Paul VI's Elijah Wilson (6) and Matt Morad (1). Roderick Boyd for D2 Sports Network
HADDONFIELD (N.J.) - Following a 42-7 blowout loss at the hands of St. Thomas Aquinas in Battle at the Beach showcase in Ocean City, the Paul VI High School football team has righted its ship with four straight victories.
The Eagles downed divisional opponent Northern Burlington, 35-3, to make it five straight wins on Friday night.
Paul VI's Matt Morad scored three total touchdowns as the Eagles defeated Northern Burlington, 35-3, at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey on Friday, October 6, 2023. Roderick Boyd/D2 Sports Network
Morad, a 2023 D2 Sports Network South Jersey Baseball All-Star Game selection, had a stellar first half for Paul VI. The senior rushed for 126 yards including a pair of rushing touchdowns on his first 12 carries of the contest. He also hauled in a 64-yard touchdown pass. Morad finished with 20 carries for 130 yards, a pair of scores on the ground and one through the air.
Senior quarterback Dom Santiago finished 6-for-16 passing for 153 yards and a pair of touchdown passes that landed in the hands of Morad and Tyree Roane. Paul VI also tallied a special teams touchdown as Austin Bailey took the second half opening kickoff 90 yards to the house.
With the victory, Paul VI clinched at least a share of the West Jersey Football League National Division title.
"I don't know the last time Paul VI won a division title in football," Morad said. "I'm just glad we could be a part of history here.
"Crossing off one of our preseason goals this early in the season is huge, but we're not done yet. We still have Triton left in our division to play."
Since his first season at the helm in 2020, the Eagles are 24-9 under coach Dennis Scuderi, Sr. that includes two consecutive playoff appearances. Paul VI will most likely celebrate a third straight trip this year.
The senior core for Eagles has been the backbone for the program's success this season.
"We don't have many seniors," Santiago said. "The ones that play and produce have been the driving force for our consistency during our winning streak."