River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Football Team Perseverance Pays Off in Hard-Fought Victory Over Teaneck

The River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Football Team (3-2) bounced back from a difficult loss to Old Tappan the week before with a gritty 29-27 win over the Teaneck Highwaymen (3-2) at Teaneck High School in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Golden Hawks quarterback Brooks Esler showcased his athleticism through the air and on the ground, completing 5 of 11 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns while adding 56 rushing yards and two rushing scores. River Dell's potent running attack added 183 yards.

River Dell received the opening kickoff and, despite being backed up deep in its own territory, wasted no time getting on the scoreboard 28 seconds in. Brooks Esler hit tight end Mikey DeGroat over the middle, and DeGroat shook off one defender before sprinting to the end zone for a spectacular 79-yard touchdown.

“We work together from December until now, and we’re always around each other and working, and I feel we’ve built up such a good bond on and off the field,” Brooks Esler explained.

Teaneck responded on its first offensive possession, marching down the field in seven plays. Quarterback Jayden Castro fired a pass to wide receiver Deyton Walcott, who then galloped to the end zone for a 52-yard score that tied the game 7-7 with less than six minutes left.

The Golden Hawks had a great opportunity after an outstanding kickoff return by Luke Van Dam, who turned on the jet burners, fended off several Highwaymen special teams’ players, and scampered to the Teaneck 39-yard line. River Dell moved the ball to the 15, but the drive stalled and ended on downs.

“It was a great feeling being able to set up our team in great field position, and that just shows how important special teams are,” Luke Van Dam noted. “We watched film all week on their kicker and more of their line-drive kicks on the ground instead of up in the air. We also adjusted our kickoff return from a 5-3-3 alignment to a 5-4-2 to prepare for them a little bit more.”

River Dell's defense then stepped up and forced the Highwaymen offense into a quick three-and-out. The Golden Hawks started at their own 14, and early in the second quarter, on third down at the 20, Brooks Esler flung a pass to wide receiver Iain Rossig. Rossig quickly gained separation, darted down the right side of the field, and scored untouched to put River Dell back in front 14-7.

“That was a big moment in the game, and we had to put points on the board there. The offensive line and wide receivers made it easy, and Iain made the catch and did the rest,” Brooks Esler described.

The back-and-forth action continued with the Highwaymen starting at their own 25. Quarterback Jayden Castro engineered an impressive 11-play drive, mixing the passing and running game while consuming more than seven minutes, including a 5-yard run on fourth down in Golden Hawks territory. Castro finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run, but the extra point failed as River Dell led 14-13 at halftime.

“He’s (Jayden Castro) definitely a good quarterback, and he can throw the ball deep very well,” Luke Van Dam mentioned. “Castro can run, and he’s quick and tough to tackle. Teaneck’s wide receivers are very quick and have good speed and can get open on the deep routes.”

In the third quarter, Teaneck had the ball with less than six minutes remaining at its own 19-yard line, then quickly moved the ball to midfield. Running back Jonah Flournoy took the handoff from quarterback Jayden Castro, cut left and right to find an opening, and dashed into the end zone for the score, putting the Highwaymen back in front 20-14.

On the Golden Hawks' following drive, what appeared to be a punt at midfield instead became a pivotal decision when Iain Rossig faked the punt, made one move, and bolted down the right side to the Teaneck 19-yard line.

“It’s something we always practice in every scenario, and Coach Nimphius does a great job of getting us ready to play. It’s not a surprise we’re doing that,” Brooks Esler noted.

“One of our goals every game is to respond to adversity as a team, and I feel we do well. Coach Nimphius said to keep our poise, and we got to stay locked in and Iain was able to pick up that first down on the fake punt,” Luke Van Dam cited.

River Dell kept the ball on the ground and advanced further, with the offensive line paving the way and Brooks Esler getting the bulk of the carries before plowing across the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown that put the Golden Hawks ahead 21-20 with a minute and a half to go.

“I know myself as a runner, and I’m not the guy who’s going to make a lot of people miss, but I know the one thing I’ll do is finish runs hard, and that’s something I like to do,” Brooks Esler stated.

The Golden Hawks seized the momentum and got another massive break on defense when Highwaymen quarterback Jayden Castro tried to complete a pass in the middle of the field. Iain Rossig stepped in for a magnificent interception and fell to his knees with 40 seconds left in the quarter.

River Dell carried the energy from the third quarter into the final frame, using a smashmouth strategy to run the ball. Brooks Esler followed the defensive line and stretched across the goal line for his rushing score of the game.

“The linemen don’t get the credit they really deserve and blocked great there and on every scoring opportunity we had all night,” Brooks Esler remarked.

The Golden Hawks lined up for the extra point kick, then went to the trick play again as Luke Van Dam, in the placeholder spot, took the snap and ran to the right down the line. He bulldozed into the end zone for the successful two-point conversion, extending the lead to 29-27.

“The feeling was great, and having the team surrounding me felt great,” Luke Van Dam expressed. “Three guys were waiting for me at the goal line, but I just put my head down and had to do it for the team because it was a big play. I want to credit our offensive line because they don’t get the recognition they deserve.”

Teaneck refused to throw in the white towel as the Highwaymen quickly marched down the field in five plays, including a 26-yard run by quarterback Jayden Castro. Castro threw an 11-yard pass to wide receiver Darius Denmark, narrowing the deficit to 29-27 with eight and a half minutes left.

After the Teaneck defense forced the River Dell offense into a quick three-and-out, the Golden Hawks defense rose to the occasion. It stymied any momentum the Highwaymen had, as linebacker Teddy Schwanwede recovered a fumble after a muffed snap and Jayden Castro could not secure the ball.

Despite River Dell having the ball in Teaneck territory, the Golden Hawks were forced to punt again. With the Highwaymen offense given one more opportunity to win the game, the Golden Hawks dashed those hopes when Jayden Kim picked off a Jayden Castro pass to seal the win.

Brooks Esler on the post-game message from Head Coach DJ Nimphius: “Coach said to us before the game that the playoffs start now, and we need to win out from here, and seeing that clock hit zero was a very rewarding feeling.” “We definitely played sloppy and could have played better, but it felt good to get the win because no matter what, it’s still a win.”

River Dell returns to action Friday, October 2nd, hosting the Fair Lawn Cutters (2-3), with kickoff set for 6 p.m. at River Dell High School. The Golden Hawks' remaining schedule consists of three of four games on their home turf.

“Everyone in the school- coaches, teachers, and students has high expectations for us, and they all come out to the games,” Luke Van Dam said. “They fill up the stands home or away, but this second home game coming off a good physical win should be packed, and we’re going to need that boost of energy.”