NJ football rankings: New Jersey Super 25 entering the 2024 season

With the high school football season getting started later this week for many of New Jersey's top teams, it's time to unveil the first New Jersey Super 25 rankings of the 2024 season.

Every week, voters from across USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey will rank the Top 25 teams in the state. The rankings will be posted every Tuesday morning.

Four state championship teams from a year ago begin the season ranked in the Super 25.

25. Hillsborough

Public ranking: 15

The Raiders went 8-3 last season and reached the South Group 5 sectional semifinals on the strength of their defense. They won on the strength of their defense, which held opponents to 11.5 points per game and should once again be strong. Senior running back Jackson Jankowicz (1,000 rushing yards) keys an improved offense bolstered by the return of five starting linemen.

First game: Thursday at Somerville

24. Glassboro

Public ranking: 14

The Bulldogs defense was downright stingy last season, yielding just 8.6 points per game en route to a sectional title and a spot in the Group 1 state final. The team returns seven starters on defense, including junior tackle Brandon Simmons, sophomore safety Xavier Sabb and junior corner Amari Sabb. An explosive offense got even more lethal with the addition of senior running back Kenny Smith, a transfer from Hammonton who rushed for more than 3,500 yards in his first three seasons.

First game: Thursday vs. St. Frances Regional (Md.)

23. Cherokee

Public ranking: 13

The South Group 5 sectional champion last season, Cherokee will have plenty of new faces in its lineup but has the talent to make another deep postseason run. Senior Murad Campfield rushed for over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Paving the way will be a talented and experienced front line which includes seniors Dylan Grau, Chris Therien and Cole Shanze.

First game: Friday vs. Middletown South

22. Ramapo

Public ranking: 12

The Green Raiders, last year’s Group 4 state runner-up, are North Jersey’s most talked-about public school. They have a new coach in alum Nick Guttuso and their fast-paced, high-scoring spread attack has a four-way competition at QB. Senior Charlie Wingfield is a three-sport standout who contributes at tight end (33 catches, 393 yards, 7 TDs), linebacker and kicker. Five starters return to a defense that posted four shutouts.

First game: Sept. 6 at Somers (N.Y.)

21. Roxbury

Public ranking: 11

Setting a school record with 11 straight wins to start last season, the Gaels fell to Mount Olive in the final minute of the North 2, Group 4 sectional final. Senior Connor May steps in at quarterback for an offense that amassed more than 3,000 total yards from scrimmage in 2023.

First game: Friday vs. Parsippany Hills

20. Passaic Tech

Public ranking: 10

The Bulldogs are the two-time Group 5 state runners-up and expect to continue their success despite significant graduation losses. North Jersey’s largest public-school program has more than 40 seniors. The ground-heavy attack could hand the ball to several running backs, and there’s a QB competition that includes promising sophomore Ian McDuffie. Defense carried last year’s team to five shutouts, and an almost entirely new cast will try to step up and continue that success.

First game: Friday vs. Lenape

19. Mainland

Public ranking: 9

The Mustangs scored a whopping 603 points last season on their way to a 14-0 record and Group 4 state title. They return 11 starters from that squad (five on offense and six on defense), including junior John Franchini, a three-year starter at quarterback. Senior Rocco DeBiaso will see an increased workload this season after rushing for 637 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and he'll anchor the defense from his inside linebacker spot.

First game: Thursday vs. Atlantic City

18. Rumson-Fair Haven

Public ranking: 8

The two-time Group 2 state runners-up lost some significant players, including two-way lineman Jack Harris, who transferred to Bergen Catholic. But senior quarterback Owen O’Toole, a three-year starter, returns, as do senior receivers Nick Thomas and Jordan Angstreich, senior lineman Matt Smith and junior running back Kellen Murray.

First game: Sept. 6 vs. Point Pleasant Boro

17. Camden

Public ranking: 7

The defending Central Group 3 sectional champions lost some key pieces to graduation but will look to remain in position for another title run. The offense boasts plenty of talent beginning with senior quarterback Mahki Brunson, who threw for more than 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’ll have plenty of options to throw to with seniors D’Hani Cobbs and Malik Redd, a pair of three-year starters. Camden has won 10 games in each of Rob Hinson’s two years at the helm, a third double-digit victory campaign should be well within the Panthers’ grasp.

First game: Friday at St. Christopher's (Va.)

16. Pope John

Non-public ranking: 10

The Lions picked up wins against Seton Hall Prep and DePaul last season on the way to qualifying for the Non-Public A state playoffs. Running back Tylik Hill rushed for 1,006 yards as a junior, and Wake Forest-commit Tyler Houser made 121 tackles for a stiff Pope John defense.

First game: Friday at DePaul

Watch HS football live on the NFHS Network

15. St. Thomas Aquinas

Non-public ranking: 9

The Trojans return a balanced nucleus from a 10-1 team that reached the Non-Public B state semifinals, losing to DePaul, 13-10. The Edison school, which has two undefeated regular seasons in the past three years, brings back quarterback Roman Blanks (1,253 passing yards, 14 TDs, 1 INT), running back Chase Young (1,038 yards, 16 TDs in a timeshare) and big linemen Elijah Thomas and Caden Sternlieb.

First game: Aug. 31 vs. Mount St. Joseph (Md), in Wilmington, Del.

14. St. Augustine

Non-public ranking: 8

The Hermits earned a playoff win for the fourth straight season last fall, but were eliminated in the quarterfinal round with a one-point loss to Donovan Catholic. Pete Lancetta’s squad returns 12 starters, six on each side of the ball. St. Augustine, which averaged 24 points per game last fall, returns one of South Jersey’s top running backs in three-year starter Julian Turney and he will run behind an offensive line that has plenty of experience, including three-year starter Joe Tenaglia.

First game: Friday vs. Donovan Catholic

13. Northern Highlands

Public ranking: 6

The Highlanders enter the season as Bergen County’s top public school, one season after reaching the North 1, Group 4 sectional final. They return three-year senior starting QB and dual threat Nate Johnson (2,054 passing yards, 25 TDs, 748 yards rushing, 11 TDs), along with senior RB Matt Boydell (448 yards rushing, 4 TDs) and senior receiver Shane Hanlon (34 catches, 541 yards, 6 TDs). The 2022 Group 4 state runner-up is seeking a third sectional title in four years.

First game: Friday at Washington Township

12. Red Bank Catholic

Non-public ranking: 7

The defending Non Public B state champion Caseys sustained significant graduation losses. Among those who graduated are star receiver Emanuel Ross and linebacker Davin Brewton. But senior quarterback Frankie Williams, a three-year starter, returns, as does sophomore defensive linemen and Division I recruit Lorenzo Tartamella, and senior linebacker/running back Jamie Gutridge. Red Bank Catholic will host Don Bosco and Paramus Catholic this season.

First game: Thursday at Middletown (Del.)

11. Phillipsburg

Public ranking: 5

While the Stateliners graduated some defensive stalwarts, they bring back exciting skill position players from a team that went 10-2 and reached the North 2, Group 5 sectional final for the second straight season. Phillipsburg, which fell to Union City, 24-17, in the title game, is led by three-year starting quarterback Jett Genovese (1,351 passing yards, 14 TDs/4 INTs) and reciever Matt Scerbo Jr. (45 catches for 717 yards)

First game: Sept. 6 vs. Westfield

10. Mount Olive

Public ranking: 4

The Marauders bounced back from a one-win season in 2022 to win the North 2, Group 4 sectional crown last year. That marked the program's first sectional championship since 2002. Running back Tyler Cumming rushed for 1,467 yards as a junior and returns to the Mount Olive offense alongside senior quarterback Jake Asbury.

First game: Sept. 6 at Roxbury

9. Winslow

Public ranking: 3

The Eagles soared to one of their best seasons in program history last year, winning the Central Group 4 sectional title before falling to eventual state champion Mainland in the state semifinals. Winslow’s offense has the ability to light up the scoreboard this season. The Eagles, who averaged over 32 points per game last season, bring back Wisconsin-bound receiver Cam Miller (57 catches, 1,334 receiving yards and 15 TDs). Jalen Parker was one of the region’s top freshmen last fall, throwing for over 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns in six games before a season-ending elbow injury.

First game: Friday vs. Montclair

8. Don Bosco

Non-public ranking: 6

The Ironmen fully expect to bounce back from a rare losing season. The offense should be improved, starting with senior QB Deven Sisler (1,378 passing yards, 8 TDs). Promising sophomore QB Dylan Wrona may also see action. Two returning juniors are expected to share carries at running back: Dante DeLuca (347 yards rushing, 3 TDs) and Colin Brennan (121 yards, 3 TDs). The defense includes senior DB and Rutgers commit Renick Dorilas, a transfer from Union.

First game: Friday at Archbishop Hoban (Ohio)

7. Toms River North

Public ranking: 2

The two-time defending Group 5 state champions graduated standout quarterback/defensive back Micah Ford and plenty of other key players, but the cupboard is hardly bare. Senior T.J. Valerio, who saw significant action when Ford missed time with an injury, takes over at quarterback. Senior Mordecai Ford, Micah's younger brother, takes over at running back. Offensive tackle and Rutgers recruit Ja’elyne Matthews and senior linebacker/defensive end Blaise Boland are among the top returning starters.

First game: Friday at Downingtown East (Pa.)

6. Holy Spirit

Non-public ranking: 5

After back-to-back 9-2 seasons, are the Spartans be ready to take the next step? The team, led by head coach Andrew DiPasquale, certainly has the talent. Holy Spirit returns 16 starters, eight on each side of the ball. Junior quarterback Ty Costabile threw for over 1,600 yards with 21 touchdowns last season, the offensive line has experience with three-year starters Jackson Broschard and Nick Medina at the guard positions. Spirit’s defense includes a pair of three-year starters at linebacker with Nick Medina and Tommy Innocente.

First game: Friday vs. Millville

5. DePaul

Non-public ranking: 4

The Spartans, the 2022 Non-Public B state champs and last year’s runner-up, are stacked at the skill positions. Senior RB and Boston College commit Nolan James (1,422 yards rushing, 8 TDs) is a dual threat, and junior three-year starting QB Derek Zammit (1,757 yards passing, 15 TDs) has plenty of targets, including senior receiver and Ohio State commit Dez Jones (56 catches, 898 yards, 6 TDs) and senior receiver and Notre Dame commit Elijah Burress (29 catches, 439 yards, 5 TDs).

First game: Friday vs. Pope John

Watch HS football live on the NFHS Network

4. Delbarton

Non-public ranking: 3

The Green Wave reached the Non-Public A state final last season, the program's first state title game since 2014. Phillip Fomlar amassed nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage as a junior, while Kyle Checchio and the Delbarton defense allowed just 12 points per game.

First game: Saturday vs. Iona Prep (N.Y.)

3. Millville

Public ranking: 1

After posting 34 victories over the previous three seasons, the Thunderbolts are poised to fly high again this fall. The team returns 14 starters, seven on each side of the ball, from last year's 10-2 squad. Millville’s offense centers around one of the Garden State’s most electrifying players in Alabama-bound senior Lotzeir Brooks, who already owns South Jersey records for career receiving yards (3,355) and career touchdowns (55) and tied the mark for single-season TD receptions with 22. The question mark at quarterback appears to have been answered with sophomore Robert O’Connor, a transfer from Paul VI.

First game: Friday vs. Holy Spirit

2. St. Joseph (Montvale)

Non-public ranking: 2

Coach Augie Hoffmann returns for a second stint leading his alma mater. The Bergen County school is loaded at the skill positions, featuring senior RB and Rutgers commit John Forster (311 yards rushing, 5 TDs), senior receiver Jovon Williams (43 catches, 596 yards, 2 TDs) and junior receiver Nate Bailey (38 catches, 581 yards, 4 TDs). The Green Knights have a three-way QB competition that includes junior standout Lamar Best, a transfer from Willingboro. The defense features senior DB and Penn State commit Jahmir Joseph.

First game: Friday vs. St. Frances Academy (Md.)

1. Bergen Catholic

Non-public ranking: 1

The Crusaders are the three-time defending Non-Public A state champs and are chasing a program-record fourth straight title. They return senior QB and Holy Cross commit Dominic Campanile (2,028 yards, 30 TDs) and All-New Jersey senior receiver and Ohio State commit Quincy Porter (53 catches, 1,107 yards, 19 TDs). Senior Naiim Parrish, a Minnesota commit, is among the veterans on defense. Among the impact transfers are junior RB Najee Calhoun from Donovan Catholic and junior lineman Jack Harris from Rumson-Fair Haven.

First game: Thursday vs. IMG Academy (Fla.), at Ocean City

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Mountain Lakes, Old Tappan, Union City.

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football rankings: New Jersey Super 25 entering the 2024 season