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NJ football rankings: First full week of games shakes up statewide Top 25

Darren Cooper, Greg Mattura, Robert Aitken Jr., Andy Mendlowitz, Steven Falk, Josh Friedman and Tom McGurk, NorthJersey.com
·9 min read

After the first full week of high school games, three new teams entered the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey statewide Top 25 rankings.

There was also a shakeup in the top five.

Every week, voters from across the Network will rank the Top 25 teams in the state. The rankings will be posted every Tuesday morning.

Here are the latest Top 25 rankings:

25. Ridgewood (1-0)

The Maroons won Friday’s home opener, 42-0, over Hackensack under interim coach Torre Watson, who took over after veteran Chuck Johnson stepped aside due to a medical issue. This marked their fourth shutout over the past 10 games. Senior Red Kossick totaled 217 total yards and scored three TDs.

Next game: Friday at Clifton (1-0)

24. Holy Spirit (2-0)

The Andrew DiPasquale era got off to the strong start as the Spartans won their first two games under their new head coach, scoring 34 and 35 points in wins over Cherokee and Egg Harbor Township. Senior quarterback Sean Burns is off to a sizzling start, completing 44-of-57 passes for 504 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Next game: Friday at St. Joseph Academy (0-1)

23. Passaic Tech (2-0)

The Bulldogs’ defense has excelled, following a 32-7 win over Bridgewater-Raritan in their opener with Friday’s 6-3 victory over Union City. Junior Cashmere Jones made 16 tackles and junior Trashon Dye made 14 against Union City. Senior RaySun Belton threw a 14-yard TD pass to senior Michael Kiritsis in the second quarter.

Next game: Friday at Passaic (1-1)

22. Shawnee (2-0)

Shawnee's head football coach Tim Gushue speaks to his players prior to the football game between Shawnee and Eastside played at Shawnee High School on Thursday, September 1, 2022.
Shawnee's head football coach Tim Gushue speaks to his players prior to the football game between Shawnee and Eastside played at Shawnee High School on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

After a tight two-point win over Northern Burlington in the opener, the Renegades lit up the scoreboard with a 48-14 rout of Eastside (Camden). Junior quarterback Joe Papa recorded more than 250 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, including 185 yards on 22 carries. Shawnee finished strong, outscoring the opposition 27-0 over the final two quarters.

Next game: Friday at Lenape (0-1)

21. Phillipsburg (1-0)

The Stateliners outlasted a quality Sayreville team, 14-7, fueled by Xavier Moore’s 74-yard TD run in the first quarter and John Wargo’s 68-yard interception return in the third. Phillipsburg also recovered a fumble at the goal line.

Next game: Friday at Ridge (1-0)

20. West Morris (2-0)

The Wolfpack scored 14 fourth-quarter points on touchdown runs by Stefano Montella to get past Montville, 21-7, on Friday. Montella rushed for 221 yards on 26 carries and those two crucial touchdowns. West Morris beat Mendham in Week 0 and is now off to a 2-0 start for the fourth straight season.

Next game: Friday vs. Mount Olive (0-1)

19. Donovan Catholic (1-0)

Todd Lambertson threw three TD passes, including two to sophomore Michael Thomas III, as the Griffins defeated Lacey, 41-7. Thomas caught six passes for 167 yards. Najee Calhoun and Elijah Davis each ran for TDs and freshman Zach LaBarca threw a TD pass to fellow freshman Emmanuel Gerana.

Next game: Friday at Rumson-Fair Haven (0-1)

18. Hillside (1-0)

The Comets withstood a serious challenge from Bernards, but came through with a 35-20 win after scoring twice in the fourth quarter. Army commit Kyon Simonson rushed for 167 yards and three TDs.

Next game: Saturday at Metuchen (1-1)

17. East Orange Campus (0-1)

East Orange Campus football at Clifton on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. East Orange Campus takes the field before the start of the game.
East Orange Campus football at Clifton on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. East Orange Campus takes the field before the start of the game.

The Jaguars were shut out, 21-0, on Friday night in a clash with Clifton for the first time since the controversial North Group 5 regional championship game last season. That marked East Orange's first loss since November 2020. Kyree Fisher threw for 147 yards in his first varsity start for the Jaguars.

Next game: Friday at Irvington (2-0)

16. Caldwell (1-0)

The Chiefs now have sole ownership of the longest active win streak in New Jersey - 16 games - after a 47-14 win over Morris Catholic. Luke Kurzum threw for 222 yards while Harry Boland racked up 115 total yards and four touchdowns. Caldwell scored all 47 of their points in the first two quarters and sacked Morris Catholic quarterbacks eight times.

Next game: Friday vs. Pequannock (1-0)

15. Salem (1-1)

The Rams opened their season with a dominating 53-13 victory over Cedar Grove in the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City on Aug. 26. But the team couldn’t keep the momentum going in its showdown against Camden during a 28-21 loss at the Rumble on the Raritan at Rutgers University. Senior quarterback Jahki Coates has thrown for four touchdowns and rushed for five more in his first two games.

Next game: Saturday vs. Pleasantville (1-0)

14. Clifton (1-0)

East Orange Campus football at Clifton on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. C #15 Abel Chong and teammates celebrate after East Orange Campus missed a field goal.
East Orange Campus football at Clifton on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. C #15 Abel Chong and teammates celebrate after East Orange Campus missed a field goal.

The Mustangs gained satisfaction with Thursday’s 21-0 win over East Orange Campus, the team it lost to last year in a controversial, triple-overtime finish in the North Group 5 final. Sophomore Romelo Tables threw two TD passes and senior Marco Betances returned a blocked punt nine yards for a score.

Next game: Friday vs. Ridgewood (1-0)

13. Toms River North (2-0)

The Mariners held on for a 28-21 win over Washington Township in the Battle at the Beach on Aug. 27 in Ocean City. Then they defeated Rumson-Fair Haven, 40-27, this on Saturday in the Rumble on the Raritan at Rutgers University. Junior quarterback Micah Ford ran for 279 yards and five TDs against Rumson-Fair Haven and accounted for 363 yards of total offense. He has 410 yards rushing and seven TDs in the first two games.

Next game: Friday vs. Southern (1-0)

12. St. Augustine (1-1)

St. Augustine's Terrin Walker, left, celebrates with teammate Tristan McLeer after Walker scored a touchdown during the football game between St. Augustine and St. Joseph played at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland on Friday, September 2, 2022.
St. Augustine's Terrin Walker, left, celebrates with teammate Tristan McLeer after Walker scored a touchdown during the football game between St. Augustine and St. Joseph played at St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland on Friday, September 2, 2022.

The Hermits bounced back from a season-opening loss against St. Peter’s Prep with a 30-10 victory over rival St. Joseph Academy. Na’Cire Christmas, Tristan McLeer and Ryan Gambill each rushed for touchdowns and Terrin Walker caught three passes for 128 yards and a score to power the St. Augustine offense. The Hermits have won nine straight against South Jersey competition.

Next game: Friday at Cherokee (0-2)

11. DePaul (0-1)

The Spartans were a far better team in the second half of Saturday’s 36-31 loss at St. Joseph (Montvale) They fought back from a 36-10 deficit, with senior Anthony Jacobsen recovering an end-zone fumble for a TD, junior Patrick Grusser tossing a TD pass to senior Jake Kucera, and Grusser scoring on a 1-yard run with four minutes left.

Next game: Friday vs. St. Peter’s Prep (1-1)

10. St. Joseph (Montvale) (1-1)

Yasin Willis of St. Joseph's after scoring his first of three TD's as DePaul lost to St. Joseph's 36-31 in Montvale, NJ on September 3 2022.
Yasin Willis of St. Joseph's after scoring his first of three TD's as DePaul lost to St. Joseph's 36-31 in Montvale, NJ on September 3 2022.

The Green Knights held on Saturday to defeat visiting DePaul, 36-31, after opening with a 42-21 loss at Maryland powerhouse Good Counsel. Junior Yasin Willis rushed for 157 yards and three scores to help build a 36-10 lead in the third quarter against DePaul. Junior Jadyn Williams’ interception sealed the win with 1:10 left.

Next game: Friday at Don Bosco (1-1)

9. Red Bank Catholic (2-0)

The Caseys outscored their first two opponents, 96-7. In the 33-7 season-opening win over St. John Vianney in the Battle at the Beach on Aug. 27 in Ocean City, sophomore quarterback Frankie Williams went 8-for-10 for 198 yards and three touchdown passes, including a 74-yarder to senior Robert Stolfa on the first play of the game.

Next game: Friday at Wall (0-0)

8. Delsea (1-0)

The Crusaders opened their season in dominating fashion with a 47-7 home rout over Delran. After eclipsing the 40-point mark eight times last season, Delsea’s offense got right back to it in the opener.

Next game: Friday vs. Winslow (0-1)

7. Camden (1-1)

After suffering a 33-6 to Ohio powerhouse Chardon on Aug. 27, the Panthers bounced back with a thrilling 28-21 win over Salem at Sunday’s Rumble at the Raritan. Sophomore quarterback Deante Ruffin, a transfer from West Deptford, looked impressive in his Panthers’ debut, throwing for 298 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 101 yards and three more scores.

Next game: Friday at Sterling (0-1)

6. Millville (1-1)

The Thunderbolts had their nine-game winning streak snapped in a 25-17 setback to Irvington at the Rumble on the Raritan. After rolling up 493 yards of total offense in its season-opening win, Millvillle topped 300 yards but managed just two second-half scores. Quarterback Jacob Zamot threw for 216 yards, with 79 coming on a TD pass to Thomas Smith III.

Next game: Friday vs. Williamstown (1-1)

5. Seton Hall Prep (2-0)

Junior Luigi Pantano rushed 17 times for 107 yards and a touchdown as the Pirates held on for a 14-7 win over Pope John at the Rumble on the Raritan on Saturday. Pantano's touchdown run in the final minute broke a tie, while two Elijah Rippey interceptions prevented the Lions from the upset bid.

Next game: Sept. 17 at Bergen Catholic (2-0)

4. Irvington (2-0)

Northern Highlands vs. Irvington in the North, Group 4 regional championship football game at Rutgers SHI Stadium on Saturday, December 4, 2021. I #6 Famah Toure avoids a tackle in the fourth quarter.
Northern Highlands vs. Irvington in the North, Group 4 regional championship football game at Rutgers SHI Stadium on Saturday, December 4, 2021. I #6 Famah Toure avoids a tackle in the fourth quarter.

Senior Famah Toure rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns as the Blue Knights pulled out a 25-17 win over Millville during the Rumble on the Raritan on Friday. In a clash between the two regional champions in Group 4 last season, the Blue Knights held down a Millville offense that averaged 45 points per game last year.

Next game: Friday vs. East Orange (0-1)

3. St. Peter's Prep (1-1)

The Marauders tasted two blowouts, a 41-7 road victory over St. Augustine on Saturday before a 55-20 loss to St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) at the Rumble on the Raritan. Those 55 points were the most they allowed since a 56-14 loss to powerhouse St. John Bosco (Calif.) in 2015. Senior Champ Long threw three TD passes vs. St. Joseph's Prep.

Next game: Friday at DePaul (0-1)

2. Don Bosco (1-1)

The Ironmen opened with a 48-28 home win over Archbishop Spalding (Md.), but followed with a 34-10 loss at Edgewater (Fla.) on Friday. Senior Nick Minicucci threw an 8-yard TD pass to sophomore Nolan James to help stay within 13-10 at halftime vs. Edgewater. The team has allowed 49 second-half points in two games.

Next game: Friday vs. St. Joseph (Montvale) (1-1)

1. Bergen Catholic (2-0)

aSeptember 2, 2022; Scottsdale, Arizona; USA; Bergen Catholic quarterback Dominic Campanile (17) looks for receivers against Saguaro during a game at Saguaro High School.
aSeptember 2, 2022; Scottsdale, Arizona; USA; Bergen Catholic quarterback Dominic Campanile (17) looks for receivers against Saguaro during a game at Saguaro High School.

The Crusaders started the season by dominating out-of-state powers, winning Friday at Arizona’s Saguaro, 28-7, a week after opening at home with a 49-14 victory over Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.). Junior Chris Mimmo’s 48-yard interception return provided a 28-0 lead over Saguaro and marked the defense’s second TD of the season.

Next game: Friday at Delbarton (0-1)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Northern Highlands, Ramapo

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football rankings: First full week shakes up statewide Top 25