South Jersey Football Game of the Week: Lenape at Holy Spirit

by Marc Narducci | Nov 17, 2020

Matchup: Lenape (5-0) at Holy Spirit (6-0). WJFL Bracket A – final round

When: Friday, November 20, 6 p.m.

Coaches: Lenape: Joe Wojceichowski (20-8); Holy Spirit, A.J. Russo (43-20).

Background: There are no sectional or state playoffs this year in New Jersey due to the pandemic, but the West Jersey Football League has set up unofficial playoffs, with four different pods of four teams. The semifinals were this past week and now the finals will take place.

This game will be for the unofficial No. 1 spot in South Jersey.

Holy Spirit is coming off a 34-0 win over previously undefeated Winslow Township. Patrick Smith continued his dominant senior season by rushing for 265 yards and two touchdowns on runs of 44 and two yards.

Lenape scored a 31-28 overtime win over Cherokee. Indians quarterback Brady Long scored on an 8-yard run to cut Cherokee’s lead to 28-27 and Dylan Shank tied score with the PAT to send the game into overtime.

For Shank, he was just warming up. Lenape the ball first in the overtime and Shank booted a 48-yard field goal. In OT, both teams get a possession and Lenape cinched the win when Cherokee missed a 27-yard field goal.

This season

HOLY SPIRIT

Oct. 2 at St. Joseph, 18-6

Oct. 10 at Cedar Creek, 41-0

Oct. 16 Vineland, 21-7

Oct. 23 Pleasantville, 42-20

Nov. 6 at St. Augustine, 12-7

Nov. 13 Winslow Township, 34-0

LENAPE

Oct. 9 Eastern, 38-7

Oct. 16 at Seneca, 38-0

Oct. 23 at Rancocas Valley, 27-7

Oct. 30 at Shawnee, 10-3

Nov. 15 at Cherokee, 31-28 OT

Key players: Holy Spirit’s Smith is among the best players in the state. He has committed to Division I Colorado State. This season he has rushed for 1,476 yards and 14 touchdowns. Junior Trevor Cohen has passed for 471 yards and seven touchdowns.

Lenape senior Brady Long not only scored a running touchdown against Cherokee, but threw three touchdown passes, giving him seven this season. Senior Xavier Coleman, a Boston College commit, has scored eight touchdowns. He is dangerous as a running back or receiver and is among the most versatile and best players in South Jersey. Senior running back Hamza Bruce combines power and speed. He has scored three touchdowns.

Outlook: Both teams have proven quarterbacks who are capable of winning games with their arms, but each is also more effective as a running team. The key will be which defense will be able to stop the running game.

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And finally: While this is considered the unofficial title of South Jersey, both teams have one remaining game. Lenape will face St. Augustine on Nov. 25 and Holy Spirit will play Atlantic City the next day in its traditional Thanksgiving game.

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Author: Marc Narducci

South Jersey Football Game of the Week: Lenape at Holy Spirit

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