(David Hashagen and Christian Copen also contributed to the creation of the top 20.)
Three weeks into the season and we’ve already seen a ton of ups and downs when it comes to listing the best that the Garden State has to offer. The top three have held steady, but we’ve seen a ton of movement underneath. South Jersey continues to represent in the top 10, while the 11-20 and next seven have seen some major shifts. And with that, let’s kick off this week’s power rankings!
1.) Bergen Catholic (3-0) | Last Week: #1
The Crusaders made a definitive statement this past week, taking down Winslow in a battle of the best private school and the best public school in the state. They won handily by a score of 41-14, nearly matching their scoring output of their two prior games combined. They’ll take on last year’s Non-Public B runners up in Pope John to begin their Super Football Conference play this week.
2.) Don Bosco (3-0) | Last Week: #2
The Ironmen have completed their North American tour, and boy did they impress! Coach Sabella’s squad most recently made quick work of St. Anthony’s out of South Huntington, NY 28-0, extending their out-of-state winning streak to four dating back to last season. They’ll have a week off to recover before renewing their classing rivalry against Bergen Catholic.
3.) St. Joseph (Montvale) (3-0) | Last Week: #3
Speaking of teams on a roll to start the season, the Green Knights crushed their final out-of-state opponents Cardinal Hayes (NY) 48-0. Senior Harvard commit Nathan Bailey put on a show scoring four total touchdowns, including one on the ground, two in the air, and one on a punt return. This is one of the most dynamic teams we’ve seen out of St. Joe’s in quite some time, and it’ll be interesting to see how they fare against the two teams above them in October.
4.) St. Peter’s (3-0) | Last Week: #6
Of the top four, the Marauders are the only ones to have played all their games exclusively in the Garden State, and so far they’ve blown the doors off the competition. This week’s 50-0 walloping of Shabazz knocked the Bulldogs out of our top 20 and showed us that St. Peter’s isn’t messing around. With that win, they’ve now beaten two teams that made it to their respective Group Finals with the other being Union City. Delbarton’s next, in a game that could shake things up even more.
5.) Rancocas Valley (3-0) | Last Week: #7
While we have yet to see a true explosion on offense from the Red Devils, their defense may be even more terrifying than their mascot’s namesake. Michael Beasley and David Ogunsola have been on a rampage, combining for 17 sacks and 27 tackles for a loss in just three games this season. Additionally they’ve limited opponents to just 9.7 points per game. They begin a tough stretch this week on the road against the always challenging Shawnee.
6.) DePaul (2-1) | Last Week: #5
The Spartans dusted themselves off well after last week’s close loss down in Maryland, downing Archbishop Stepinac (NY) 35-0 in Wayne, NJ. Washington commit Derek Zammit continued to show the poise of a quarterback well beyond his years, piloting the offense to 222 passing yards and a score. He also found his way into the end zone on the ground along with Marquan Carter and Sean Nevers. Seton Hall Prep is next, along with a chance to start off 2-0 in United White division play.
7.) Winslow (1-2) | Last Week: #4
There are few teams in the entire nation (if any) that have had as tough of a schedule as the Eagles to start the year. They fought valiantly at home against Bergen Catholic, but ultimately a disastrous second quarter put them too far behind at the half to work a comeback. Still, you’ve got to admire a team that’s willing to play anyone, and Winslow certainly has the talent and coaching to repeat as Group IV champs. They’ll have one more parochial opponent next week at St. Augustine before returning to their public schedule.
8.) Washington Township (3-0) | Last Week: #8
The Minutemen have scorched their first three opponents of 2025, and are making a serious case to crack our top 5 very soon. They’ve scored at least 40 points each game, and haven’t allowed a touchdown (or any score for that matter) since Week 0 against Hillsborough. Millville will be a tough test this Friday, but Washington have every reason to feel comfortable regardless of opponent.
9.) Old Tappan (3-0) | Last Week: #9
The best public program in North Jersey are well on there way to another deep playoff run. Dating back to last season they’ve now won eight in a row including two wins against West Essex, a revenge win at Pascack Valley, and a home victory against the always competitive River Dell. Bergenfield were their unfortunate prey this time around, with Zachary Miceli putting on another show, going nine for ten for 210 yards, and three touchdowns. Their toughest test of the season is next at home against the swiftly rising Ramapo.
10.) Delbarton (1-2) | Last Week: #10
The Green Wave picked a great opponent to knock down for their first win of the season, dazzling in their home opener against Monsignor Farrell, one of the top teams in New York. The issues that plagued them on both sides of the ball in their first two games vanished, scoring five touchdowns and holding the Lions to six points thanks to three sacks, six tackles for a loss, and a pair of forced fumbles. They’ve got a real chance to put the state on notice at home against the mighty St. Peter’s Prep this Saturday.
11.) St. Augustine (3-0) | Last Week: #11
If there’s a way to stop the Hermit’s rushing attack that’s news to me. Junior running back Roman Coney has torched defenses to the tune of 530 yards and nine touchdowns on just 50 carries. He’s actually gained more yards and scored exactly one more touchdown per game this season despite fewer carries each game. Like Washington Township, the defense has been right there too, pitching back-to-back shutouts. We’ll see if they can keep that going against high-octane Winslow at home this Friday.
12. Red Bank Catholic (3-0) | Last Week: #13
Head coach Michael Lange has got to feel good about his Caseys to start the season. From shutting out Toms River North to start the year, to heading one of the most fearsome defenses in the state (eight sacks, 31 tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles, and six interceptions), RBC is running like a well-oiled machine. They’ll try to complete a Middletown sweep against North under the lights this week.
13.) Glassboro (3-0) | Last Week: #14
Another week, another demolition derby for the Bulldogs. For the second week in a row, they not only shut out their opponent, but scored over 50 points in the process with their 63-0 victory over Penns Grove. Xavier Sabb continued to do Xavier Sabb things, hauling in a pair of touchdowns, while throwing another 71-yarder to Mekhi Parker. That makes it 16 in a row now for Timmy Breaker’s squad, with zero signs of slowing down.
14.) Northern Highlands (3-0) | Last Week: #17
Last season the Highlanders survived (and quite well) while superstars Nate Johnson and Matthew Boydell hit the injured list. This year, they’re thriving despite their dynamic offensive weapons graduating. Through three games, quarterback Jack O’Callaghan looks much improved from twelve months ago, posting a perfect passer rating, while running back Chase Calarco has averaged over 100 scrimmage yards per game. You can watch Northern Highlands take on Pascack Valley right here on Big State Sports this Saturday at 1pm! https://www.youtube.com/live/2sNwgmh-XSU?si=VhOPmMFrj1gqtH88
15.) Ramapo (2-0) | Last Week: #16
Due to some unusual scheduling, the Raiders had a bye for Week 1 prior to taking on division rival Ridgewood this passed Friday. They certainly looked rested, smashing the Maroons 52-7 on the road, thanks to 264 rushing yards and three fumble recoveries. A true test of skill awaits with Old Tappan on the horizon.
16.) Phillipsburg (2-0) | Last Week: #19
The Stateliners continued to show off their brand of blue-collar football during their American Silver division opener. They ran for 374 yards and seven scores against Hunterdon Central, with Ziyahn McGurn and Sam Dech accounting for 260 of those yards and six touchdowns. They’ll look to continue running wild in their home opener this Friday.
17.) Bridgewater-Raritan (3-0) | Last Week: Not Ranked
We’ve always known that the Panthers could score; the question this year was could they stop their opponents from reaching the end zone, and so far so good! DJ Catalano’s squad showed some guts in their 27-21 home win against Morris Knolls, bending but not breaking against their vaunted rushing attack. Through three games, BR are letting up just 22.6 points per game, a monumental leap from their 38.9 allowed per game last season. Check out their clash with Hunterdon Central Friday at 6pm on our channel! https://www.youtube.com/live/7uEnCt3hTsA?si=2NT8dO6fYWYgLKlK
18.) Holmdel (3-0) | Last Week: Not Ranked
The Hornets have raised a lot of eyebrows around the state, and not just because they took care of Rumson-Fair Haven on the road. Quarterback Jack Cannon has gotten off to a ridiculous start to the season, completing 68% of his passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns, while adding another 387 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. We’ll learn even more about this team when they take on Red Bank Catholic and Brick Memorial, but up first are Middletown South this week.
19.) West Orange (2-1) | Last Week: Next 7
The Mountaineers have played all one-score games to start the season, but have found themselves on the right side of things in their last two since an opening 10-7 loss to Shabazz. Division one prospect Sydney Padilla has helped a dangerous defense, picking up three of his teams eight sacks, and eight of their 22 tackles for a loss. They’ll be hoping for some more breathing room for once in their upcoming tilt with Livingston.
20.) Paramus Catholic (1-2) | Last Week: #20
The Paladins are still finding their way after failing to follow-up on their 33-8 victory against Pope John in Week 1. Scoring hasn’t been an issue, with PC scoring just under 36 points per game, but stopping the bleeding as they’ve surrendered 100 points combined in their two losses against St. Peter’s and Iona Prep (NY). Things don’t get any easier with six of their final seven opponents appearing higher on this list. The good news is, all of them are opportunities to show what they’re made of, and it all starts this Friday when they host St. Joseph (Montvale).
Next 7:
West Morris, Shabazz, East Orange, Rumson-Fair Haven, Millville, Burlington Township, Atlantic City
