Lenape deals Paul VI first loss

Ta'ron Earl went backward first.

The opening kickoff skidded past the Lenape senior on the wet grass, and he had to retreat to the 4-yard line to pick it up.

From there, it was full speed ahead for Earl and the Indians.

A program that has been looking for a signature victory for several seasons registered a big one Friday night by shocking previously undefeated Paul VI, 35-20, in a West Jersey Football League interdivision game.

Earl started the surprising turn of events with that 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The two-way senior back also made a tackle on the 1-yard line as Lenape's defense rose up with two goal-line stands in the second half.

There were heroes all over the field for the Indians on Senior Night. Coach Greg Harvey told the celebrating Indians to take a good look at the scoreboard at the end of the game.

"How good does that look?" Harvey asked his players.

Lenape received a big game from senior quarterback Stefan Kancylarz, who ran 18 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Kancylarz's 85-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Terrell on the last play of the third quarter was his only completion of the game.

"This is our biggest win ever," Kancylarz said. "To beat an undefeated team on Senior Night, it couldn't be any better."

The victory evened Lenape's record at 4-4 and probably put the Indians into the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs - pending Saturday's games and the final determination of power points.

But this victory was a bonanza of power points - six for the win, four for Paul VI's school size, and another 21 for the Eagles' seven victories. That's a jackpot.

"To tell the truth, I didn't even look at the power points," Harvey said. "I was too worried about that team. But we had a great week of practice, maybe our best week of practice in two or three years. And it carried right over."

Paul VI, the No. 3 team in The Inquirer Top 10, had won 16 of its previous 17 games, with the only loss to St. Peter's Prep in last year's Non-Public 4 playoffs. The Eagles will make the tournament again this season, but could be looking at a No. 6 or 7 seed and a long road trip to Bergen Catholic, Seton Hall Prep, or Don Bosco Prep.

Earl's touchdown on the opening kickoff was fitting for Lenape, since the team took the same path this season - slow start, followed by a furious race for the goal line.

It also set the tone for the Indians' victory.

"It lifted a huge burden off our shoulders," Kancylarz said. "It told us they were just a bunch of 17-year-old kids like us and we could play with them."

Lenape has been struggling to regain its footing since an opening-night loss to school-district rival Cherokee, the likely No. 1 seed in the sectional tournament. It's possible the Indians could be the No. 8 seed, and see the Chiefs again.

"I would be scared if I was a team getting ready to play us," Kancylarz said. "We're holding our heads high right now."

Paul VI   7 7 6 0 – 20

Lenape   14 14 7 0 – 35

L-Ta'ron Earl 96 kickoff return (Mike Humes kick)

L-Nick Wagner 46 run (Humes kick)

P-James Kenner 2 run (Paul Catrino kick)

L-Stefan Kancylarz 1 run (Humes kick)

L-Kancylarz 3 run (Humes kick)

P-Jakwail Bailey 16 pass from Khaalig Burroughs (Catrino kick)

P-Johnell Anderson 1 run (kick fail)

L-Trevor Terrell 85 pass from Kancylarz (Humes kick)