PASCACK VALLEY—The River Vale Raiders seniors hosted the Hillsdale Hawks in the annual Friendship Bowl on Saturday— and perhaps it was the home field advantage but the Raiders did pretty well in this outing.
The stands and fence line at Mark Lane were packed with family and friends cheering on the town rival players. Before the game started and as a time honored tradition, the senior Raider players met their cheerleaders at midfield to present them with a flower. After that, all the boys were ready to play!
It didn’t take long for RV QB Ryan McTigue (#30) to find his WR, Tyler Hurst (#38), who caught the ball on the 10-yard line and ran it in for the first score of the game. RV then secured the extra point and kicked off to the Hawks. The Hillsdale offense ran hard against the Raider defense but just could not make it into the end zone.
Once the Raider offense got the ball back, they drove down the field thanks to some tough blocking and running. RV RB Keith Mulcare (#25) rumbled his way to the end zone for the second touchdown and extra point of the game bringing the score to 14-0.
The Hawks offense tried to answer back on the ground and in the air, but the Raider defense wasn’t having it. The RV defense caused multiple turnovers, including the game ending leaping interception by DB Tyler Hurst (#38).
Although it was a tough night for the Hawks, the players met at midfield after the game to shake hands, knowing they will all be teammates next year at PV..
PV varsity football head coach Len Cusamano was in attendance along with his players to watch the game. The annual Friendship Bowl is a wonderful tradition that brings both towns together and gives the players and cheerleaders a glimpse of what high school football will look like.