Football: Check out the preseason Essex County 8 rankings for the 2022 season

Essex County put together a banner year of high school football in 2021 as four teams won regional championships.

The 2022 season gets started this weekend, and true state champions will be crowned for the first time.

Will any Essex County teams be among the first batch of true state champions? That's still a few months away. For now, here are the preseason Essex County 8 rankings. (Last year's records are in parentheses.)

8. West Orange (7-4)

Three of the Mountaineers' four losses last year came against regional champions. Three-star recruit Saboor Karriem has garnered interest from colleges like Duke and Illinois after registering five interceptions as a junior. Georgia Tech commit Gensley Auguste and junior Zekhi Wimberly, who already has offers from the schools like Syracuse, lead a tough defense asked to combat some of the county's best offenses.

First game: Sept. 3 at. Montclair

7. Montclair (5-5)

The Mounties were a tough out last season, holding on against Passaic Tech in three overtimes before being eliminated in the first round of the state playoffs. Now, under the guidance of Jermain Johnson, can Montclair return among the elite in Essex County? Three straight years of .500 records have separated Montclair from the consistent success that made it the winningest program in the state of New Jersey.

First game: Sept. 3 vs. West Orange

6. Weequahic (7-5)

A late touchdown surrendered against Mountain Lakes prevented Weequahic from competing for a sectional title last fall, but the Indians' 2021 season flew under the radar with the rest of the county's success. Rashawn Marshall emerged as one of the county's top offensive weapons and he's back as a junior. Seniors Quentin Reid and Andre Jenkinson Jr. lead a defense that won't be fun to try and score against.

First game: Sept. 2 vs. Asbury Park

5. Cedar Grove (12-1)

The Panthers ended last season by winning the North Group 1 regional title at MetLife Stadium. Their only loss came during the regular season to Caldwell, which went on to win the North Group 2 regional title. Junior Nick Iannacone, who caught the game-winning touchdown in the regional final, leads a shifty and speedy offense. Seniors James Cantarelli and Denham Ingalls return after strong junior seasons on defense.

First game: Aug. 26 at Salem (at Ocean City HS)

4. Caldwell (12-0)

The Chiefs share the state's longest active win streak with Cedar Creek after going undefeated and winning the North Group 2 regional title last fall. Senior Luke Kurzum leads an offense that gained more than 4,000 total yards last season. The physical duo of junior Julian Casale and senior Harry Boland have been known to shut down opposing offenses, combining for 197 tackles during last season's championship run.

First game: Sept. 2 at Morris Catholic

3. East Orange Campus (13-0)

The Jaguars went undefeated on the way to the North Group 5 championship over Clifton, which ended in controversial fashion. East Orange will miss last year's senior class, as well as retired head coach Rae Oliver. Joshua Richards returns as a skilled receiver committed to Maryland, while senior BJ Covington returns as a lockdown defender in the secondary.

First game: Sept. 1 at Clifton

2. Seton Hall Prep (7-4)

The Pirates were the talk of the state high school football scene for a good chunk of last season, beating Don Bosco and holding their own with Bergen Catholic and St. Peter's Prep. Junior Jaylen McClain is already gaining a lot of recruiting attention with 19 Division I offers, while senior defensive back Darren Burton II is a Hampton commit that will guide a young and physical defense.

First game: Aug. 27 vs. Delbarton

1. Irvington (11-2)

The Blue Knights ended more than a century of waiting for a sectional title last fall, then upset previously-unbeaten Northern Highlands in the North Group 4 regional championship game at Rutgers. Senior Adon Shuler, a Notre Dame commit, returns to lead an Irvington defense among the most feared in the state. Senior receiver Famah Toure, a Rutgers commit and junior Kyshir Desir, a 1,000-yard rusher a season ago, are players to watch on a talented offense.

First game: Aug. 26 at Woodbridge

ALSO CONSIDERED: Newark West Side, Nutley, Verona

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Essex County NJ football: Preseason Top 8 rankings for 2022