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Morris/Sussex football: Top 10 rankings heading into final week of regular season

nick gantaifis and robert aitken jr., morristown daily record
·4 min read

This weekend marks the end of the regular season for public school teams, while non-public teams have two games left on the slate before the postseason gets underway.

As we head into Week 8, there are 22 teams throughout the state still undefeated and three of those halr from Morris and Sussex counties.

All season long, the Daily Record and New Jersey Herald will rank the Top 10 teams in Morris and Sussex counties. Here are the latest rankings after Week 7.

10. Hackettstown (5-2)

Previous ranking: 9

After winning their first five games, the Tigers dropped their second straight, coming up short against No. 9 Wallkill Valley, 34-27, on Friday at home. Alex Feeney threw for 139 yards on 10-of-24 passing, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Up next: Friday at Warren Hills (3-4)

9. Wallkill Valley (5-2)

Previous ranking: Unranked

Wallkill Valley hosts Boonton in a high school football game in Hamburg, NJ on Saturday October 02, 2021. Wallkill Valley makes their entrance onto the field.
Wallkill Valley hosts Boonton in a high school football game in Hamburg, NJ on Saturday October 02, 2021. Wallkill Valley makes their entrance onto the field.

The Rangers defeated No. 10 Hackettstown, 34-27, on Friday and have won three straight since losing back-to-back games last month. Shane Nugent rushed for 161 yards on 34 carries and scored four touchdowns. Dylan Bonser threw for 212 yards on 25-of-36 passing and two touchdowns

Up next: Saturday vs. Kittatinny (1-6)

8. Sparta (5-2)

Previous ranking: 8

Sparta's Austen Frattura runs the ball as West Morris' Stefano Montello defends during the first half of a football game at Sparta High School on September 23, 2022.
Sparta's Austen Frattura runs the ball as West Morris' Stefano Montello defends during the first half of a football game at Sparta High School on September 23, 2022.

The Spartans won their third straight game and secured a sixth straight SFC title, cruising past winless West Milford, 38-7, in Passaic County. Quarterback Austen Frattura threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns and Brandon Cabrera rushed for two touchdowns. Receiver Matt Schweizer had four receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns

Up next: Friday vs. No. 2 Newton (7-0)

7. Pope John (4-3)

Previous ranking: 6

The Lions suffered a second straight setback, falling to DePaul, 42-10, at home on Saturday. The Sparta parochial school surrendered more than 330 yards on defense and slipped a few spots in the Non-Public A rankings with two big road games left in the regular-season.

Up next: Friday at Hudson Catholic (5-2)

6. Morris Knolls (6-1)

Previous ranking: 7

Morris Knolls' Kyle Hardie tries to break pass Parsippany Hills' defense during the first half of a football game against Parsippany Hills at Parsippany Hills High School September 09, 2022. Alexandra Pais | Daily Record
Morris Knolls' Kyle Hardie tries to break pass Parsippany Hills' defense during the first half of a football game against Parsippany Hills at Parsippany Hills High School September 09, 2022. Alexandra Pais | Daily Record

The Golden Eagles won their second straight game, running past Mount Olive, 35-21 on Friday in Flanders. Dom DelleMonache had two rushing touchdowns, and Ryan Wong and Ryan Beller scored two touchdowns apiece as the Rockaway school raced out to a 28-7 lead after three quarters.

Up next: Saturday vs. No. 4 Randolph (6-1)

5. Mountain Lakes (7-0)

Previous ranking: 5

Mountain Lakes' defense brings down Morris Catholic's James Conigliaro during the first half of a SFC National White football game at Morris Catholic High School on October 22, 2021. Alexandra Pais/ for the Daily Record
Mountain Lakes' defense brings down Morris Catholic's James Conigliaro during the first half of a SFC National White football game at Morris Catholic High School on October 22, 2021. Alexandra Pais/ for the Daily Record

The Herd stayed perfect, shutting out Boonton on the road, 34-0, on Friday. Seniors Nico Dunn and Jimmy Elliott ran for two touchdowns apiece and the Mountain Lakes defense posted its first shutout of the season. The Herd take aim at the SFC American Gold title this weekend in a battle of unbeatens in Week 8.

Up next: Friday vs. Caldwell (7-0)

4. Randolph (6-1)

Previous ranking: 3

Randolph coach Will Nahan on the sideline during the first half of a football game at West Morris Central High School on October 01, 2021. Alexandra Pais/ For The Daily Record
Randolph coach Will Nahan on the sideline during the first half of a football game at West Morris Central High School on October 01, 2021. Alexandra Pais/ For The Daily Record

The Rams dropped their first game of the season, falling to top-ranked West Morris, 34-19, at home on Friday. Randolph’s defense surrendered 279 yards to the Wolfpack’s ground game. Quarterback Sean Clark threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns, and two interceptions, and receiver Ryan Novak caught seven passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Up next: Saturday at No. 6 Morris Knolls (6-1)

3. Delbarton (4-3)

Previous ranking: 4

The Delbarton defense stops Mylesa Thmason of Seton Hall Prep in the first half as Seton Hall Prep played Delbarton in football on October 16, 2021 at Delbarton in Morristown.
The Delbarton defense stops Mylesa Thmason of Seton Hall Prep in the first half as Seton Hall Prep played Delbarton in football on October 16, 2021 at Delbarton in Morristown.

Following three straight losses to start the season, the Green Wave won their fourth straight, defeating Hudson Catholic, 21-14, on Saturday at home. Junior Ryan Trafford rushed for 224 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns as Delbarton clawed back from a 14-0 halftime deficit.

Up next: Friday at DePaul (3-4)

2. Newton (7-0)

Previous ranking: 2

Newton hosts Ramsey in a high school football game on Friday October 14, 2022. N #42 Thaylor Sibblies on the field.
Newton hosts Ramsey in a high school football game on Friday October 14, 2022. N #42 Thaylor Sibblies on the field.

Back-mates Thaylor Sibblies and Brayden Nolan combined for 290 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a 47-10 win over Ramsey on Friday at Palmer Field. The Braves have won their first seven games for the second straight year.

Up next: Friday at No. 8 Sparta (5-2)

1. West Morris (8-0)

Previous ranking: 1

Sparta's Matthew Ciarelli is taken down by the West Morris defense during the first half of a football game at Sparta High School on September 23, 2022.
Sparta's Matthew Ciarelli is taken down by the West Morris defense during the first half of a football game at Sparta High School on September 23, 2022.

The Wolfpack won their 13th straight game, defeating previously undefeated and then-No. 2 Randolph, 34-19, on Friday. Stefano Montella was a force on both sides of the ball, rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns and recording a game-high 12 tackles, one sack and a pick-six on defense. West Morris will go for its first outright division title in three years in the regular-season finale this weekend.

Up next: Saturday at Morristown (3-5)

Dropped out: Chatham (5-3)

Also considered: Chatham (5-3),; Montville (6-2), Vernon (5-2)

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ football: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings after Week 7