By Gridiron New Jersey Staff
Posted: Tuesday, November 8, 2016 8:50 am
Please note: this will be the second-to-last edition of the rankings. We will not update the Top 20 during the playoffs. The final edition of the Top 20 will be unveiled after the sectional finals.
NON-PUBLIC TOP 5
1. St. Joseph (Mont.) (7-2, last week #1)
QB Nick Patti rushed for a touchdown and threw for another as Joe’s beat DePaul, 38-21. They'll rest up with a bye before taking on the winner of St. John Vianney and Camden Catholic in second round of the Non-Public, Group 3 playoffs.
2. Paramus Catholic (7-2, last week #2)
Running back Alijah Jackson rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns as PC rolled over Delbarton, 42-7. They host St. Joseph (Met.) in the first round of the Non-Public, Group 4 playoffs.
3. Don Bosco Prep (5-4, last week #3)
The Ironmen got defensive touchdowns from Marcellus Earlington (62 yard fumble return) and Wankeith Akin (23 yard interception return) as they took down St. Peter's Prep, 28-20. They take on Seton Hall Prep in the first round in Non-Public, Group 4 playoffs.
4. St. Peter’s Prep (6-3, last week #4)
Running back Damion Abrams rushed for two touchdowns in a loss to Don Bosco Prep, 28-20. They open up the Non-Public, Group 4 playoffs against Delbarton.
5. Bergen Catholic (6-3, last week #5)
BC’s D had five sacks and three takeaways as the Crusaders beat Seton Hall Prep, 21-7. They take on St. Augustine Prep in the first round of the Non-Public, Group 4 playoffs.
PUBLIC TOP 15
1. Toms River North (9-0, last week #1)
Quarterback Mike Husni ran for two scores as the Mariners downed Central, 34-7. They take on Atlantic City in the first round of the South, Group 5 playoffs.
2. Timber Creek (8-0, last week #2)
Wide receiver Ezrah Archie had six catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns and the Chargers took down Cherry Hill East, 62-0. They host Absegami in their first game of the South, Group 4 tournament.
3. Ridgewood (9-0, last week #3)
Cornerback Wylie Sherman picked off two passes in Ridgewood’s 55-7 victory over Eastside. The Maroons play host to West Orange in round one of North 1, Group 5 play.
4. Westfield (8-0, last week #4)
Quarterback Philip Martini totaled three touchdowns (2 rush, 1 pass) and the Blue Devils defeated Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 46-7. They begin North 2, Group 5 play hosting Bayonne.
5. Wayne Hills (8-1, last week #5)
QB Brandon Devera’s five touchdowns sparked Hills’ 48-27 win over Irvington. They take on Roxbury in the first round of the North 1, Group 4 playoffs.
6. Manalapan (9-0, last week #6)
The Braves D limited Freehold Township to 43 offensive yards and tacked on five sacks as it triumphed, 35-0. They’ll host New Brunswick in their Central, Group 5 opener.
7. West Deptford (8-0, last week #7)
Running back Anthony Seas rushed for 172 yards and a score to help his team defeat Collingswood, 28-14. Delran will be the first team to visit the Eagles in the South, Group 2 playoffs.
8. Bridgewater-Raritan (9-0, last week #8)
Running back David Usewick rushed for 103 yards and a score in the Panthers’ 28-21 victory over Elizabeth. They play host to Columbia this week in the first round of North 2, Group 5 action.
9. Lenape (8-0, last week #9)
Running back JoJo Kellum rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns as Lenape defeated Notre Dame, 42-7. They host Woodrow Wilson in their quarterfinal matchup in South, Group 4.
10. Middletown South (6-2, last week #10)
Linebacker Kevin Higgins snagged a pick-six and helped Eagles snap a 2-game slide with a 22-3 win over Wall. They host JFK (Iselin) in the first round of the North 2, Group 4 bracket.
11. Rancocas Valley (7-1, last week #11)
RV was idle after winning their past three games. They host Southern in their South, Group 5 opener.
12. Shawnee (7-1, last week #13)
Receiver Shawn Levondosky caught three balls for 110 yards and two touchdowns as the Renegades beat Hammonton, 28-14. They welcome Clearview to town in their first round matchup in the South, Group 4 playoffs.
13. Piscataway (6-2, last week #14)
Running back Elijah Barnwell scored three times and rushed for 133 yards in a 52-13 win over Edison. They draw Hunterdon Central in the first round of the Central, Group 5 tourney.
14. Somerville (9-0, last week #15)
Quarterback Nick Couzzi threw for 211 yards and two scores and rushed for a third as rolled past Summit, 42-7. They play host to Rahway in their Central, Group 3 opener.
15. Rumson-Fair Haven (6-2, last week unranked)
QB Michael O’Connor rushed for three touchdowns and rushed for a fourth as the Bulldogs beat Carteret, 35-6. They kick off the Central, Group 3 playoffs hosting Cranford.
Others Getting Consideration: Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Irvington, Madison, Sayreville, South Brunswick, Union City, Wayne Valley