7 things that stood out at the Super Football Conference schedule release show
The Super Football Conference held its 2024 schedule release show at American Dream on Wednesday night.
The New Jersey high school football season is scheduled to begin with Week 0 the weekend of Friday, August 30. Teams have nine weeks to play eight regular season games. Teams that have traditional Thanksgiving Day games − or want to play a ninth game − can play nine games.
These were the schedules produced by the administrators of the Super Football Conference. There could still be changes if teams agree.
SCHEDULES: Super Football Conference releases 2024 schedules for every team
Marquee games
The SFC is pitting its two best public schools against one another in Week 5 when Group 5 finalist Passaic Tech takes on Group 4 finalist Ramapo. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Ramapo is still looking for a new coach.
The other splashy match-ups are 2022 Group 3 state champ Old Tappan opening up against 2023 Group 3 finalist West Essex in Week 0 (Aug. 30). Ramapo faces Group 5 power Montclair in Week 4, and Caldwell comes to face Westwood the same week (Sept. 20). Caldwell and Westwood were on a collision course in 2023, but Lakeland upset the Chiefs and Westwood went on to win the Group 2 title.
The big rematch
Bergen Catholic’s schedule is still not 100 percent official, but one game announced on Wednesday night was a rematch of the 2023 Non-Public A final. Bergen Catholic is scheduled to visit Delbarton in Week 8.
The Crusaders, who have finished No. 1 in New Jersey the last three years, beat the Green Wave, 24-14, at MetLife Stadium.
The toughest road
Listen, every coach will look at their schedules and say they’re tough but, pound for pound, no team may have it tougher than Wayne Valley.
The Indians open the season with a game in Ohio, then face Northern Highlands on the road and face Passaic Valley. Of the nine teams Wayne Valley is scheduled to play in 2024, seven made the playoffs in 2023, and the eight New Jersey teams finished with a combined record of 57-32.
New Jersey vs. New York
The Super Football Conference maintained its relationship with the New York Catholic High School Football League, arranging for several games in Week 2 between non-public teams.
The list includes Don Bosco vs. St. Anthony, DePaul at Cardinal Hayes and Delbarton at Monsignor Farrell.
Taking a trip
The next North Jersey school to make an out-of-state trip will be Ramsey.
The Rams will travel to Orlando in Week 0 to face a team yet to be determined.
Open dates
While the SFC schedule show revealed more than 90 percent of the full schedules, there were some gaps, especially for North Jersey's non-public superpowers.
Bergen Catholic’s first announced game comes against New York power Iona Prep in Week 2, but the Crusaders have open dates for marquee out-of-state games in Week 0 and Week 1.
Don Bosco’s schedule remains in flux. The Ironmen thought they may have a "Week 00” game which would have been the weekend of Friday, Aug. 23, but the NJSIAA isn’t starting games until Aug. 30. So the Ironmen have an open week in Week 0, but anticipate hosting Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) in Week 1.
New/returning St. Joseph coach Augie Hoffmann’s debut is still not set. The Green Knights have an open date for Week 0, and are scheduled to play at Seton Hall Prep in Week 1.
The rivalry games (kickoff times TBA)
Eastside at Clifton, Sept. 6
Ramsey at Mahwah, Sept. 13
Montclair at Bloomfield, Sept. 13
Verona at Cedar Grove, Sept. 13
Don Bosco at Bergen Catholic, Sept. 28
Wayne Valley at Wayne Hills, Oct. 4
Lakeland at West Milford, Oct. 4
Morris Hills at Morris Knolls, Oct. 11
West Orange at East Orange, Oct. 18
Northern Highlands at Ramapo, Oct. 25
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: What stood out at SFC schedule release show
