Gridiron New Jersey/Vita Athletics Top 20
By Gridiron New Jersey Staff
Posted: Thursday, November 2, 2017 7:00 pm
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.
1. Bergen Catholic (7-2, last week #1)
Quarterback Johnny Langan threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to receiver Anthony D'Addetta with 48 seconds on the clock to beat Don Bosco Prep, 29-26. They go on the road this weekend to take on Seton Hall Prep in their final game before the postseason.
2. St. Peter’s Prep (6-2, last week #2)
Anthony Summey rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns as St. Peter’s Prep defeated Lincoln, 44-20. The Marauders take on Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey on Friday.
3. St. Joseph (Mont.) (5-3, last week #3)
Nick Patti threw two touchdowns in the Green Knights' 24-10 victory over Paramus Catholic. They host 4th ranked DePaul Saturday in a potential Non-Public, Group 3 finals preview.
4. DePaul (6-2, last week #4)
Vin DePalma ran for two scores in the Spartans' dominating 35-0 win over #5 Pope John. They head to Montvale to try and topple 3rd ranked St Joseph (Mont.) on Saturday.
5. Pope John (5-3, last week #5)
Niko Hroncich was sacked four times in the first half as the Lions were overwhelmed by #4 DePaul. They will be off this week before trying to regroup in the Non-Public, Group 3 playoffs.
Others getting consideration (in alphabetical order): Don Bosco Prep, Holy Spirit, Paramus Catholic, St. John Vianney, St. Joseph (Hamm.)
PUBLIC TOP 15
1. Millville (7-0, last week #1)
Clayton Scott rushed for three touchdowns and caught a two-point conversion as the Bolts pounded Cumberland, 42-6. They wrap up their pre-playoff slate at home against Atlantic City on Friday.
2. Timber Creek (7-0, last week #2)
Devin Leary became New Jersey’s all-time passing leader (8,773 yards) as the Chargers rolled past Williamstown, 35-10. They play at Cherry Hill East on Saturday afternoon.
3. Manalapan (8-0, last week #3)
Wide receiver Symir Blacknall totaled 114 receiving yards and caught a touchdown as the Braves throttled 10th ranked Piscataway, 28-0. They travel to meet Freehold Township on Friday night before the opening round of the state playoffs begins.
4. Montclair (7-0, last week #4)
Daniel Webb went for 342 rushing yards and four touchdowns to spearhead an impressive 63-44 victory over Seton Hall Prep. They host Columbia on Saturday in their last game before the North 1, Group 5 playoffs, where they've already secured the top seed.
5. Vineland (7-0, last week #5)
Quarterback Isaih Pacheco ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns as the Fighting Clan beat Mainland, 58-0. They get set for the playoffs with a big matchup on Friday against St. Augustine Prep.
6. Old Tappan (8-0, last week #6)
Cornerback Sal DeBenedetto had a 37-yard pick six, ran back a 63-yard punt return, and took a kickoff 82 yards to the house as they steamrolled Indian Hills, 53-7. The Golden Knights face a very solid Ramapo team on the road before kicking off North 1, Group 4 playoff action.
7. Lenape (6-1, last week #8)
Running back Jojo Kellum’s 217 total offensive yards and two touchdowns pushed the Indians to a 21-14 victory over Cherokee. They take on Notre Dame at home on Friday night.
8. Phillipsburg (7-0, last week #13)
Abdul Salahuddin rushed for 85 yards in relief of the injured Joe Green, and P'Burg beat previously undefeated North Hunterdon, 20-7. The Stateliners get a final shot at additional power points in Somerville on Friday against Immaculata.
9. Rancocas Valley (7-1, last week #7)
The Red Devils blew a 17-point lead and fell to 14th ranked Camden, 30-24. They’ll use a bye week to prepare for a loaded field in the South, Group 5 tourney.
10. Piscataway (5-2, last week #10)
The Chiefs rushed for just 116 yards in their 28-0 loss to #3 Manalapan. They play at Edison in one final tune-up for the North 2, Group 5 tourney.
11. South Brunswick (6-1, last week #11)
Quarterback Felix Quinones rushed for 80 yards and ran for three scores in leading South Brunswick to a 35-14 win over Brick Memorial. They host Monroe on Friday night.
12. Westfield (7-0, last week #12)
The Blue Devils’ win over Immaculata prior to last week’s bye extended its state-best win streak to 32 games. They play host to winless Scotch Plains-Fanwood on Saturday.
13. Howell (7-1, last week #14)
QB Eddie Morales had three total TDs (2 rush, 1 pass) in Howell’s 42-20 victory over New Brunswick. They host Marlboro on Friday before kicking off the South, Group 5 playoffs.
14. Camden (6-1), last week unranked)
Najyere Edwards carried the ball 16 times for 165 yards and a touchdown to lead Camden to victory over 9th-ranked Rancocas Valley, 30-24. They play their final game before the South, Group 2 tournament at Winslow Township on Friday.
15. Delsea (5-3, last week unranked)
Aidan Borguet’s 205 rushing yards and five touchdowns led Delsea past Woodrow Wilson, 43-12. They’ll look to make it five straight wins at Clearview on Friday.
Others getting consideration (in alphabetical order): Brick Memorial, Cherokee, Old Bridge, Ramapo, River Dell, Wayne Hills, Westwood
