NJ football rankings: Public and Non-Public playoff showdowns keep shaking up Top 25
The look of the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25 football rankings continues to change after three ranked teams lost in last weekend's Public sectional semifinals.
Meanwhile, teams such as Millville, Randolph, Ramapo and North Hunterdon climbed multiple spots in the rankings after winning their sectional semifinals.
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. St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1)
The Trojans have won nine-straight after a Week 0 loss to Timber Creek, 26-21. That includes wins over public school teams still alive in Edison and Hillside. The Edison-based school finished No. 3 in power points in Non-Public B, but drew a No. 5 seed. The veteran team is led by four-year starting quarterback Jayden Young.
Next game: Friday at Holy Spirit (7-1)
24. Irvington (8-3)
Nasir Addison caught three passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns, but turnovers were too costly for the Blue Knights in a 17-13 loss to Northern Highlands in Friday's North 1, Group 4 semifinals. Famah Toure had two sacks in his final game for Irvington before heading to Rutgers, while brother Vaboue Toure had an interception that kept Irvington in the game. It was the first matchup between the teams since last season's North, Group 4 regional bowl game at SHI Stadium.
Next game: Season complete
23. Wayne Valley (10-1)
The Indians were seeded No. 3 in North 2, Group 4 and lost in Friday’s semifinals to second-seeded and then-17th-ranked Randolph, 31-28. Senior Alex Scheuplein threw for 160 yards, including TD passes of 51 yards to senior Adam Okun and 45 yards to senior Chris Jun. Scheuplein ran for 174 yards and two TDs, and his 5-yard score in the third provided a 28-20 lead.
Next game: Season complete
22. Middletown South (8-1)
Junior running back Donovan Summey ran for 118 yards and a TD on 16 carries and threw a 33-yard TD pass to senior receiver Logan Colleran, junior Jake Czwakiel ran for a TD and kicked a 35-yard field goal and sophomore linebacker Luke Wafle forced a fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Colin Gallagher and Will Gallagher forced a fumble that lineman Tommy Whyte recovered as the Eagles defeated defending Central Group 4 champion Winslow Township 24-10 in a NJSIAA Central Group 4 semifinal to advance to a sectional final for the second straight season. Middletown South will bid for its 11th sectional championship and first since it went 12-0 in 2015.
Next game:
21. Delbarton (5-5)
Joseph Skuraton rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown as the Green Wave rolled in the first round of the Non-Public A state playoffs with a 42-6 win over St. Joseph (Met.) on Saturday. Ryan Trafford rushed nine times for 83 yards and two more touchdowns for Delbarton, which got back to winning after consecutive losses to end the regular season.
Next game: Friday at St. Peter's Prep (7-3)
20. North Hunterdon (10-1)
The top-seeded Lions rallied to beat fifth-seeded Morris Knolls 25-14 in the North 2 Group 4 semifinals after trailing 14-0 after the first quarter. Luke Martini threw for 231 yards (14-of-22) and two touchdowns to Derek Vaddis. The quarterback also rushed for a TD and Navy-commit Kente Edwards had 103 yards on the ground and a score. North Hunterdon has won seven straight.
Next game: Friday vs. Randolph (9-1)
19. DePaul (4-5)
The Spartans are seeded No. 2 in Non-Public B, which opens this weekend. Sophomore Dez Jones is among North Jersey’s receiving leaders with 50 catches for 773 yards. Freshman Derek Zammit has thrown for 857 yards and seven TDs in place of injured junior and 1,000-yard passer Patrick Grusser. Senior Luke Monteyne leads North Jersey in field goals with six.
Next game: Friday vs. Immaculata (4-5)
18. Ramapo (8-2)
The Green Raiders are seeded No. 2 in North 1, Group 4 and outpointed third-seeded Ridge in Friday’s semifinals, 34-27. Senior Jack Grusser threw for 294 yards, including TD passes to seniors Ben Robinson and Will Scordato and junior Landon De Prima. Senior Christian Stettner’s interception in the final two minutes helped seal the victory.
Next game: Friday vs. Northern Highlands (7-3)
17. Seton Hall Prep (5-5)
Liam Londergan threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more as the Pirates ended a four-game losing streak and beat Pope John, 42-13, in Saturday's Non-Public A first round. Londergan found Casey O'Sullivan and Michael Dunmore for touchdown passes while also rushing for scores of 28 and 33 yards in the third quarter to ice the game. Darren Burton's 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter gave the Pirates a two-touchdown lead they would not relinquish.
Next game: Saturday at St. Joseph (Mont.) (6-4)
16. Holy Spirit (7-1)
Another week of rest for the Spartans, who haven’t taken the field since a 31-27 comeback win at Kingsway on Oct. 21. Holy Spirit makes its 36th postseason appearance and is chasing the program’s 12th title in its history. The Spartans have won five straight since a 30-26 setback to St. Joseph Academy on Sept. 9. The team has scored 21 or more points in all eight games this season.
Next game: Friday vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1)
15. Randolph (9-1)
A 30-yard field goal by Aidan Flowers as time expired lifted Randolph to a 31-28 win over previously unbeaten Wayne Valley on Friday night in the North 2, Group 4 semifinals. Stephen Petruziello rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns while Sean Clark threw for 185 yards, but ran in for an important touchdown. The Rams will try to win their first sectional title since 2010 on Friday night.
Next game: Friday at North Hunterdon (10-1)
14. Millville (8-2)
Quarterback Jacob Zamot continued his torrid postseason, leading another potent aerial attack that lifted the Thunderbolts to a 34-16 win over Jackson Memorial in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinal round. Zamot completed 20 of 30 passes for 294 yards and two scores. In two playoff games, Zamot has thrown for over 520 yards with seven TDs and zero interceptions. The QB has 22 touchdown passes in 10 games. Millville returns to the title game for the second straight season and takes a five-game winning streak into the contest.
Next game: Friday at Hammonton (9-2)
13. Westwood (10-0)
The Cardinals are seeded No. 2 in North 1, Group 2 and pulled away to a 40-3 victory over Jefferson in Friday’s semifinals. They have outscored opponents, 373-30. Senior three-way standout Jack Dugan ran for 116 yards and scored all five of his TDs in the second half to help extend a 7-3 lead. Dugan had nine tackles, three pass breakups and three touchbacks.
Next game: Friday at Rutherford (10-0)
12. Newton (10-0)
Thaylor Sibblies and Brayden Nolan combined for 260 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Braves rolled into the North 2, Group 2 sectional final with a 35-14 win over Glen Rock on Friday. Demarius Posey and Matthew May also found the end zone for Newton, which reaches the sectional final for the first time since 2018.
Next game: Friday at Caldwell (10-0)
11. Caldwell (10-0)
Joey Marinello and Harry Boland combined to score five touchdowns as the Chiefs cruised into the North 2, Group 2 final with a 42-7 win over Ramsey on Friday. Marinello and Boland each had rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, but shined defensively in the first quarter as well. Marinello returned an interception 49 yards, while Boland returned a fumble 86 yards as Caldwell started fast with a 21-0 lead. The Chiefs have won a state-best 25 straight games.
Next game: Friday vs Newton (10-0)
10. West Morris (11-0)
Stefano Montella rushed for 203 yards and five touchdowns as the Wolfpack reached the North 2, Group 3 sectional final with a 49-15 win over Warren Hills on Friday night. Montella set a new school record with 53 career rushing touchdowns, passing current NFL player Mike Burton's mark of 51. The Wolfpack have won 16 in a row.
Next game: Friday vs West Essex (7-3)
9. St. Joseph (Montvale) (6-4)
The Green Knights are seeded No. 4 in Non-Public A and opened with Saturday’s 45-13 victory over 13th-seeded Paul VI. They scored 45 consecutive points after allowing a game-opening score. Senior Luke Tucci ran for 79 yards and three TDs and sophomore Joey Gaston threw for 168 yards and both his TD passes were to sophomore Mekhi Rossignol.
Next game: Saturday vs. Seton Hall Prep (5-5)
8. Phillipsburg (10-0)
The top-seeded Stateliners rolled to a 37-6 win over Eastside (Paterson) in the North 2 Group 5 semifinals. Phillipsburg held a 329-119 edge in total yards and only allowed a late touchdown. Four different players scored led by Xavier Moore’s two rushing touchdowns. Jett Genovese threw for 154 yards and a 44-yard TD pass to Isaiah Jackson and rushed for a score. The Stateliners have outscored their two playoff opponents by a combined 86-19.
Next game: Friday vs. West Orange (7-3)
7. Toms River North (11-0)
Junior quarterback Micah Ford continued his sensational season by rushing for 257 yards on 21 carries with touchdown runs of 15, 21 and 85 yards, was 6-for-6 for 123 yards with TD passes of 29 yards to junior receiver Tareq Council and 6 yards to senior tight end Ty Kazanowsky and he also had an interception on defense as the Mariners defeated Marlboro 42-6 in a NJSIAA South Group 5 semifinal. Junior Jeremiah Pruitt added a 4-yard TD run. Toms River North has outscored its opponents 542-80 and is 11-0 for the first time since 2016. Toms River North will get a chance to avenge a defeat from last year's South Group 5 final and win its first sectional title since 2015 and seventh overall.
Next game: Friday vs. Kingsway (7-3)
6. Red Bank Catholic (8-1)
The Caseys did not play and will begin their bid to repeat as NJSIAA Non-Public B champions this week. Red Bank Catholic defeated Curtis (N.Y.) 57-36 in their previous game on Oct. 28 in their final regular season game.
Next game: Friday vs. Gloucester Catholic (5-3).
5. Delsea (10-0)
The Crusaders’ ground attack flattened another victim during a 49-14 rout of Eastside in the South Jersey Group 3 semifinal round. Delsea’s running game produced 317 yards, raising the team’s total to over 3,400 yards in 10 games. Wayne Adair ran for 167 yards and four touchdowns to lead the way. Delsea will make its 20th appearance in a sectional final and owns 14 titles.
Next game: Friday vs. Hopewell Valley (10-0)
4. Camden (9-1)
The Panthers’ defense pitched its second shutout of the postseason, blanking defending sectional champion Cedar Creek, 25-0, in the Central Jersey Group 3 semifinal. Tahmir Bush’s pick-6 highlighted the defensive effort for Camden, which has three shutouts in its last four games. The Panthers have held opponents to one score or fewer in eight of 10 games this season.
Next game: Friday at Seneca (10-0)
3. St. Peter's Prep (7-3)
The Marauders are seeded No. 3 in Non-Public A and opened with Friday’s 57-22 victory over 14th-seeded Notre Dame. Senior Champ Long threw for 281 yards and five TDs to raise his season totals to 2,456 yards and 30 scores. Junior Kenyon Massey caught three TD passes and junior Hassan Moore had five receptions for 112 yards and a score.
Next game: Friday vs. Delbarton (5-5)
2. Bergen Catholic (8-1)
The Crusaders are defending champs and No. 2 seed in Non-Public A and received a first-round bye. They have outscored foes, 297-147. The QB duo of sophomore Dominic Campanile and senior Jack Duffy has combined for 1,402 passing yards and 15 TDs. Senior Saeed St. Fleur has rushed for 1,071 yards and 12 TDs. Senior Malachi Mercer has 88 tackles and four interceptions.
Next game: Saturday vs. Donovan Catholic (6-3)
1. Don Bosco (7-2)
The Ironmen are the No. 1 seed in Non-Public A and received a first-round bye. They have outscored opponents, 322-232. They are 6-0 against state competition. Senior Nick Minicucci has thrown for 1,737 yards and 18 TDs. Junior Logan Bush has rushed for 1,033 yards and 10 TDs. Sophomore Nolan James has 38 receptions for 481 yards and five scores.
Next game: Friday vs. St. Augustine (6-4)
Also receiving votes: Hammonton (9-2), Old Tappan (9-1), Passaic Tech (9-2), Rutherford (10-0), St. Augustine (6-4), Union City (9-1), West Orange (7-3).
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football rankings: Public, Non-Public playoffs alter Top 25
