By Gridiron New Jersey Staff
Posted: Monday, October 24, 2011 10:55 pm
Gridiron New Jersey Top 20
1. Don Bosco Prep (6-0, last week #1)
The Ironmen didn’t have much trouble beating perhaps the best public school team on their schedule in Passaic County Tech, 63-15. They host Paramus Catholic Friday at Granatell Stadium.
2. Bergen Catholic (5-2, last week #2)
BC got a virtual bye week, having absolutely no hiccups in their 54-0 blasting of Eastside. Things figure to get a bit tougher when they head to Jersey City to take on St. Peter’s Prep on Friday.
3. Montclair (6-0, last week #3)
Quarterback Khalif Herbin surpassed the legendary Aubrey Lewis on Montclair’s career touchdown list in the Mounties’ 35-7 win over East Orange Campus. They go on the road for the first time in over a month to take on Columbia Saturday afternoon.
4. St. Joseph (Mont.) (5-1, last week #4)
The Green Knights have had a week to get over a rather decisive 30-17 loss to Bergen Catholic. They return to the field Saturday for a big matchup with 13th-ranked Pascack Valley.
5. St. Joseph (Hamm.) (6-0, last week #5)
The Wildcats scored 44 points in the first quarter en route to a 58-2 victory over Pleasantville. They’ll face a quality Bridgeton squad on the road Saturday.
6. Wayne Hills (7-0, last week #6)
Quarterback Kevin Olsen threw for four touchdowns in a 49-0 romp over Bergen Tech. The Patriots play host to longtime rival Ramapo on Friday night.
7. South Brunswick (6-0, last week #8)
Running back Darrell Harper rushed for a score and returned a punt 60 yards to the house in a 45-14 win over Old Bridge. The Vikings travel to Edison this week to take on J.P. Stevens.
8. Delbarton (7-0, last week #9)
Quarterback John Schaffer threw for three touchdowns in a 35-0 victory over Mendham. They’ll look to hit the cutoff at 8-0 when they head to Randolph to meet the Rams Friday night.
9. Immaculata (7-0, last week #10)
Immaculata was a bit slow in the first half but still beat up on Plainfield, 35-0. The Spartans host Elizabeth Friday night in Somerville.
10. Red Bank Catholic (6-0, last week #12)
Defensive back James Taylor returned a pick for a touchdown and rushed for a score on offense to lead RBC past Monmouth, 47-6. The Caseys will look to continue their undefeated season when they head to Oakhurst to take on Ocean Township.
11. Haddonfield (6-0, last week #13)
The Bulldawgs got their fourth shutout of the year in a 35-0 win over Colonial Conference rival Paulsboro. They battle Overbook Friday night.
12. East Orange Campus (6-1, last week #7)
The Jaguars offense was completely shut down by a stiff Montclair “D” in the 35-7 blowout victory by the Mounties. They’ll look to get back on track against a Pope John team that is going through some struggles of its own on Nov. 5.
13. Pascack Valley (7-0, last week #14)
Quarterback Kyle Schneider threw two scores in a 35-14 win over Indian Hills. It gets a bit tougher for the Indians when the head to Montvale Saturday to take on 4th-ranked St. Joseph (Mont.).
14. Hunterdon Central (6-1, last week #15)
HC’s defense pitched its third shutout of the year, beating Phillipsburg, 31-0. They travel to meet a Franklin squad that has won five in a row on Saturday.
15. Williamstown (6-0), last week #16)
The Braves defense was stout, forcing three first half turnovers in a 21-2 win over Kingsway. They’ll head to Medford to take on Shawnee in an important South, Group 4 battle on Friday night.
16. Sayreville (6-1, last week #17)
The Bombers won their fifth straight game, beating East Brunswick 47-13. They’ll close out their pre-cutoff schedule in Old Bridge, where they’ll take on the Knights Friday.
17. St. Peter’s Prep (5-2, last week #18)
Running back Jared Crayton caught three touchdown passes and rushed for a score in the Marauders’ 68-8 shellacking of Memorial. They’ll host Bergen Catholic Friday at Caven Point.
18. Timber Creek (6-0, last week #19)
Running back Khalil Pierce’s second touchdown of the day with 1:02 to play allowed the Chargers to beat Eastern, 13-7. Timber Creek looks to make it seven straight wins this weekend when they play host to Seneca.
19. Southern (6-1, last week #20)
Running back T.J. Bellissimo scored three times to lead Southern to a 21-18 comeback victory over Toms River East that clinched the Shore Conference Class A South title. The Rams hook up with Freehold Township this weekend in their quest for the top seed in the South, Group 4 playoff chase.
20. Hammonton (6-0, last week unranked)
Hammonton cracks the Top 20 after a 37-14 beating of previously ranked Holy Spirit. The Blue Devils travel to Atlantic City to take on the Vikings Friday night.
Dropped out: Holy Spirit
Others getting consideration (in alphabetical order): Camden Catholic, Carteret, Elizabeth, Franklin, Neptune, Piscataway, Rumson-Fair Haven, Sparta, Union, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, Westfield, Woodbridge