Football: New Jersey Super 25 rankings after week of big wins

An exciting Week 2 of the high school football season saw Garden State teams dominate New York teams, but brought little change to the New Jersey Super 25 rankings.

North Jersey non-public teams, including five ranked teams that went 5-0, went 9-1 against New York non-public teams last week to maintain their rankings.

The lone newcomer in this week's rankings is Ridgewood, which moves up from "others receiving votes" after beating defending Group 4 state finalist Ramapo.

This week's schedule features five games between ranked teams: Holy Spirit at Camden, Cherokee at Mainland, Millville at Washington Township, Paramus Catholic at St. Joseph, and St. Augustine at Winslow.

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

25. Ridgewood (3-0)

Public ranking: 16

Coming off shutout wins over Clifton and Montclair, the Maroons rallied in the second half for a 29-17 victory at Ramapo on Friday. Senior Colin Burns ran for 164 yards, including three second-half TDs to help erase a 10-0 halftime deficit. Senior lineman Max Caruso sealed the win in the final minute by returning a fumble 27 yards for a score.

Next game: Friday vs. Piscataway (2-1)

24. Somerville (3-0)

Public ranking: 15

The Pioneers beat rebuilding Montgomery, 42-7, as Brenden Pacheco threw for 215 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for another score. Somerville has outscored opponents 74-21 over the last two games.

Next game: Friday vs. Rahway (3-0)

23. Morris Knolls (2-0)

Public ranking: 14

Quarterback Chris Kaiser rushed 10 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Eagles won their home opener, 34-14 win over Bridgewater-Raritan on Saturday. Kaiser also threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Ayden Espeut in the win.

Next game: Friday at Randolph (1-1)

22. Northern Highlands (2-1)

Public ranking: 13

The Highlanders registered their first shutout of the season with Friday’s 28-0 victory at Hackensack. Senior Nate Johnson opened the scoring on a 14-yard run in the second quarter and closed the scoring in the third with a 37-yard pass to senior Charles Goebbert. Senior Matthew Boydell scored on runs of 3 and 12 yards.

Next game: Friday vs. Pascack Valley (3-0)

21. Holy Spirit (2-1)

Non-public ranking: 9

The Spartans posted their second straight shutout with a 41-0 road win over Hammonton. In its last two games, Holy Spirit has outscored the opposition 80-0.

Next game: Friday at Camden (3-0)

20. Mainland (2-1)

Public ranking: 12

The Mustangs saw their state-best 16-game winning streak come to an end with a 40-7 loss at Millville. Mainland was held below 200 yards of total offense, including just 70 yards on the ground. It marked the most points Mainland has allowed since 2021, which also was the last time the team lost two games in a row. Mainland’s last two losses both occurred against Millville.

Next game: Friday vs. Cherokee (2-1)

19. Old Tappan (3-0)

Public ranking: 11

The Golden Knights’ 50-6 victory Thursday over Bergenfield represented their most points in a game since October of 2021. Sophomore TE Shane Small caught three passes for 101 yards, all for TDs. Sophomore Zach Micelli threw three TD passes, and versatile senior Alex Orecchio threw a TD pass and ran for a score.

Next game: Friday at Ramapo (0-2)

18. Cherokee (2-1)

Public ranking: 10

The Chiefs surrendered 21 straight points, including 14 in the first half, and never recovered during a 21-7 home loss to St. Augustine on Friday. Daniel Cruz accounted for Cherokee’s lone score when he returned a blocked punt for a TD in the fourth quarter.

Next game: Friday at Mainland (2-1)

17. Washington Township (3-0)

Public ranking: 9

The Minutemen extended their unbeaten streak to three with a 28-6 victory over defending Group 3 state champion Delsea on Friday. It marks the best start for Township in three years. Quarterback Cole Aquino completed 11 of 15 passes for 123 yards and two scores, and Cole Beeler rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown. Township has scored 23 or more points in all three games while holding opponents to single digits.

Next game: Friday vs. Millville (3-0)

16. Passaic Tech (3-0)

Public ranking: 8

Sophomore Ian McDuffie ran for 109 yards and two TDs and the Bulldogs rushed for more than 250 yards in Friday’s 41-6 win at Paterson Eastside. Junior Gabe Miles scored on runs of 18 and 9 yards for a 14-0 lead for the two-time Group 5 state finalists. Senior Jayden Santiago closed the scoring on a 95-yard kickoff return.

Next game: Friday at Columbia (1-2)

15. Paramus Catholic (2-0)

Non-public ranking: 8

The Paladins are coming off a bye week following a 48-47 victory over St. Peter’s Prep and 49-29 win over Pope John. Senior Xavier Williams has rushed for 516 yards and eight TDs. Senior Crew Colon has thrown for 396 yards and three scores. Sophomore Mekhi Martin has 12 catches for 169 yards and one TD.

Next game: Saturday at St. Joseph (Montvale) (2-1)

14. St. Thomas Aquinas (2-1)

Non-public ranking: 7

After going 1-1 against out of state teams, the Trojans returned to New Jersey competition and topped North Brunswick, 42-6. The balanced effort included Roman Blanks throwing for 167 yards and two scores, Chukwuma Odoh rushing for 145 yards and two scores, and Josiah Zayas catching four passes for 104 receiving yards and two scores.

Next game: Friday vs. Franklin (3-0)

13. Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0)

Public ranking: 7

Junior running back Kellen Murray ran for three TDs as the Bulldogs defeated Marlboro, 35-6. He now has six TDs on the season. Senior quarterback Owen O'Toole threw for 310 yards with TD passes to senior receivers Nick Thomas and Jordan Angstreich.

Next game: Friday at Long Branch (0-3)

12. Camden (3-0)

Public ranking: 6

The Panthers rolled to a 44-3 victory over Shawnee, finishing a three-game road trip to start the season with a perfect record intact. Quarterback Mahki Brunson completed 15 of 28 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns, and Jaiden Steele ripped off a career-high 146 rushing yards and a score. On defense, Talib Shakir picked off a pass for the third straight week.

Next game: Friday vs. Holy Spirit (2-1)

11. St. Augustine (3-0)

Non-public ranking: 6

The Hermits’ defense lived up to its hype during a 21-7 road win at Cherokee on Friday. St. Augustine had two sacks, an interception by Matthew Bonzcek and held Cherokee to just more than 200 yards. The Hermits have surrendered 13 points in three games. Julian Turney paced the offense with 146 rushing yards and Ryan Stoehr threw two touchdown passes.

Next game: Friday at Winslow (3-0)

10. Phillipsburg (2-0)

Public ranking: 5

The Stateliners cruised to a 35-0 win over Hunterdon Central, boosted by four different players scoring touchdowns and the defense forcing seven punts. Jett Genovese tossed two touchdowns, and Phillipsburg has put up 79 points this season.

Next game: Friday at Ridge (1-1)

9. Mount Olive (2-0)

Public ranking: 4

Tyler Cumming rushed 20 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns as the Marauders rolled over Randolph, 49-14, on Friday night. Lincoln Youtz led a strong Mount Olive defense with 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks in the victory.

Next game: Saturday at Chatham (1-1)

8. Winslow (3-0)

Public ranking: 3

The Eagles continue to light up the scoreboard, rolling to a 42-0 win at Williamstown on Friday. Winslow has scored 92 points combined in its last two games and has recorded 116 points for the season. Winslow’s defense posted its second shutout. The offense produced more than 330 yards, including 104 yards and three touchdowns by running back Roman Duckett.

Next game: Friday vs. St. Augustine (3-0)

7. Don Bosco (2-1)

Non-public ranking: 5

The Ironmen rolled to 49-10 home victory over St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) on Friday. Senior Deven Sisler completed 11 of 14 passes for 201 yards and three TDs. Junior Dante DeLuca rushed 11 times for 111 yards and two scores as they registered their most points since October 2022. The Ironmen enter a bye week before their big showdown with No. 1 Bergen Catholic.

Next game: Sept. 28 at Bergen Catholic (2-1)

6. Toms River North (3-0)

Public ranking: 2

Senior quarterback T.J. Valerio threw three touchdown passes and ran for two scores as the Mariners defeated Jackson Memorial, 54-10. Camryn Thomas caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt for a score. Toms River North, which led 48-3 at halftime, has outscored its opposition 140-12/ The Mariners have won 29 straight games against public-school teams dating back to a defeat to Kingsway in the 2021 Central Group 5 championship game.

5. Delbarton (2-1)

Non-public ranking: 4

Senior Brock Dandridge ran for three touchdowns as the Green Wave raced by Monsignor Farrell (N.Y.) in a 28-0 win on Saturday. Delbarton begins the in-state portion of its schedule this week with a trip to St. Peter's Prep.

Next game: Saturday at St. Peter's Prep (2-1)

4. DePaul (3-0)

Non-public ranking: 3

The Spartans scored five TDs in the middle two quarters to pull away to a 36-20 victory over Cardinal Hayes (N.Y.) at Columbia University. Junior Derek Zammit threw for 215 yards, with TD passes to seniors Nolan James and Dez Jones. James rushed for 133 yards and a TD, and Zammit ran for 103 yards and a score.

Next game: Friday vs. Seton Hall Prep (2-1)

3. Millville (3-0)

Public ranking: 1

After trailing for the first time this season, the Thunderbolts rattled off 34 unanswered points and rolled to a 40-7 win over Mainland. Alabama-bound Lotzeir Brooks found the end zone four times, including a highlight-reel catch that was featured on ESPN’s Top Plays on Saturday morning. Brooks finished with 200 yards receiving, the third time he's reached that mark.

Next game: Friday at Washington Township (3-0)

2. St. Joseph (Montvale) (2-1)

Non-public ranking: 2

The Green Knights produced their most lopsided shutout since 2019 with a 43-0 win at Stepinac (N.Y.) on Saturday. Junior Lamar Best threw for 227 yards and three TDs, and ran for 68 yards and a score. Junior Nathan Bailey caught four passes for 68 yards and two TDs. Junior AJ Revella made five tackles, and 24 players made at least one tackle.

Next game: Saturday vs. Paramus Catholic (2-0)

1. Bergen Catholic (2-1)

Non-public ranking: 1

The Crusaders won Saturday at Iona Prep (N.Y.), 31-10, punctuating a weekend in which Super Football Conference non-publics went 9-1 against New York non-publics. Senior Dominic Campanile threw for 246 yards, with TD passes to seniors Quincy Porter and Naiim Parrish and junior Jermaine Kinsler. Junior Dante Kain ran for a score.

Next game: Saturday at Pope John (1-2)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Glassboro (2-0), Pascack Valley (3-0), St. Peter's Prep (2-1), West Morris (2-1)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Football: New Jersey Super 25 rankings after week of big wins