As the NJSIAA playoffs continue to wind down and the Super Football Conference has released its all-division teams, it’s worthwhile taking a look at a notable all-SFC player from Essex County whose high school careers is now over.
Livingston senior Abel Paul who recently concluded as impressive a 2-year run as a standout running back which was as impressive as any back in the Garden State for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons and is an All-SFC, Freedom White Division first-team selection as a skill position player on offense.
The Lafayette College commit had 276 carries for 2,507 yards and 24 touchdowns which came on the heels of another outstanding campaign as a junior when he had 248 carries for 2,372 yards and 25 TDs.
He is joined on the Freedom White first-team offense by other Essex stars whose seasons have concluded including a strong contingent of West Orange players including quarterback Daniel Lewis, skill position player Nazir Douglas, O-lineman Aidan Watt and Rutgers-bound tight end Sydney Padilla, who has been recruited as an edge rusher on defense by the Scarlet Knights.
The Mountianeers saw their otherwise splendid 8-2 season come to an end with a heartbreaking 38-35 homestanding loss to Piscataway in the North 1, Group 5 playoff semifinals on Friday night, Nov. 6, at Suriano Stadium.
QB Lewis finished a superb senior season completing 91-of-167 passes for 1,516 yards, 20 touchdowns and had 7 Int.
Padilla was a 2-way star for veteran coach Darnell Grant's squad with 23 receptions for 438 yards and 5 TDs to go along with a stellar defensive showing all fall that included 9 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 45 tackles and 2 interceptions, both of which resulted in his returns for TDs.
Paul’s Lancers concluded a very respectable 6-4 season with a 41-34 consolation victory over Hunterdon Central on Oct. 29 at Allen 'Jake' Jacobson Memorial Field.which had followed an exciting, roller coaster ride against Bloomfield (3-6) at Foley Field the week prior on Oct. 22nd when Livingston went from being up 27-0 to then down 34-27 and to eventually win 41-34; yet just missed securing a spot in the North, Group 5 playoffs.
Once again spearheading the Livingston efforts at Bloomfield and throughout the past two seasons was itss dynamic senior running back who had one of his historic efforts vs. the Bengals 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 in that regular season finale helped his team complete its persistent comeback efforts against a Bengals team that also played with much gusto.
Paul’s incredible week 9 performance at Bloomfield produced a single-game rushing output that 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 Livingston head coach Bob 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.”
Livingston’s early 27-0 lead vs. the Bengals 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 with what we hoped would be 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 this season was doing whatever I could to help our team win.
“We have a great bunch of guys who love to play together with a purpose in mind, and this victory was big!”
To see the complete Super Football Conference’s all-division lists log on to nj.com at
https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2026/11/super-football-conference-all-division-teams-2026.html
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