Senior-led N.J. Group 3 title contender wins sixth straight with victory over non-public rival

TABERNACLE — Chase Horner reeled in a 24-yard catch and a 43-yard reception to set up a pair of touchdowns.

He was the beneficiary of the second score as Seneca pulled away for a 19-7 triumph over Paul VI in a West Jersey Football League Constitution Division tilt on Friday night.

It was the sixth win in a row for the Golden Eagles after an 0-2 start with losses to Lenape and Haddonfield.

“We’re playing close to 20 seniors right now,” Seneca coach Anthony Diorio said. “When you have a bunch of 17 and 18-year old kids it’s going to make a difference. They’re mature. They’re not going to just fold.”

Horner’s first catch set up a 4-yard TD run for dual threat quarterback Anthony Tirico. The score capped a 10-play, 93-yard drive that spanned nearly five minutes. Horner accumulated 55 of those 93 yards from a 3-yard run and a pair of catches.

An experienced offensive line helped keep Tirico upright and granted him the time needed to locate Horner on a corner route downfield.

“We just rely on our guys up front,” Horner said. “Our offensive line is one of the best in South Jersey. We’ve known that. We rely on those guys to block and hold their own, and they do it every single game. It allows us to make big plays. I give props to Ant for a great ball there.”

Horner was rewarded with a 3-yard TD run after his 43-yard reception in tight coverage helped give Seneca a 13-0 lead with 1:34 left in the second quarter.

Tirico’s heave appeared to be a 50-50 ball at the catch point, but in Horner’s mind there was a 100% chance the ball would land in his hands.

He was right.

“I always tell Ant, if he throws it up I’m going to get that for him,” Horner said.

Seneca’s Chase Horner, middle, makes a contested catch between two Paul VI defenders in the West Jersey Football League Constitution Division football game against Paul VI played at Seneca High School in Tabernacle, New Jersey on Friday, October 16, 2026. Michael Taylor for D2 Sports Network

The Eagles of Haddonfield narrowed the deficit with an 8-yard TD pass from Sean Dinunzio to Kevin Bunt near the midway point of the third quarter. The 9-play, 61-yard drive began when Elijah Broughton intercepted a pass thrown by Tirico.

Seneca’s defense responded. Two of Paul VI’s final three drives were terminated on the Golden Eagles side of the field. The outcome was a turnover on downs each time.

“We talk about adversity a lot,” Tirico said. “We even faced adversity being up two scores. I made a mental error throwing a pick. We got the ball back and just made plays.”

Tirico scored a second TD to extend Seneca’s lead with 3:11 left.

It marked the first time Paul VI has been limited to seven points since a 22-7 loss to West Deptford on September 17. Seneca has allowed only 9.3 points per game during its six-game win streak.

“We have so much confidence in our team and our abilities,” Horner said, “that when we make big plays we just feed off that energy for the rest of the game.”

The Golden Eagles are scheduled to host unbeaten West Deptford next Friday. The win over Paul VI catapulted the Eagles into the No. 1 overall spot in the South Jersey Group 3 playoff picture.

The last four seasons have ended for Seneca with four consecutive losses in a NJSIAA Group 3 sectional final.

This senior-led team wants to reverse its fortunes and have opponents come visit the turf field tucked in the heart of the Pine Barrens off Carranza Road.

“We talk about it all the time,” Tirico said. “Each week, if we win this game, everyone’s coming to Tabernacle. (The thought of) having an opportunity to play at home for a sectional final for the first time I’ve been here is a great feeling.”