By Tom Szieber
Posted: Wednesday, September 19, 2018 3:40 pm
NON-PUBLIC TOP 5
1. St. Peter’s Prep (2-1, last week #3): Quarterback Maasai Maynor tossed four touchdown passes in a huge 34-7 win over Bergen Catholic. The Marauders go on the road to take on Union City, the #13 team in the public school rankings, on Friday night.
2. St. Joseph (Mont.) (2-1, last week #4): Joe’s running back Audric Estime rushed for 111 yards as the Green Knights beat DePaul, 24-17. They look to keep it going when they play host to Pope John on Saturday afternoon.
3. Bergen Catholic (2-1, last week #1): QB Andrew Boel’s 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aeneas Dicosmo was Bergen’s only score in its loss to St. Peter’s Prep. The Crusaders have to regroup quickly, with archrival Don Bosco Prep coming to town on Saturday.
4. DePaul (2-1, last week #2): The Spartans dropped a tough one to St. Joseph (Mont.), the same team it beat in a 7-3 squeaker in last season’s Non-Public, Group 3 final. They look to avoid their first two-game skid since 2016 when they host Delbarton Friday.
5. Red Bank Catholic (3-0): RBC cruised to a 45-7 win over Toms River South behind QB Steve Lubischer, who passed for 156 yards and four first quarter touchdowns. They play at Red Bank Friday.
Others Getting Consideration (in alphabetical order): Don Bosco Prep, Mater Dei Prep, Paramus Catholic, St. Joseph (Hamm.)
PUBLIC TOP 15
1. Williamstown (3-0, last week #1): Junior RB/LB Julian Gravener rushed for two scores and picked off a pass on defense as Williamstown beat Millville, 35-6. They head to Medford next week to battle Lenape.
2. Piscataway (2-0; last week #2): Senior QB Joseph Hatcher threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a third as Piscataway beat 12th ranked South Brunswick, 35-21. They welcome J.P. Stevens to town on Friday night.
3. Somerville (3-0; last week #3): Senior QB Jalahn Dabney’s two touchdown passes and one rushing score led Somerville past North Plainfield, 50-0. They host Voorhees Friday night.
4. Ramapo (3-0; last week #4): Quarterback A.J. Wingfield threw four touchdowns as the Raiders overwhelmed Northern Highlands, 28-9. They head to Norwood Friday to meet an 11th ranked Old Tappan squad looking to rebound.
5. Phillipsburg (3-0; last week #5): Senior running back Joe Green ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Stateliners to a 28-14 victory over Hunterdon Central. They play host to Union Friday.
6. Woodrow Wilson (3-0, last week #6): Quarterback Nick Kargman had another big day, passing for 318 yards and four touchdowns in Woodrow Wilson’s 36-13 win over Frankford (PA). They’ll be in Egg Harbor City Saturday to face Cedar Creek.
7. Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0; last week unranked): Running back Alex Maldjian rushed for four touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated Middletown North, 42-7. Next up is a Friday road trip to Brick Memorial to take on the Mustangs.
8. Wayne Hills (2-1; last week unranked): Quarterback Tom Sharkey found wide receiver Charles Njoku on four touchdown passes as Hills downed #11 Old Tappan, 35-16. They go on the road to face off with Fair Lawn Friday night.
9. Sayreville (2-0): Wide out Connor Holmes had five receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown in the Bombers’ 21-19 victory over Woodbridge. They host New Brunswick Friday.
10. River Dell (3-0, last week #11): Quarterback/running back Dave Fletcher rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns to lead River Dell to a 35-7 blowout of Demarest. They head to New York for a matchup with Newburgh Free Academy Friday night.
11. Old Tappan (2-1, last week #7): Quarterback Drew Dippolito threw two touchdowns and two interceptions in Old Tappan’s loss to 8th ranked Wayne Hills. The Golden Knights will look to rebound Friday in a big home matchup with #4 Ramapo.
12. South Brunswick (2-1, last week #12): Running back Thomas Joe-Kamara’s 45-yard score was a highlight in the Vikings’ loss to #2 Piscataway. They’ll try and bounce back Friday at Perth Amboy.
13. Union City (3-0, last week #13): Running back Jean Alvarez rushed 7 times for 124 yards and three touchdowns as the Soaring Eagles demolished Memorial, 49-0. They host St. Peter’s Prep, the top-ranked non-public team in the rankings, on Friday.
14. Brick Township (1-1, last week #8): The Green Dragons had trouble surrendered two touchdown passes to St. John Vianney QB Joshua East in a 21-7 loss. They try and right the ship when they host Freehold Boro Friday.
15. Timber Creek (1-1, last week #15): Timber Creek was off last week after beating Hammonton for their first victory of the season. They’re on the road against Vineland Friday night.
Others Getting Consideration (in alphabetical order): Delsea, Elizabeth, Haddonfield, Linden, Long Branch, Union, West Deptford
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.