NJ football rankings: New team joins Statewide Public Top 20 with playoffs set to begin

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

After the final week of the high school football season for public schools, one new team joined the USA TODAY NETWORK Statewide Public Top 20 rankings.

Timber Creek cracks the rankings for the first time after completing an undefeated season. The public-school playoffs begin this week after brackets were released over the weekend.

The Statewide Non-Public Top 10 rankings remained unchanged from last week but two big matchups loom this week in the final week of the non-public regular season.

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

PUBLIC TOP 20 RANKINGS

Timber Creek's Chase Conway runs the ball during the football game between Timber Creek and Willingboro played at Timber Creek High School on Friday, September 8, 2023.
Timber Creek's Chase Conway runs the ball during the football game between Timber Creek and Willingboro played at Timber Creek High School on Friday, September 8, 2023.

20. Timber Creek (8-0)

The Chargers clinched the West Jersey Football League Memorial Division title with a 41-6 win at Eastern on Friday. Victor Oquendo threw for three touchdowns and rushed for a fourth score to power the Timber Creek offense. The eight wins are the program's most in a season since going 10-1 in 2017. The Chargers are 21-11 in their playoff history.

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

19. Weequahic (8-0)

Rashawn Marshall rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns as the Indians finished an undefeated regular season with a 16-7 win over Immaculata on Friday night. Tyheed Simmons led the defense with 18 tackles and an interception, but they did allow a touchdown for the first time all season. Weequahic outscored opponents during the regular season 431-9.

Next game: Friday vs. Wood-Ridge (6-3)

18. Rutherford (8-0)

The Bulldogs won their third consecutive title in the small-school North Jersey Interscholastic Conference with Friday’s 26-7 victory at Park Ridge. Senior Cole Goumas ran for 171 yards and three TDs as the program stretched its winning streak against NJIC opponents to 24 games.

Next game: Friday vs. Lenape Valley (4-5)

17. Mount Olive (8-1)

Quarterback Jake Asbury rushed for a pair of touchdowns as the Marauders finished the regular season with a 28-0 win over Wayne Valley on Friday. Asbury also found Adam Dechristofaro for a fourth quarter touchdown pass, while Tyler Cumming also scored with a first quarter touchdown run.

Next game: Friday vs. Wayne Valley (4-5)

16. Union City (7-1)

The Soaring Eagles registered their fourth consecutive shutout and fifth overall, 21-0, Friday at Clifton. Senior Elijah Rose rushed for 124 yards and two TDs, and junior Mark Boyd ran for 103 yards and a score. Junior Jeremiah Hayes had a team-high seven tackles and Rose had six.

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

15. Roxbury (9-0)

Anthony Skawinski threw for 156 yards and three touchdowns as the Gaels completed a perfect regular season with a 41-0 win over Livingston on Friday night. Skawinski also rushed for a pair of touchdowns as Roxbury led 34-0 at halftime. It's the first time Roxbury has finished the regular season without a loss since an 8-0-2 record back in 1934.

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

14. Northern Highlands (7-2)

The reigning North Group 4 regional champions scored 35 points for the third consecutive week in Friday’s 35-7 win over Wayne Hills. Junior Matt Boydell ran for 165 yards and a TD. Junior Nate Johnson and seniors JR Walley and Aiden Gawrysiak combined to throw for 184 yards and two scores.

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

13. Old Tappan (7-1)

The defending Group 3 state champions secured their fourth shutout of the season, 40-0, Friday at Demarest. Juniors Alex Orecchio and Nico Rossi, and sophomore Devyn Radoian, ran for TDs, and Orecchio threw two TD passes. The Golden Knights have outscored opponents, 311-50.

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

12. Ridge (7-1)

The Red Devils led 13-7 at halftime before a big second half to top Union 26-7 for their sixth-straight win. Senior workhorse Will Deady rushed for 152 yards and a score on 30 carries. The Red Devils are the No. 2 seed in North 1, Group 4.

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

11. Ramapo (8-0)

The Green Raiders held their fifth foe to seven points or fewer with Friday’s 28-7 win at Ridgewood. Sophomore Tyler Ramiccio made a team-high 11 tackles. Senior Landon De Prima threw for 147 yards and three scores, and ran for 121 yards and a score. Senior James Magerko ran for 152 yards.

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

10. Phillipsburg (7-1)

The Stateliners rolled to a 49-7 win over East Brunswick. Sam Dech led the way with 131 rushing yards (9 yards per carry) and two scores. Phillipsburg has won four straight heading into the postseason. The Stateliners drew the top seed in North 2, Group 5.

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

9. Delsea (7-1)

The Crusaders won their sixth straight game with a 48-0 win over St. Joseph Academy. Junior Daniel Russo ran eight times for 101 yards and three scores. Russo eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season with at least 100 yards in each of his eight games. He’s also scored multi-touchdowns in six of those contests. Delsea owns a South Jersey-best 51 postseason wins.

Next game: Friday vs. Burlington Township (2-7)

Members of the Cherokee High School football team enter the field prior to the game between Millville and Cherokee played at Cherokee High School in Marlton on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Members of the Cherokee High School football team enter the field prior to the game between Millville and Cherokee played at Cherokee High School in Marlton on Friday, October 20, 2023.

8. Cherokee (6-2)

The Chiefs' vaunted defense showed some cracks during a 41-17 loss against visiting Millville. They had allowed just 36 points in its previous seven games combined. Cherokee quarterback Ryan Bender threw for two scores, but Millville’s defense pressured him into three interceptions. Cherokee has been one of the best postseason teams in South Jersey history with a 42-20 record.

Next game: Friday vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro (6-3)

7. Westwood (8-0)

The defending North 1, Group 2 sectional champions secured their fourth shutout, 35-0, Friday over Ridgefield Park. Senior Robbie Carcich threw for 86 yards and a TD, and ran for a score. Sophomore Steve Klein ran for 76 yards and two TDs, and senior Aidan Carrazana ran for a score. They have outscored foes, 283-33.

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

6. Camden (7-1)

The Panthers enjoyed a well-deserved week off and will take a seven-game winning streak into the postseason. Camden’s defense has resembled a Purple Avalanche for opponents, led by Richard “Wink” James with eight sacks. Azir Lee has recorded three of the team’s six interceptions. Camden is 14-15 in the postseason history.

Next game: Saturday vs. Carteret (7-2)

5. Mainland (9-0)

The Mustangs closed out their regular season with another dominating performance during a 53-0 win at Egg Harbor Township. Mainland has surpassed the 49-point mark in each of the last four weeks, outscoring opponents 212-20. The squad has posted five shutouts this season, including three in its last four games. Mainland boasts a 24-13 record in its postseason history.

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

4. Caldwell (8-0)

The Chiefs completed their third straight undefeated regular season with a 34-0 shutout win over Mountain Lakes on Friday night. Caldwell extended the state's longest active winning streak to 36 in a row. Louie Anemone threw for 204 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for three touchdowns. The Chiefs forced four interceptions, including three by Jake Gruzas.

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

Millville's A'Cear Cornish celebrates after a Millville defensive stop during the football game between Millville and Cherokee played at Cherokee High School in Marlton on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Millville's A'Cear Cornish celebrates after a Millville defensive stop during the football game between Millville and Cherokee played at Cherokee High School in Marlton on Friday, October 20, 2023.

3. Millville (7-1)

In what many thought would be the Game of the Year in South Jersey, Millville flexed its muscles en route to a 41-17 win at Cherokee. The Thunderbolts generated 350 yards of total offense and scored more points (41) than Cherokee had allowed in its previous seven games combined (36). Lotzeir Brooks scored twice, including his 40th career TD reception and a pick-6. The 41 points were a season high for Millville, which owns a 20-15 playoff record in its history.

Next game: Friday vs. Northern Burlington (4-5)

2. Toms River North (7-2)

Backup junior quarterback T.J. Valerio ran for a TD and threw two TD passes in the second half, but Red Bank Catholic rallied for the dramatic 35-28 overtime win. Senior quarterback Micah Ford opened the scoring with a 76-yard TD run on a fourth-and-1, but left the game with a lower leg injury after he was sacked late in the first quarter. The injury did not appear to be serious and Ford was standing on the sidelines through much of the rest of the game.

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

1. Passaic Tech (9-0)

The defending North Group 5 regional champions posted their third shutout, 30-0, Thursday at Eastside. Senior Ma’Kao Taylor threw for 105 yards and two TDs, and senior Trashon Dye ran for 87 yards and a score. Senior Jordan Alston made 12 tackles. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents, 243-52.

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

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: North Brunswick (8-0)

NON-PUBLIC TOP 10 RANKINGS

10. DePaul (3-5)

The Spartans’ 28-0 loss Saturday at Delbarton marked their first shutout defeat since 2007. They did not advance inside the 20-yard line until late in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Derek Zammit threw for 97 yards, but he was intercepted twice. Junior Nolan James ran for 95 yards.

Next game: Friday vs. Don Bosco (4-4)

9. Don Bosco (4-4)

The Ironmen strung together their third consecutive victory, 35-14, Friday over Paramus Catholic. Junior Deven Sisler threw for 130 yards and two TDs. Senior Aidan Horodnik scored the first TD on a fumble recovery in the end zone. Senior Conor Cosgrove scored their last TD on a 45-yard kickoff return.

Next game: Friday at DePaul (3-5)

8. St. Augustine (7-2)

The Hermits closed out their regular season with a fifth consecutive win, a 42-10 road rout at Lenape. St. Augustine’s offense kicked into high gear, producing 470 yards, including 386 yards on the ground. Julian Turney handled the bulk of the offensive chores, churning out 173 yards and three touchdowns. Turney went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season and includes 14 rushing TDs.

Next: Nov. 3 vs. TBD

7. Pope John (7-2)

The Lions were idle this week, accepting a forfeit against Hudson Catholic for a fourth win in the last five weeks. With seven wins, Pope John is now one victory shy of matching its combined number of victories for the last three seasons combined.

Next game: Saturday vs. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (6-2)

6. St. Thomas Aquinas (9-0)

The Trojans surpassed 40 points for the fifth time this season in a 48-8 win over Edison. Jack Joyce kicked six extra points and two field goals (23 and 40 yards), while Elijah Abass-Shereef and Chase Young each rushed for more than 100 yards. The Trojans are No. 2 in the latest Non-Public B United Power Rankings.

Next game: Nov. 3 vs. TBD

5. Donovan Catholic (7-1)

Sophomore running back Najee Calhoun ran for a TD and 109 yards on 22 carries as the Griffins defeated Middletown South, 17-13, to set up a showdown for the Shore Conference American Division championship. Senior quarterback Todd Lambertson threw a TD pass to Emanuel Gerena, and Dante Priolo booted a 21-yard field goal in the win.

Next game: vs. Red Bank Catholic (7-1)

4. Delbarton (7-1)

Ryan Trafford scored a pair of rushing touchdowns as the Green Wave shut out DePaul, 28-0 on Saturday. Delbarton rushed 47 times for 256 yards and four rushing touchdowns, led by Brock Dandridge's 111 yards on the ground. The Green Wave clinched the SFC United White regular season title in the victory.

Next game: Saturday vs. St. Joseph (Montvale) (6-2)

Catholic’s Emmanuel Ross runs for long yardage up the middle in second half action. Red Bank Catholic football defeats Toms River North 35-28 in Toms River, NJ on October 20, 2023.
Catholic’s Emmanuel Ross runs for long yardage up the middle in second half action. Red Bank Catholic football defeats Toms River North 35-28 in Toms River, NJ on October 20, 2023.

3. Red Bank Catholic (7-1)

A Frankie Williams' 25-yard TD pass to Emanuel Ross in overtime gave the Caseys a dramatic 35-28 win over Toms River North. Red Bank Catholic tied the game with two seconds left in regulation when Matt Lonczak capped a 13-play, 86-yard drive in 1:40 with a 1-yard run. Williams threw for 317 yards and three TDs. A showdown for the Shore Conference American Division championship is next.

Next game: Friday at Donovan Catholic (7-1)

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

Junior Sal Salafia kicked field goals of 19, 37 and 35 yards on Saturday as the Green Knights rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Seton Hall Prep, 30-21. Senior Terrance Sumter ran for 110 yards, including a 49-yard TD in the fourth for a 24-21 lead. Senior Patrick Grusser threw for 117 yards and ran for a 4-yard score.

Next game: Saturday at Delbarton (7-1)

1. Bergen Catholic (7-1)

The Crusaders’ 37-7 victory Friday at St. Peter’s Prep marked their 13th consecutive win against a New Jersey foe. The Crusaders ran for 238 yards, led senior Kaj Sanders' 108 yards and two TDs. Junior Dominic Campanile threw two TD passes to junior Quincy Porter to help build a 37-0 lead in the third quarter.

Next game: Friday at Paramus Catholic (3-6)

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Holy Spirit (7-1)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football rankings: Statewide Public Top 20 before playoffs begin

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