson applauded her, but, based on social media posts, this was not appreciated.
“When she got up, you’re supposed to clap at the end, and we did that,” Borenius said.
She added, “We’re all thrilled at the turnout and looking forward to next year and doing more fundraising.”
This 4th Annual Mom Charity Flag Football game was the first time Hillsdale got to play at home, having beaten Emerson in away games in 2018 and 2019, and the Montvale Cowgirls on their stomping grounds in 2020.
Lady Hawks founder Hancock told Pascack Press on Nov. 8 that Hillsdale was looking forward to playing Emerson again — musing that if another team had come through then Hillsdale and Emerson could have met in a playoff game.
The Hillsdale–Oradell after-party, naturally, was at sponsor The Cornerstone Restaurant, at 84 Broadway in Hillsdale.
“We end up at Cornerstone for lunch and drinks and celebrations after practices and games, and we love them, they’re so much fun and we’re so happy they’re supporting what we’re all about,” she said.
Oradell team founder Danielle Tikijian told Pascack Press on Nov. 16 that they were facing Hillsdale with all due respect for their record.
The River Edge team was organized by Lisa Cronin.
Both the Lady Hawks and Mamaliers are aiming to expand their Black Friday tradition to moms in other towns. To field a team in 2022, contact either the Lady Hawks or Mamaliers.