River Dell Golden Hawks Varsity Football Team retains ‘Battle of Midland Ave’ Trophy for a third straight year in win over Paramus

The River Dell Golden Hawks(6-2) not only retained the ‘Battle of Midland Ave’ trophy for a third consecutive year in a grind-out 22-10 victory over the Paramus Spartans at Paramus High School in Paramus, New Jersey, but the Golden Hawks extended their winning streak to four games and won their first league division title in five years.

River Dell quarterback Brooks Esler magical season continued as Esler completed 14 of 18 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score.

“It was a great win to improve to 6-2 and get the trophy,” Brooks Esler said. “We came out flat, and I made a couple of mistakes, but we were able to clean it up.”

Luke Van Dam said the game was “definitely a fight the whole way,” but added that a win is a win.

Luke Van Dam said it was his first league title in high school, noted that River Dell hadn't won in five years, and said securing another trophy felt great. He added that the team wants a sectional state title.

Kickoff was moved to 4 p.m. because of the threat of inclement weather that evening. Both teams came out sluggish in the first quarter, which featured numerous three-and-outs and punts.

Paramus got the ball back at midfield with two minutes remaining, and the drive carried into the second quarter. The Spartans advanced methodically into River Dell territory, and quarterback Alexandro Perides pushed the ball to the three-yard line with a 21-yard run.

However, the Golden Hawks defense dug in and stopped three consecutive running plays, forcing a field goal attempt. Paramus kicker Ahmed Asor then converted a 21-yard field goal with 5:25 remaining.

River Dell got the ball back at its own 23-yard line on the ensuing drive, and Jackson Lee provided an immediate spark with an 18-yard run.

Brooks Esler got into a rhythm in the passing game, completing four passes, including three to wide receiver Iain Rossig, moving the ball deeper into the Spartans' end of the field.

Once at the Paramus 20-yard line, Esler tossed a pass to wide receiver Jayden Kim, who zigzagged past a couple of defenders and darted to the end zone for the touchdown, capping a nine-play, 77-yard drive that took almost five minutes off the clock.

“We started to find our footing and got into a rhythm,” Brooks Esler said. “We drove the length of the field and took time off the clock.”

“Jayden’s a very dynamic player. He can do it all, and he’s pretty fast,” Brooks Esler said. “When he gets in space, he’s not easy to tackle, and Mikey (DeGroat) made a great block so he was able to score.”

The Golden Hawks defense, riding the momentum of a goal-line stand, quickly forced a three-and-out, but the punt went sideways when a muffed catch led to a fumble recovery by Max Finkleman at the River Dell 42-yard line.

Once again, the defense rose to the occasion and prevented Paramus from scoring, as Ben Dapito registered a crucial sack to end the first half.

“Ben played really well and has a big role on the defense and helps our team out a lot,” Luke Van Dam noted.

In the third quarter, Ben Dapito made his presence known again, this time on special teams. The Spartans attempted to punt the ball away at their own 37-yard line when Dapito barreled through and launched himself in the air, blocking the punt in emphatic fashion and landing the ball at the 20-yard line.

“That was our first blocked punt all season and a really exciting moment,” Luke Van Dam said. “There’s no better guy than Ben, and our chances of winning increase on a blocked punt.”

River Dell’s offense took advantage of the short field and capitalized in six plays, ending with Brooks Esler throwing an 8-yard touchdown strike to a sliding Iain Rossig, who hauled in the catch despite absorbing a crunching hit in the end zone to extend the lead to 14-3 with 5:21 left.

Paramus answered on its next drive, as quarterback Alexandro Perides found wide receiver Max Finkleman in the flat, and Finkleman broke free for a 61-yard touchdown that narrowed the gap to 14-10.

Luke Van Dam said the one mistake was a wake-up call and that the team had to lock in and prevent any more points.

Once the fourth quarter commenced, the Golden Hawks started at their own 35-yard line. They moved effectively into Spartans territory with a mix of running and passing plays, converting a key third down on a 21-yard pass from Brooks Esler to Mikey DeGroat, who muscled his way down the field despite defensive players draped all over him, and a physical run by Iain Rossig that advanced the ball to the two-yard line.

On second and goal at the one-yard line, Brooks Esler took the direct snap, then Esler plowed straight ahead following the surge of the offensive line and across the goal line for the score with less than seven minutes to go.

“That was another great drive,” Brooks Esler said. “We had a long way to go again and were able to finish it off when we needed to score.”

River Dell initially lined up for the extra point but ran another fake, with placeholder Luke Van Dam receiving the snap, rolling left, and flicking a shovel pass to Iain Rossig, who powered across the goal line for the successful two-point conversion that widened the lead to 22-10.

Paramus refused to go away quietly, taking the ball at its own 20-yard line with less than seven minutes left. The Spartans moved the ball upfield and into the Golden Hawks' end zone, but the drive also burned time and included a key fourth-down conversion inside the ten-yard line.

Once at the three-yard line, a wild and chaotic play ensued as Paramus quarterback Alexandro Perides scrambled after the snap, tried to find an open receiver, and finally chucked the ball into the end zone, where River Dell defensive back Chris Barone made a terrific interception to seal the victory.

“That was one heck of a play,” Luke Van Dam said. “Chris read the quarterback perfectly, made a great play on the ball, and made the right decision to go down and secure the game.”

The Golden Hawks wrap up the 2026 regular season and home finale on Friday, October 23rd against the Ramsey Rams (4-3), with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. at River Dell High School in Oradell, New Jersey. The signature moment will be a poignant and special pre-game ceremony with ‘Senior Night’ that will honor the senior players and their families.

Luke Van Dam said it is impossible to avoid the emotion of Friday’s game and that it could be the team’s last home game.

Luke Van Dam said Ramsey is a tough opponent and that the team must know its assignments, watch film, and stay prepared all week.

Brooks Esler said the seniors are great football players and people, and that it will be different when football and school end and they go off to college.