Year in Review: Lenape Football

by Marc Narducci; Photo Marc Narducci | Dec 27, 2019

The Lenape football program is on the upswing. In 2017, the Indians won their first-ever South Jersey Group 5 championship.

The following season the Indians were hit hard by graduation and despite playing a difficult schedule, the Indians qualified for the playoffs again.

Lenape finished as one of the top teams in South Jersey. Here is a look back on the season.

LENAPE (10-2)

September 6 Tottenville (NY), 48-21

September 13 St. Augustine, 20-7

September 20 at Vineland, 34-7

September 27 at Williamstown, 21-28

October 4 Allentown, 41-0

October 18 at Camden Catholic, 49-0

October 26 Rancocas Valley, 35-14

November 1 at Cherokee, 34-18

November 8 Edison, 39-6 (South Group 5)

November 15 Hillsborough, 28-17 (South Group 5

November 22 Williamstown (South Group 5)

November 28 Shawnee, 24-7

Coach: Joe Wojceichowski (15-8).

What the Indians accomplished: Besides reaching the SJ Group 5 final, Lenape finished as co-champion with Williamstown in the WJFL American Division, arguably the toughest in South Jersey. Lenape and Williamstown were each 4-1 in the division. Both of Lenape’s losses were in tight games to Williamstown, where the Braves came back to win in the fourth quarter. Due to the high caliber of competition, these were two of the best games of the South Jersey season.

Best win(s): Beating St. Augustine early in the season was a highlight, especially since the Hermits were playing as well as any team in South Jersey late in the year. The other big win came on Thanksgiving, 24-7 over Shawnee. Not only was it over their Lenape School District rival, but that victory enable Lenape to clinch a share of the division crown.

How it ended: With that aforementioned win over Shawnee. Junior quarterback Brady Long completed 12 of 22 passes for 176 yards and a score.

Key player returning: Current junior Xavier Coleman is as dangerous as a receiver as he is running the ball. This season he rushed for 531 yards (8.9 avg.) and 14 TDs. He also caught 29 passes for 531 yards and seven scores and contributed 34 tackles and one interception while playing in the secondary. Coleman also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and figures to be among South Jersey’s top recruits.

Key player leaving: Senior receiver-defensive back Connor Kennedy had 35 receptions for 536 yards and nine touchdowns. He also recorded three interceptions. He also scored two touchdowns on punt returns, and one each on kickoff and interception returns.

Outlook for next season: The Indians were a Top five South Jersey team this season and there is no reason they shouldn’t be in that position next year. Coleman and Long will lead an offense that also includes current junior game-breaker Hamza Bruce, who rushed for 886 yards (5.3 avg.) and nine touchdowns. He also recorded 15.5 tackles for loss. Junior linebacker Luke Cole recorded 103 tackles, including 17 for loss. Look for the Indians to compete for a division and sectional title next season.

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Author: Marc Narducci; Photo by Marc Narducci

Year in Review: Lenape Football

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