To say the energy at Tapp Webb field on Friday Sept. 16 was electric would be an understatement. Delaware Valley Regional High School’s varsity football team defeated New Providence by a score of 33-14. 

The game held a deeper meaning: the Terriers hosted the New Providence Pioneers in a rematch of last year’s NJSIAA Quarterfinal round. The Terriers entered this game with a chip on their shoulders, one placed there after a heartbreaking playoff loss, which ended the Terriers’ season. 

Del Val looked to get the ball and set the tone early. The Terriers won the toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game. The Terriers and Pioneers tangled back and forth exchanging scoreless drives in the first quarter. 

Del Val obtained possession of the ball early in the second quarter, setting up two 26-yard receptions by Ryan Neal and Justin Kolpan that would put the Terriers in prime scoring position. 

Jack Bill would go on to score a 5-yard rushing touchdown to draw first blood against the Pioneers. This 5-yard touchdown was a statement to set the tone over New Providence. 

The Terriers weren’t done yet; Jack Bill would run for another touchdown with 3:03 left in the second quarter to put the Terriers out to a commanding 14-0 lead going into the half. 

At half time, The Delaware Valley Golden Regiment Marching Band took the field to perform its show, In the Land of the Pixies. 

To open the second half, the Pioneers drove the ball down the field to score on a 3-yard run by the Pioneers quarterback, showing they still had fight left in them. The Terriers immediately answered back with a drive down field, induced by Del Val’s leading rusher, Patrick Garlinghouse. Known as “Demon Time” by the Del Val student section, Garlinghouse combined runs of 54 yards, finishing the drive by scoring on a 10-yard run to put the Terriers up 20-7. 

The Pioneers weren’t out of the game yet. New Providence fired back, driving the ball downfield on a big run by the opposing QB. The Pioneers then came up big on fourth down to score on the Terriers once again. This made things interesting as it became a one possession game with 8:32 left in the fourth quarter. 

A strong return by Stoy Fohring set the Terriers up around midfield to attempt to put the game away. Once again, Garlinghouse led the drive downfield and scored his second touchdown of the night to put the Terriers up 26-14 after a failed two-point conversion. 

The Pioneers would get one last shot to pull off some magic with little time remaining in the fourth quarter. New Providence came up short as the Terriers defense made a huge stop on fourth down. 

All the Terriers had to do now is run out the clock by rushing the ball to end the game. Yet, Jack Bill put an exclamation point on this satisfying win by scoring a 46-yard rushing touchdown with 1:13 left in the game, which put the Terriers up by a final score of 33-14. 

This was more than just a regular season win to the Terriers, this was a revenge tour. They proved they were not defined by the prior year’s loss by winning in exhilarating fashion. 

The Terriers will face another obstacle this Friday in hosting Bernards at home, another game which holds a deeper meaning as Bernards is a great rival of Del Val.