Football: Essex County 8 rankings heading into the postseason
It's playoff time in New Jersey, and 10 public schools from Essex County will be part of the action.
Seton Hall Prep will find out its playoff seed after this week's game, but we already know that five Essex County schools will host playoff games this weekend.
Last year, Essex County teams won four regional titles. Will that happen again this year?
Here are the latest Essex County 8 rankings heading into the postseason:
8. Newark West Side (7-1)
The Roughriders head into the postseason on a winning note after a 14-6 victory over Snyder on Friday night. Now back in the postseason, West Side is an intriguing darkhorse candidate in North 1, Group 2. It's the ninth time the Roughriders have made the postseason, and they're seeking a sectional title for the first time since the school's lone championship in 2007. Newark West Side draws on-the-rise Dumont in the first round.
Next game: Saturday at Dumont (6-2)
7. Weequahic (7-1)
Weequahic had an opportunity to head into the postseason without a loss, but that was halted by Immaculata in a 24-21 overtime defeat on Friday. Immaculata took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before Rashawn Marshall scored two touchdowns to tie the game. Sultan Hinton's rushing touchdown in the third tied the game at 21 to force overtime. The Indians host Hasbrouck Heights in the first matchup between the two since 2018.
Next game: Friday vs Hasbrouck Heights (4-4)
6. East Orange (3-5)
The Jaguars experienced another hiccup, shut out by West Essex, 20-0. East Orange has been streaky, starting 0-3 before winning three in a row, and has now lost consecutive games heading into the playoffs. However, the Jaguars are defending sectional and regional champions, so it's hard to count them out. It's sure to be emotional this week heading back to Clifton, the site of a shutout loss to the Mustangs to open the season.
Next game: Friday at Clifton (4-4)
5. Cedar Grove (7-2)
The Panthers are back in the win column after a 48-14 win over Hoboken in the regular-season finale on Friday. Sophomore Jackson Morrice was the standout in that one with a rushing, receiving and punt return touchdown for Cedar Grove, which scored the first 41 points on the night. The Panthers get a home game to start their defense of the North Group 1 regional championship.
Next game: Friday vs Wallkill Valley (6-2)
4. West Essex (5-3)
The Knights enter the playoffs after a strong 20-0 win over East Orange on Friday. Mike Maglione rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown as West Essex rushed for 322 yards in the win. West Essex has three losses this season, all to undefeated teams: Wayne Valley, Caldwell and West Morris. This makes the Knights a darkhorse in North 2, Group 3 and a hard out of the bracket.
Next game: Friday vs. Paramus (5-3)
3. Irvington (7-2)
The Blue Knights have righted the ship, winning their third in a row with a 27-18 victory at West Orange on Friday. Famah Toure rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns as Irvington ran for 519 yards as a team in the win. The defending North Group 4 regional champions begin their title defense at home as the top seed in North 1, Group 4.
Next game: Friday vs Sayreville (4-4)
2. Seton Hall Prep (4-4)
The Pirates tumbled in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey statewide Top 25 rankings, dropping six spots following a 42-17 loss to St. Joseph (Monvale.) on Saturday. Liam Londergan did what he could with 229 yards passing in defeat, the third straight loss for Seton Hall Prep. The Pirates can send the ranking of the non-public brackets into a frenzy with an upset over St. Peter's Prep this week.
Next game: Saturday at St. Peter's Prep (5-3)
1. Caldwell (8-0)
The Chiefs are rolling along with the state's longest winning streak at 23 in a row after a 35-14 win over previously-unbeaten Mountain Lakes. Joey Marinello rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown in the win, while Caldwell's rush defense clamped down on the Herd, holding the run-heavy offense to 44 yards on the ground. Caldwell is the top seed in North 2, Group 2.
Next game: Friday vs High Point (4-4)
Also considered: Montclair (4-4), Shabazz (4-4), West Orange (5-3)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Essex County 8 rankings head into postseason
