Adam Shaw threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score when top-seeded Pascack Valley, No. 18 in the NJ.com Top 20, built a 28-point lead and then held off a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat fourth-seeded Montville, 28-12, in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 quarterfinals in Hillsdale.

Kevin Regula added a 1-yard rushing score and Kai Smith ran 58 yards for the other TD for Pascack Valley (9-1), which advances to its first sectional final since 2019.

It will play for the title at home next week against seventh-seeded River Dell, which rallied past second-seeded Passaic Valley, 22-21 in overtime, in the other semifinal.

Shaw found Colin McMorrow for an 18-yard scoring pass in the opening quarter, then ran for a 25-yard score in the third quarter, which gave Pascack Valley a 28-0 lead.

Montville (7-3) finally broke through when Michael Ciullo hit Anthony Feaster for a 19-yard TD pass in the fourth.

The Mustangs then recovered an onside kick and Mike Vito broke free for a 49-yard TD run on the next play, with 9:36 left.

Pascack Valley recovered a subsequent onside kick and then put together a long drive, though its field goal try was blocked with 4:40 left.

Montville kept its subsequent drive alive with a hook-and-lateral play to pick up a first down on fourth-and-20, but its final drive died at the PV 33 in the final minute.