Football: Essex County 8 rankings after a big clash in Week 4
The best Essex County has to offer faced off over the weekend as emerging non-public power Seton Hall Prep hosted defending champion Irvington, the top-ranked public school program in New Jersey currently.
Irvington struck first on Saturday but made a few costly mistakes that allowed Seton Hall Prep to emerge victorious and claim the top spot in this week's Essex County 8 rankings.
Here is the latest edition of the Essex County 8 rankings:
8. Newark West Side (4-0)
Nazir Smith threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns as the Roughriders powered their way to a 30-12 win over Lincoln on Saturday. Joshua Medal rushed 20 times for 178 yards, including a 78-yard scamper deep into Lions territory. Rashaad Williams led the Newark West Side defense with 11 tackles and an interception.
Next game: Friday vs Newark Central (1-3)
7. Weequahic (4-0)
Paul Jones III threw for 167 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-6 win on Saturday over Newark Central. Rashawn Marshall rushed 11 times for 134 yards and found the end zone twice on the ground. All three catches by Ihsim Smith-Marsette resulted in touchdowns, totaling 121 yards on the day.
Next game: Friday at Hoboken (2-2)
6. East Orange (1-3)
The Jaguars finally broke through in the win column on Saturday with a convincing 52-12 victory over Bloomfield. Irijah Wright rushed 22 times for 198 yards and a touchdown. Joshua Richards hauled in six catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Kymannie Beacon led with three sacks and also returned a fumble recovery for a score.
Next game: Saturday at Montclair (2-2)
5. West Orange (3-1)
Quran Ali threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns as the Mountaineers defeated Mount Olive, 28-14, on Friday night. Saboor Karriem caught seven passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns while also hauling in two interceptions. Karriem's 25 yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter cemented the victory.
Next game: Friday vs. Bayonne (2-3)
4. Cedar Grove (3-1)
Nick Iannacone caught four passes for 61 yards, including all three touchdowns for the Panthers, who beat Montclair Immaculate, 21-7, on Friday. Iannacone also had an interception on defense and blocked a kick defensively. Cedar Grove is 11-2 at home since the start of the 2020 season.
Next game: Saturday at Newark Collegiate (1-4)
3. Caldwell (4-0)
The Chiefs fended off a strong upset bid by West Essex, hanging on for a 16-13 win to extend New Jersey's longest active win streak to 19. Luke Kurzum struggled despite 140 yards passing as Harry Boland and Joey Marinello each rushed for touchdowns. Julian Casale led the Caldwell defense with 14 tackles and three sacks to keep an undefeated season alive.
Next game: Friday at Hanover Park (2-2)
2. Irvington (4-1)
Irvington's 11-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday in a 28-20 loss to Seton Hall Prep. CJ Pittman threw for 163 yards and a touchdown, guiding the Blue Knights back from a 21-6 deficit in the fourth quarter. Irvington's last loss came on Oct. 9 of last year at DePaul.
Next game: Friday at Union City (3-1)
1. Seton Hall Prep (3-1)
The Pirates responded from their first loss of the season, hanging on to a 28-20 win on Saturday over Irvington. Liam Londergan tossed four touchdown passes, including three in the second quarter to build a 21-6 halftime lead. Seton Hall Prep clamped down in the fourth quarter to hold on and remaining unbeaten against public schools since 2017.
Next game: Friday at Red Bank Catholic (5-0)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Essex County 8 rankings after big game in Week 4
