Football: 3 new teams join New Jersey Super 25 rankings as regular season winds down

Posted by Admin October 22, 2024 Football

Spread the love

Three new teams joined the New Jersey Super 25 rankings after Week 7 of the high school football season.

Pascack Valley, Rancocas Valley and Atlantic City all join the rankings for the first time following big wins.

Week 8 is the final week of the regular season for public schools and the second-to-last week of the regular season for non-public schools. The schedule features four games between ranked teams: Millville at St. Augustine, Old Tappan at Pascack Valley, Delbarton at DePaul, and Bergen Catholic at St. Joseph (Montvale).

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

25. Atlantic City (6-2)

Public ranking: 17

The Vikings rattled off their sixth straight win with a 57-14 rout over Hammonton. One week after throwing for a school-record 393 yards, senior quarterback Khajuan Roseborough broke the mark by one yard against Hammonton. In his last two games, Roseborough has thrown for 787 yards and nine touchdowns, raising his season totals to 1,695 yards and 18 passing TDs.

Next game: TBD in Group 5 playoffs

24. Point Pleasant Borough (6-2)

Public ranking: 16

Sophomore slotback Nick Spanola returned a kickoff 84 yards for a TD, and ran for 97 yards and a TD as the Panthers defeated Manasquan, 49-14. Senior running back Dylan Reitmeyer ran for two TDs and sophomore quarterback Jake Clayton, senior quarterback Mike Ollendorf and senior slotback Colin Obser all had TD runs. Clayton ran for 100 yards on 11 carries and also intercepted a pass on defense.

Next game: Friday at Howell (3-4)

23. Glassboro (7-0)

Public ranking: 15

While the Bulldogs were held to their lowest point total of the season, it didn’t stop them from extending their unbeaten streak to seven with a 20-10 win over Schalick on Friday. Brothers Xavier and Amari Sabb finished off long touchdown pass plays of 63 and 70 yards, respectively, and Kenny Smith ran for a short touchdown as Glassboro took a 20-10 lead into the intermission. The Bulldogs have surrendered 10 points in each of their last two games after posting four straight shutouts.

Next game: Friday vs. Woodstown (7-0)

22. Mainland (5-3)

Public ranking: 14

The Mustangs took a 7-0 lead into the second quarter but couldn’t carry the momentum any further as they suffered a 47-24 loss to visiting Winslow. Quarterback John Franchini threw for a pair of scores to Dylan Granzow and Jake Blum. Mainland has surrendered 40 or more points twice this season after allowing just 99 total in last year’s 14-0 state championship run.

Next game: Friday at Delsea (2-5)

21. St. Augustine (5-3)

Non-public ranking: 8

The Hermits fell for the second time in three weeks as they watched an 11-point lead fade away in a 20-14 loss at Rancocas Valley. St. Augustine posted 181 offensive yards in the first half, but were held to just 10 yards over the final 24 minutes. The Hermits are 0-3 in their last three road games.

Next game: Friday vs. Millville (6-1)

20. Pascack Valley

Public ranking: 13

The Panthers debut in the Super 25 after Friday’s 35-7 win snapped River Dell’s six-game winning streak. Junior Adam Shaw threw for career highs of 171 yards and four TDs, and ran for 102 yards and a score. Shaw threw TD passes of 41 and 38 yards to junior Dante Dacosta and 14 and 40 yards to senior Michael Fronzaglia. They beat fellow Super 25 newcomer Rancocas Valley back in Week 0.

Next game: Friday vs. Old Tappan (6-2)

19. Rancocas Valley (6-2)

Public ranking: 12

The Red Devils’ defense delivered three takeaways and allowed just 10 yards in the second half en route to a 20-14 home win over St. Augustine. Rancocas Valley has won three in a row and finished its regular season at 4-0 at Bill Gordon Field. All three turnovers – interceptions by Daniel Rivers-King and Montre Wilson, and a fumble recovery by David Dones – led to points for Rancocas Valley. RV’s defense has yielded just 21 points over the last three weeks.

Next game: Friday at Lenape (1-7)

18. Somerville (8-0)

Public ranking: 11

The Pioneers intercepted four passes in the first half and used big plays to top Plainfield, 30-7. Brady Scheier intercepted two passes and caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Brenden Pacheco. Terrell Mitchell and Josh Rodriguez each added two scores, and Somerville has outscored its three opponents this month, 127-14.

Next game: Friday vs. Watchung Hills (5-3)

17. West Morris (7-1)

Public ranking: 10

Brady Aashburn rushed for a touchdown and returned an interception 27 yards for a score minutes later in a 49-0 win over Roxbury on Friday night. The Wolfpack rushed for 375 yards and five touchdowns as a team for their sixth straight victory. West Morris ranks No. 4 in the North, Group 3 UPR standings entering the final week of the regular season.

Next game: Friday at Mount Olive (4-3)

16. St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2)

Non-public ranking: 7

The Trojans rallied with a big second half to top previously state-ranked St. Joseph (Metuchen), 34-20. Chukwuma Odoh rushed for 189 yards and two scores, and freshman Ca’si Thomas added 132 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, Josiah Zayas caught his 13th touchdown pass and snagged his sixth interception.

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

15. Phillipsburg (6-1)

Public ranking: 9

Matt Scerbo Jr. became Phillipsburg’s all-time leader in career receiving yards after catching three passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the Stateliners’ 44-0 win over Union. Jett Genovese completed 6 of 6 passes for 255 yards and four scores as Phillipsburg won its fourth straight.

Next game: Friday at Bridgewater-Raritan (3-5)

14. Camden (6-2)

Public ranking: 8

The Panthers won their third straight home game with a 34-17 triumph over Lenape at Farnham Park. Mahki Brunson completed 13 of 20 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns, and added two TDs on the ground. Christian Braxton rushed for 156 yards and a TD while Malik Redd-Hubbard caught five passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: TBD in Group 2 playoffs

13. Morris Knolls (7-0)

Public ranking: 7

Quarterback Chris Kaiser rushed for a pair of touchdowns, including a 58-yard run in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 35-28 win over Morristown. Morris Knolls tied the game at 21 before the half on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Kaiser to Ayden Espeut. The Golden Eagles clinched the SFC Liberty White division title with the victory.

Next game: Friday at West Essex (6-1)

12. Ridge (6-1)

Public ranking: 6

Connor McLachlan scored two rushing touchdowns and threw another as the Red Devils topped North Brunswick, 42-14, to win their sixth straight game. Nick Pfenning added a 38-yard interception return for a score and made a team-high eight tackles. Ridge has outscored opponents 179-44 over its last four victories.

Next game: Friday vs. Westfield (4-3)

11. Old Tappan (7-0)

Public ranking: 5

The Golden Knights registered their third consecutive shutout, 35-0, Friday at Wayne Hills. They led by that score at halftime with senior Nick Rossi running for two TDs. Senior Alex Orecchio and sophomore Zach Miceli ran for TDs, and Miceli threw a 12-yard score to junior Joey Crescitelli.

Next game: Friday vs. Pascack Valley (6-1)

10. Rumson-Fair Haven (7-0)

Public ranking: 4

Senior quarterback Owen O’Toole became the school’s all-time leader in career passing yards by throwing for 329 yards in the Bulldogs’ wild 56-32 win over Donovan Catholic. O’Toole completed 26 of 31 passes with TD throws to senior receiver Nick Thomas and junior tight end Jack Gyimesi. Junior running back Kellen Murray ran for 85 yards four TDs, and senior defensive back Evan Ridgway returned an interception 36 yards for a score.

Next game: Friday vs. Colts Neck (0-7)

9. Holy Spirit (7-1)

Non-public ranking: 6

Jachere Ward rushed for a touchdown with 36 seconds left in regulation as Holy Spirit avoided a road upset with a 15-13 victory at Ocean City on Friday. The Spartans have now won seven in a row. Mason Forte booted three field goals as Holy Spirit took a 9-0 lead into the fourth quarter. The defense allowed just one touchdown and hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in any game during its winning streak.

Next game: Nov. 1 at St. Joseph Academy (2-6)

8. Millville (6-1)

Public ranking: 3

Coming off its bye week, the Thunderbolts offense put up a season-high in points with a 57-14 victory at Cherokee. Alabama-bound Lotzeir Brooks caught six passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. The senior raised his career reception total to 200, breaking the previous South Jersey record of 195 set by Cedar Creek’s JoJo Bermudez in 2021. On the ground, Demere White rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Next game: Friday at St. Augustine (5-3)

7. Delbarton (5-2)

Non-public ranking: 5

Jadon Prinzivalli threw for 223 yards, but the Green Wave could not catch up to Bergen Catholic in a 42-13 loss to the Crusaders on Saturday afternoon. The loss snaps a four-game win streak for Delbarton and is the first loss to an in-state opponent since these two teams met in last season’s Non-Public A state final at MetLife Stadium. Brock Dandridge rushed for a 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for Delbarton’s only score.

Next game: Friday at DePaul (7-0)

6. St. Joseph (Montvale) (5-2)

Non-public ranking: 4

The Green Knights broke 40 points for the third time this season with Saturday’s 41-14 victory at Pope John. Junior quarterback Mason Geis threw for 201 yards, including TD passes to seniors Jovon Williams and Mekhi Rossignol. Junior Nate Bailey rushed for 116 yards and three scores.

Next game: Saturday vs. Bergen Catholic (6-1)

5. Don Bosco (4-3)

Non-public ranking: 3

The Ironmen registered their second shutout of the season with Friday’s 28-0 victory over Seton Hall Prep. Senior Deven Sisler threw for 232 yards, including a 5-yard TD to sophomore Isaiah Alvarez and 7-yard score to senior Renick Dorilas for a 14-0 halftime lead. Junior Dante DeLuca ran for 102 yards and two TDs.

Next game: Friday at Paramus Catholic (3-4)

4. Toms River North (8-0)

Public ranking: 2

Senior quarterback T.J Valerio threw two TD passes to senior wide receiver Nasir Jackson and another to senior Mekai Morse as the Mariners defeated Southern, 35-0, for their third straight shutout and fourth of the season. Morse returned an interception 37 yards for a TD, and senior running back Mordecai Ford ran for a TD as Toms River North extended its winning streaks to 13 overall and 34 against public schools.

Next game: Friday vs. Donovan Catholic (2-4)

3. Winslow (8-0)

Public ranking: 1

Facing just its second deficit of the season, the Eagles stormed back from a seven-point hole in the second quarter and reeled off 27 straight points en route to a 47-24 victory at Mainland. Jalen Parker threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair to Nyqir Helton and one on a great catch by Cam Miller.Jayden Poteat returned a kickoff 89 yards for a score as Winslow has posted 145 points combined in its last three games.

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

2. DePaul (7-0)

Non-public ranking: 2

The Spartans’ 54-21 victory Thursday at St. Peter’s Prep has them 7-0 for the first time since 1997. Junior Derek Zammit thew for 110 yards and four TDs, including two to senior Elijah Burress. Senior Dez Jones had team highs of five catches for 54 yards, including a 22-yard score. Senior Nolan James ran for 138 yards and two TDs.

Next game: Friday vs. Delbarton (5-2)

1. Bergen Catholic (6-1)

Non-public ranking: 1

The Crusaders dominated the second half and won Saturday at then-No. 3 Delbarton, 42-13. Senior Dominic Campanile threw for 242 yards, with TD passes to seniors Quincy Porter, Anthony Perrotti and Naiim Parrish. Junior Najee Calhoun’s two third-quarter scores extended a 7-6 halftime lead to 21-6.

Next game: Saturday at St. Joseph (Montvale) (5-2)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Mendham (7-1), Paramus Catholic (3-4), St. Joseph (Metuchen) (5-2), Union City (6-1)