NJ football rankings: Statewide Top 25 heading into the postseason

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

Two new teams joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey statewide Top 25 rankings after an exciting Week 8.

The public school playoffs begin this week, while non-public teams still have one regular-season game left to play.

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. North Hunterdon (8-1)

The Lions topped Voorhees, 35-7, in the 47th annual Milk Can Game between the two rivals as Luke Martini threw three touchdown passes. North Hunterdon enters the Top 25 with five straight wins since losing to Phillipsburg on Sept. 16. The Lions have beaten six playoff teams and drew the No. 1 seed in North 2, Group 4.

Next game: Friday vs. Middletown North (3-4)

24. Ramapo (6-2)

All-New Jersey senior QB Jack Grusser returned after missing three games with a high-ankle sprain and led the Green Raiders to Friday’s 38-12 home victory over Ridgewood. Grusser threw for 234 yards and three TDs, including two to senior Will Scordato, and ran for 45 yards. Senior Ethan Moran ran for 86 yards and two scores.

Next game: Friday vs. Woodbridge (4-5)

23. Point Pleasant Boro (8-0)

Junior running back Jake Croce's 7-yard TD run in overtime gave the Panthers a hard-fought 19-13 win over St. John Vianney and clinched the outright Shore Conference Independence Division championship. Point Boro had snuffed out a fake field goal attempt on St. John Vianney's overtime possession to set the stage for Croce's winning score.

Next game: Friday vs. Overbrook (5-4) in a Central Group 2 quarterfinal.

Holy Spirit's Robert McDevitt, center, celebrates with teammates Gavin Cohen, left, and Mason Forte, right, after Holy Spirit defeated Kingsway, 31-27, in the football game played at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township on Friday, October 21, 2022.
Holy Spirit's Robert McDevitt, center, celebrates with teammates Gavin Cohen, left, and Mason Forte, right, after Holy Spirit defeated Kingsway, 31-27, in the football game played at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township on Friday, October 21, 2022.

22. Holy Spirit (7-1)

The Spartans pulled off an incredible comeback, scoring 25 unanswered points en route to a 31-27 road win over Kingsway on Friday. The win clinched the West Jersey Football League Continental Division title. Quarterback Sean Burns completed 35 of 52 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Burns set the school record for single-season passing yards with 2,174, eclipsing the old mark of 2,104 held by Al Mallen since 1988.

Next game: Non-Public B playoffs, TBD

21. Pennsauken (8-0)

The Indians wrapped up an undefeated regular season with a 32-14 victory at Vineland on Saturday. Dante Viccharelli opened and closed the Pennsauken scoring with TD passes, the first to Premier Wynn in the opening quarter and the last to Shane Kenner in the fourth quarter. Viccharelli finished with three touchdown throws, connecting with Wynn a second time just before halftime.

Next game: Friday vs. Long Branch (4-3)

20. Randolph (7-1)

The Rams appear to be in postseason form after a 24-13 win over Morris Knolls on Saturday. Sean Clark threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns while Stephen Petruziello rushed for 111 yards and another score. The victory serves as a potential playoff preview with both teams placed in the North 2, Group 4 bracket and the Rams as the No. 2 seed.

Next game: Friday vs. Rahway (4-4)

19. Delbarton (4-4)

A four-game winning streak for the Green Wave ended with a 21-10 loss at DePaul on Friday. Robert Russo found Philip Folmar for the lone Delbarton touchdown of the night while Dallas Hurley led a strong defensive effort with 16 tackles. The Green Wave have a big test upcoming that could impact playoff seeding in Non-Public A.

Next game: Saturday at St. Joseph (Montvale) (4-4)

18. Millville (6-2)

Break up the ‘Bolts. The team has regained its momentum with a three-game winning streak that includes a 31-20 win over Cherokee on Friday. Jacob Zamot threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns, both to sophomore Lotzeir Brooks. Millville has erupted for 93 combined points over its last three games.

Next game: Friday vs. Lacey (3-5)

NorthJersey.com's Greg Tartaglia and Greg Mattura interview DePaul Catholic players during the Super Football Conference media day, hosted by the New York Jets, at MetLife Stadium on Monday, August 22, 2022.
NorthJersey.com's Greg Tartaglia and Greg Mattura interview DePaul Catholic players during the Super Football Conference media day, hosted by the New York Jets, at MetLife Stadium on Monday, August 22, 2022.

17. DePaul (4-4)

The Spartans return to the Top 25 after clinching the SFC United White Division title with Friday’s 21-10 home win over then-No. 15 Delbarton. Freshman reserve QB Derek Zammit threw two TD passes after replacing injured junior Patrick Grusser, who opened 6-for-6 with a score. Sophomore Da'zie Jones had eight catches for 122 yards.

Next game: Friday at Don Bosco (6-2)

16. Wayne Valley (9-0)

The Indians surpassed 30 points for the fifth consecutive week with Friday’s 36-15 home win over Mount Olive. Senior Danny Smith caught TD passes of 72 and 71 yards, and ran for 64 yards and a score to help open a 28-0 lead. Senior Alex Scheuplein went 7-for-10 for 200 yards and two TDs and ran for a score.

Next game: Friday vs. Chatham (6-3)

15. Westwood (8-0)

The Cardinals’ 28-0 victory Friday at Ridgefield Park marked their second consecutive shutout and fifth of the season. They have outscored opponents 299-27. Senior Jack Dugan ran for 67 yards and three TDs, senior Colby Laughton ran for 103 yards, and junior Robbie Carcich threw for 136 yards and ran for 62 yards and a score.

Next game: Friday vs. Hanover Park (5-3)

14. Irvington (7-2)

The Blue Knights have righted the ship, winning for the third week 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 the title defense at home as the top seed in North 1, Group 4.

Next game: Friday vs Sayreville (4-4)

13. Newton (8-0)

Brayden Nolan eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing for the season with a 214-yard explosion in a 33-29 win over Sparta on Friday night. The Braves have collectively run for a combined 2,800 yards on the ground. Newton has now won 30 consecutive games in the regular season and is the No. 2 seed in North 2, Group 2 for the second year in a row.

Next game: Friday vs Becton (4-4)

12. Seton Hall Prep (4-4)

The Pirates dropped six spots following a 42-17 loss to St. Joseph (Montvale) 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 non-public seedings into a frenzy if they can upset St. Peter's Prep this week.

Next game: Saturday at St. Peter's Prep (5-3)

Caldwell's Harry Boland runs the ball as Mountain Lakes' Gavin Ananian defends during the first half of a football game at Mountain Lakes High School on October 21, 2022.
Caldwell's Harry Boland runs the ball as Mountain Lakes' Gavin Ananian defends during the first half of a football game at Mountain Lakes High School on October 21, 2022.

11. 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)

10. West Morris (9-0)

Stefano Montella rushed 30 times for 233 yards and two touchdowns as West Morris ran over Morristown, 42-21 on Saturday. Montella broke the career school rushing record, previously held by current NFL fullback Mike Burton, as he now stands at 3,527 career yards. The Wolfpack storm into the postseason seeking to repeat as regional champions as the top seed in North 2, Group 3.

Next game: Friday vs Hackettstown (5-3)

9. St. Joseph (Montvale) (4-4)

The Green Knights dominated the second half and pulled away to a 42-17 win at then-No. 6 Seton Hall Prep on Saturday. Sophomore Joey Gaston threw for 120 yards and a TD, and ran for 111 yards and two scores. Junior Yasin Willis ran for 100 yards and two scores. Sophomore Jahmir Joseph capped a game-ending 35-point run with a 43-yard pick six.

Next game: Saturday vs. Delbarton (4-4)

8. Phillipsburg (8-0)

The Stateliners wrapped up their undefeated regular season with a 28-0 win over East Brunswick, boosted by Caleb Rivera’s three rushing touchdowns. Phillipsburg beat seven playoff teams and outscored opponents by an average of 30-9 per game on the way to earning the top seed in North Group 5.

Next game: Friday vs. Elizabeth (2-6)

TRN Jeremiah Pruitt tries to cut back and avoid the grasp of Midd North Colin Jacques. Toms River North Football dominates Middletown North in Middletown, NJ on October 21, 2022
TRN Jeremiah Pruitt tries to cut back and avoid the grasp of Midd North Colin Jacques. Toms River North Football dominates Middletown North in Middletown, NJ on October 21, 2022

7. Toms River North (9-0)

Junior quarterback Micah Ford ran for 137 yards and three TDs and two 2-point conversions as the Mariners overcame an early deficit and defeated Middletown North, 50-6, to clinch the outright Shore Conference Colonial Division championship. Junior Jeremiah Pruitt ran for two TDs and sophomore Mordecai Ford had a 43-yard TD run in the win. Toms River North has outscored its last seven opponents 383-19.

Next game: Friday vs. Old Bridge (5-4)

6. Red Bank Catholic (7-1)

Senior running back Sabino Portella ran for 192 yards and three TDs as the Caseys defeated Rumson-Fair Haven, 42-14, and clinched the outright Shore Conference American Division championship.Sophomore quarterback Frankie Williams threw TD passes to junior receiver Emanuel Ross and senior receiver Najih Rahman, and junior Davin Brewton ran for a score.

Next game: Friday vs. Curtis (N.Y.) (3-3)

5. Delsea (8-0)

The Crusaders overcame three first-half turnovers and a 14-point deficit to extend their unbeaten streak to eight and clinch the West Jersey Football League Independence Division title with a 33-27 victory over St. Joseph Academy. Jared Schoppe scored three touchdowns, raising his season total to 17, while Wayne Adair rushed for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 52 seconds left in regulation.

Next game: Friday vs. Deptford (4-4)

4. Camden (7-1)

The Panthers posted a season-high in points during a 49-7 rout of Camden Catholic, extending the team’s winning streak to seven. Camden’s defense has been relentless all season, only allowing more than 10 points once. In its last four games, the Panthers have yielded just 18 combined points.

Next game: Friday vs. Nottingham (5-3)

Camden's Deante Ruffin runs the ball during the football game between Camden and Haddonfield played at Haddonfield Memorial High School on Friday, October 7, 2022.
Camden's Deante Ruffin runs the ball during the football game between Camden and Haddonfield played at Haddonfield Memorial High School on Friday, October 7, 2022.

3. St. Peter's Prep (5-3)

The Marauders were outgunned Saturday at Bergen Catholic, 42-27. They totaled 492 yards in the loss. Senior Champ Long threw TD passes on their first two possessions to forge a 13-7 lead and finished 20-for-36 for 333 yards and four scores. Junior Kenyon Massey had seven catches for 140 yards and two scores, and senior Zion Fowler also caught two touchdown passes.

Next game: Saturday vs. Seton Hall Prep (4-4)

2. Bergen Catholic (7-1)

The Crusaders pulled away to Saturday’s 42-27 win over St. Peter’s Prep. They totaled 384 yards in the win. Sophomore Quincy Porter caught TD passes of 51, 24 and 62 yards to help build a 35-21 halftime lead. Senior Saeed St. Fleur ran for 150 yards and a score. Sophomore Dominic Campanile threw for two TDs and ran for a score. Senior Joseph Barry had two interceptions.

Next game: Saturday vs. Paramus Catholic (2-6)

1. Don Bosco (6-2)

The Ironmen maintained the inside track on the No. 1 seed in the heavyweight Non-Public A playoffs thanks to Friday’s 56-21 win at Paramus Catholic. Senior Nick Minicucci threw for 230 yards and two TDs and ran for a score. Junior Logan Bush ran for 168 yards and three TDs, and sophomore Nolan James ran for 63 yards and two scores.

Next game: Friday vs. DePaul (4-4)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Middletown South (6-1), Rutherford (8-0), Union City (7-1).

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football rankings: Statewide Top 25 heading into postseason