Paul's 501 Yards & 5 TDs Key
As Livingston Edges Bloomfield

Thinking back on this past summer’s pre-season camp while looking to fit together the pieces for what was certainly at least a ‘pseudo’ rebuilding job after graduating 29 seniors from a 7-4 playoff squad Livingston head coach Bob Breschard may have been quick to sign up for having a ninth regular season game that might have determined a second straight playoff berth.

Following Thursday night’s pulsating roller coaster ride against Bloomfield (3-6) at Foley Field, as the Lancers (5-4) went from being up 27-0 to then down 34-27 and to eventually win 41-34 but they will just miss landing a spot in the North, Group 5 playoffs after a couple of key results came in a night later which knocked the Essex County school out of contention.

Friday evening mild upset victories by Franklin (4-5), which emerged victorious in a wild 49-40 contest at Woodbridge (5-4) and Linden (4-4), which won at home, 25-21 vs. Union (5-4), elevated those two victors into the North, Group 5 playoff field, and as a result will keep Livingston out after it had appeared just 24 hours earlier that the Lancers were on the way to nailing down one of the lower seeds.

Still, it was quite a Thursday night victory to savor for Livingston in their regular season finale against SFC rival Bloomfield.

“I was thinking back to camp this past summer, with looking to work in a bunch of kids who had little or no varsity experience with the few veteran starters we returned, and then fast forward to where we are now after such a huge victory for this program, and I’m so proud of our players and coaches on this team,” said Breschard. “We’ve been through some tough losses and our share of injuries as well, but ultimately coming back to defeat Bloomfield in a game with so much riding on the result for us may have been a real microcosm of our season as we’ll make mistakes but then always battle back.

Playoff pairings to be released on Sunday with first-round action beginning during the upcoming Halloween weekend, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31.

Once again spearheading the Livingston efforts in their final regular season game was its dynamic Lafayette College-bound senior running back Abel Paul, who had one of his historic efforts with 47 carries for 501 yards and 5 touchdowns. He scored the ultimate go-ahead TD on a 38-yard run on the first play following the Lancers successful recovery of a pooch kick in the fourth quarter.

There is something about the ninth game for Paul, who last year set an Essex County record with 522 yards rushing while scoring 7 TDs in a 49-39 victory over Montclair.

So that’s more than 1,000 yards when combining the Lancers’ two regular season finales in 2025 and 2026 for one of Livingston’s all-time greats, who helped his team complete its persistent comeback efforts against a Bengals team that also played with much gusto.

Paul’s latest incredible single-game rushing production eclipsed the previous 2026 season high of 428 yards by New Milford back Kobe St. Hilaire.

With Bloomfield adjusting personnel in different spots defensively it was up to Livingston offensive coordinator Joe Fischer to maneuver his game plan while fully utilizing Paul’s immense talents in the rushing department.

“Our OC Joe Fischer called a phenomenal game,” said Breschard. “He made nice adjustments with the line as Bloomfield gave us some different looks.
“Our center Mason (Gordon) was starting his 30th game in his great career for us and the rest of the O-Line also made some nice adjustments in their blocking which helped free up Abel for some big runs.”  

While Paul’s numbers certainly standing out, there were many heroes for Livingston including veteran quarterback Troy Naylor who completed a clutch 6-yard TD pass to Shai Peled on a big 4th-and-3 conversion to tie the contest, 34-34, with 7:33 left in the fourth quarter.

Wide receiver-defensive back Anthony Sosa excelled on both sides of the ball as did ‘H’ back-linebacker Richie Montes de Oca who was all over the field making plays the entire evening. The aforementioned O-Line, did its job, and the defense had its share of other top performers including standout, run-stopping D-lineman Kodi Gbanite, who is a University of Delaware commit.   

“Give Bloomfield credit because they fought back as well and were very creative with their play calling in coming from behind against us and then taking the lead,” said Breschard. “Thanks to a great team effort and Abel doing what Abel is capable of doing we eventually emerged victorious, but it wasn’t easy to finish it.”  

Livingston’s early 27-0 lead included runs of 81 and 92 yards by Paul, who rushed for 301 yards and 4 TDs in the first half.

But Bloomfield battled back, scoring on a double pass and then a hook-and-ladder play and pulled to within 27-20 just as the first half was coming to an end.

A Brandon Plummer 75-yard TD run on the first play of the second half tied matters and then after a defensive stand the Bengals scored on a 43-yard run by Aiden Ruiz to take a 34-27 lead with 2:39 left in the third quarter.

The Naylor-to-Peled TD pass followed by a successful pooch kick as Peled fell on the ball preceded the Paul 38-yard TD scamper and the Lancers were able to hold on in the end.

Paul, who also sees time at outside linebacker, was able to knock the ball away from a Bloomfield back and Livingston recovered the ball near midfield as the fourth quarter was winding down.

“There was just too much on the line, and no matter how much the momentum kept changing in the game it was very important for us to win and try and make some more history for Livingston football as we were shooting to make it back-to-back playoffs for the first time in a long time,’ said Paul. “I’m already going to college to play and stats are nice, but what meant the most to me was helping to win this game for our team which has a great bunch of guys who love to play together with a purpose in mind, and this victory was big!”

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Week’s Remaining Games With Essex Teams, Pick To Win In Boldface:
Saturday, Oct. 24:
Whippany Park at Glen Ridge, noon
Irvington at Seton Hall Prep, 1
Central at East Orange Campus, 1
Poly Prep (N.Y.) at MKA, 1

Record on Picks last week: 16-1; for the season: 98-28 (77%)        

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