South Jersey Football Game of the Week: Lenape at Williamstown
Lenape (3-0, 1-0 WJFL American) at Williamstown (3-0 1-0), Friday, 7 pm.
Background: This is an early-season showdown in the WJFL American Division. Both teams are trying to keep pace with Shawnee, which is (3-0, 2-0). Last season Williamstown won the American Division, going unbeaten. The Braves were 12-1, 5-0.
Williamstown is the defending South Jersey Group 5 champion, while Lenape was champion in 2017. Last season despite huge losses to graduation, Lenape went 5-6 and won an opening group South Jersey Group 5 playoff game against Kingsway before losing to Rancocas Valley, 28-7 in the semifinals.
Even though Williamstown was a dominant team last season, Lenape played the Braves tough, losing a 12-3 decision.
This season
LENAPE
September 6 Tottenville, NY, 48-21;
September 13 St. Augustine, 20-7
September 20 at Vineland, 34-7.
WILLIAMSTOWN
September 6 Vineland, 28-7
September 13 Rancocas Valley, 40-0
September 20 at Millville, 37-0
Up next: Lenape hosts Allentown on October 4. Williamstown hosts Atlantic City on October 4.
Coaches: Lenape, Joe Wojceichowski (8-6); Williamstown, Frank Fucetola (173-98 overall; 154-86 at St. Augustine; 19-12 at St. Augustine).
Outlook: Lenape has been one of the early-season surprises. The Indians 20-7 win over St. Augustine is even more Impressive when considering that the Hermits just beat South Jersey’s top team, St. Joseph, 28-12 this past week.
Both Lenape and Williamstown have plenty of prime-time players. Lenape running back-defensive back Xavier Coleman is among the top juniors in South Jersey. He is especially dangerous as a return man. In the first three games he has scored five touchdowns, two rushing, one receiving and two on kickoff returns. He has rushed for 137 yards (10.5 avg.) and is averaging five tackles per game. In last week’s win over Vineland he had two receiving and one rushing TD. He scored on TD receptions of 36 and 41 yards from Brady Long.
Junior Hamza Bruce has rushed for 181 yards (6.5 avg.). He also has two sacks as a strong safety.
Lenape senior tight end-linebacker Clyde Washington (6-2, 210) has committed to Purdue. He is averaging 12 tackles per game and has recorded three sacks and two quarterback hurries.
In last week’s shutout of Millville, Williamstown quarterback Doug Brown connected on scoring passes of 79 and 32 yards to Mekhi Gamble. The Braves have one of the best defenses in South Jersey. Leading the way is returning all-South Jersey defensive end Aaron Lewis (6-5, 250). Lewis, who is also a dominating offensive tackle, has committed to Michigan.
This is a game where whichever of the two Big 10 recruits (Washington or Lewis) has a better game, their team is likely to win.
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Last year was a low-scoring defensive struggle and don’t be surprised if this game takes a similar form.
© SouthJersey.com 2019. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
For more Local Sports features, visit our South Jersey Sports page.
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Last year was a low-scoring defensive struggle and don’t be surprised if this game takes a similar form.
© SouthJersey.com 2019. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
For more Local Sports features, visit our South Jersey Sports page.
Author: Marc Narducci
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