New Jersey

New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into sectional finals | Football

Published

4 months ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into sectional finals | Football

Only 56 high school football teams are still alive in New Jersey.

As we head into the public sectional finals and non-public state quarterfinals, one new team rejoined the New Jersey Super 25 rankings.

Shabazz returns for the first time since early September after winning its seventh straight game and returning to a sectional final.

This week features four games between ranked teams: No. 23 Millville at No. 4 Winslow in South Group 4, No. 19 Kingsway at No. 12 Atlantic City in South Group 5, No. 13 Northern Highlands at No. 10 Ramapo in North Group 4, and No. 16 St. Joseph (Metuchen) at No. 3 Bergen Catholic in Non-Public A.

Every week, voters from across USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey rank the top teams in the state. The rankings are posted every Tuesday morning.

25. Shabazz (9-1)

Karriem Coston threw four touchdown passes as the Bulldogs shut out Rutherford, 47-0, in the North 2, Group 2 sectional semifinals. Coston also ran for a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter to build a 34-0 halftime lead. Shabazz has not allowed more than 21 points in any of their victories in 2025.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Madison (7-3)

24. Mount Olive (8-2)

Quarterback Frank Gallo’s 1-yard touchdown prevented a shutout in a 20-7 loss to Northern Highlands in the North 1, Group 4 sectional semifinals on Nov. 7. The 20 points allowed by the Marauders were the most surrendered in a month. Mount Olive has now reached the sectional semifinals in four of the last five seasons.

Next game: Season complete

23. Millville (6-4)

The Thunderbolts checked into their fifth consecutive sectional final with a 42-0 rout of Northern Burlington in the South Group 4 semifinals. Robert O’Connor fired four touchdown passes and has 13 TD throws in his last four games. Millville has won five straight games and has outscored its opponents 91-7 in two postseason contests.

Next game: Nov. 15 at Winslow (11-0)

22. Holmdel (8-2)

Senior quarterback Jack Cannon continued his sensational season as he accounted for a school single-game record nine TDs as the Hornets set a school-record for points in a game in a 65-42 win over Neptune in a Central Group 3 semifinal. Holmdel advanced to a sectional final for the first time since 1991 and just the second time in its history. Cannon compiled 431 yards of total offense.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Seneca (9-2)

21. Brick Memorial (9-2)

Senior running back Nazeer Whittaker ran for a career-high 237 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Mustangs beat Steinert, 40-7, in a Central Group 4 semifinal. Senior quarterback Jason Lajara ran for three touchdowns as Brick Memorial advanced to a sectional championship game for the second straight season. The Mustangs have won six straight.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Middletown North (5-4)

20. Donovan Catholic (8-3)

Junior running back Ethan Nicolas ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns as the Griffins’ ran their winning streak to seven with a 49-21 win over Notre Dame in the Non-Public B first round. Junior quarterback Kahden Davis completed 11 of 21 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Holy Spirit (6-3)

19. Kingsway (9-2)

The Dragons went on the road and returned to Woolwich Township with a 28-7 upset win over Southern in the South Group 5 semifinals. Cole DeNick rushed for a pair of touchdowns, quarterback David Oravetz ran for a score and Mason Bryan recorded a pick-six to power Kingsway. The Dragons are chasing the program’s third sectional title and will try to match the 2001 and 2021 squads.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Atlantic City (9-1)

18. Phillipsburg (9-1)

The Stateliners reached their fourth consecutive sectional final with a 35-7 win over Colonia in North 2, Group 4. The defending champs opened a 21-7 lead at halftime on three short Tyler Wargo runs. Sam Dech sealed the win via two scoring scampers in the second half and finished with 217 rushing yards on 23 carries.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Montgomery (8-3)

17. Camden (8-2)

The Panthers checked into the Central Group 2 championship with a 46-6 victory over Manasquan. Senior quarterback Ahmad Jones continued his torrid streak with 304 passing yards and five touchdowns. Jones has thrown for 900 yards and 14 touchdowns with no picks in his last three games. Camden has won four games in a row, outscoring opponents 159-20 over the span, including 99-6 in two postseason tilts.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Wall (8-2)

16. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (8-1)

The Falcons look to bounce back in the Non-Public A quarterfinals after suffering their first loss of the season on Oct. 31 against Donovan Catholic. St. Joseph, which didn’t play last week, won its first eight games by outscoring opponents by an average of 30-9 per contest. Justin Scaramuzzo has thrown for 1,045 yards and has a team-high 561 rushing yards.

Next game: Nov. 15 at Bergen Catholic (7-2)

15. Red Bank Catholic (10-1)

Freshman running back Gabe Kemp ran for 77 yards and freshman quarterback Rahmir Rivera threw two touchdown passes as the Caseys defeated Hudson Catholic, 41-0, in the Non-Public B first round. Sophomore Jason Berecsky returned an interception 49 yards for a TD, and sophomore Asher Cummins recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. It was Red Bank Catholic’s second straight 41-0 win.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Paul VI (5-4)

14. Paramus Catholic (4-6)

The Paladins, who are seeded No. 2 in Non-Public B and had a first-round bye in the 14-team bracket, last won a state title in 2016. Senior Marco Green, slowed by injury, and sophomore Rowan Martin have combined for 2,197 yards passing and 17 TDs. Senior Achylles DuPont leads a balanced run game with 533 yards and seven scores.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Immaculata (9-2)

13. Northern Highlands (8-2)

The Highlanders nearly posted a shutout in a 20-7 victory over then-No. 14 Mount Olive in a North 1, Group 4 semifinal. Junior Tucker Kanning rushed for 115 yards and two TDs, and senior Chase Calarco ran for 89 yards and a score. Senior Jack O’Callaghan threw for 112 yards. Calarco made nine tackles and Kanning made eight.

Next game: Nov. 14 at Ramapo (9-1)

12. Atlantic City (9-1)

The Vikings took down three-time defending state champion Toms River North with a 42-0 rout in a South Group 5 semifinal. Sophomore quarterback Marvin Burroughs threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns, surpassing 2,200 yards for the season. Atlantic City has rolled out seven straight wins, including three by shutout. The team has allowed seven points over its last three games.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Kingsway (9-2)

11. West Morris (11-0)

Mike Finlay rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 win over Roxbury in the North 2, Group 3 sectional semifinals. The Wolfpack are headed to a sectional final for the fourth time in five seasons. They won three straight crowns from 2021-23. West Morris has allowed 13 total points in the sectional playoffs.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Summit (9-2)

10. Ramapo (9-1)

The Green Raiders broke 40 points for the sixth time with a 48-20 win over Wayne Valley in a North 1, Group 4 semifinal. Senior Casey Grusser passed for 196 yards, with two TD passes to Joseph Yessis and one each to fellow seniors Michael Ballan and Sal Livoti. Junior Jack Schneider returned an interception 44 yards for a score.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Northern Highlands (8-2)

9. DePaul (5-4)

The Spartans are the defending Non-Public B champion and No. 1 seed, and had a first-round bye. Senior Derek Zammit has thrown for 1,674 yards and 10 TDs, and rushed for 641 yards and five scores. Senior Marquan Carter has run for 582 yards and six scores. Senior Mason James has 24 receptions for 584 yards and six scores.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. St. John Vianney (5-5)

8. Glassboro (11-0)

Make it 24 consecutive wins for the Bulldogs, and eight shutouts this season, after the team’s 35-0 win over Salem in a South Group 1 semifinal. The team is one shutout away from tying the South Jersey record for shutouts in a season held by the 1917 Millville squad. The state record is 10 held by the 1904 Newark Academy team. Glassboro has surrendered 40 points in 11 games, including 20 to Haddonfield in the season opener.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Schalick (5-6)

7. Washington Township (11-0)

The Minutemen tied a program record with their 11th win thanks to a 44-26 triumph over Rancocas Valley in a Central Group 5 semifinal. Senior Andrew Osborn blocked a punt, recovered two fumbles and rushed for a touchdown for Township. Senior quarterback Cole Aquino threw for two touchdowns as he earned the school records for TD passes in a season with 19 and career TDs thrown with 44.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Old Bridge (10-1)

6. Old Tappan (10-0)

The defending Group 3 state champions earned their second consecutive shutout, 40-0, over West Milford in a North 1, Group 3 semifinal. Junior Zach Miceli threw TD passes of 28 and 12 yards to senior Joey Crescitelli, and ran for a score. Junior Christakis Nicolaou returned the second-half kickoff 87 yards for a TD for the top-seeded Golden Knights.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Wayne Hills (9-2)

5. St. Peter’s Prep (7-2)

The Marauders are seeded No. 2 in Non-Public A and won their last state title in 2019. Senior Tyler Bell has thrown for 1,514 yards and 24 TDs, and senior Hunter Watson has 38 catches for 769 yards and 14 scores. Junior Adbul Turay has rushed for 741 yards and five TDs, and senior Tyler Barksdale has run for 435 yards and six scores.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. St. Augustine (6-3)

4. Winslow (9-2)

The defending Group 4 state champions knocked off Shawnee 47-7 to advance to the South Group 4 final. The Eagles have won eight in a row, scoring 41 or more points in six of those games including each of the last five contests. Junior quarterback Jalen Parker threw for four touchdowns, giving him 34 TD passes for the season and 98 for his career, moving him into second place on New Jersey’s all-time list past Butler’s Scott Brown (96, 1997).

Next game: Nov. 15 vs. Millville (6-4)

3. Bergen Catholic (7-2)

The Crusaders are seeded No. 4 in Non-Public A and are the four-time defending state champion. Sophomore Trey Tagliaferri has thrown for 1,991 yards and 23 TDs. Sophomore Austin Busso has 40 receptions for 864 yards and 10 scores. Senior Najee Calhoun has rushed for 621 yards and 10 TDs. Senior Joshua Cruz has a team-best 56 tackles.

Next game: Nov. 15 vs. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (8-1)

2. St. Joseph (Montvale) (7-2)

The Green Knights are seeded No. 3 in Non-Public A and last won a state title in 2018. Senior Mason Geis has replaced injured senior Lamar Best, and he threw for 274 yards and four TDs in last month’s 43-42 overtime win over Bergen Catholic. Senior Nate Bailey is a running and receiving threat. Senior Kyshawn Bryant has rushed for nine TDs.

Next game: Nov. 15 vs. Delbarton (4-5)

1. Don Bosco (9-0)

The Ironmen are the No. 1 seed in Non-Public A and won their last state title in 2015. They have outscored opponents, 257-82. Sophomore Carson Schoen has thrown for 1,118 yards and 10 TDs. Senior Dante DeLuca and sophomore Ca’Si Thomas have combined for 835 rushing yards and 10 scores. Senior Jack DeMenna has five interceptions.

Next game: Nov. 14 vs. Seton Hall Prep (3-6)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Burlington Township (10-1), Mainland (7-4), West Orange (9-2), Westwood (10-1)

Source link

Click to comment

New Jersey

Division 3 NCAA Tournament: Three NJ basketball teams make the bracket

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Division 3 NCAA Tournament: Three NJ basketball teams make the bracket

Manasquan HS grad Matthew Solomon has special motivation in leading red-hot TCNJ. Montclair State, Stevens also repping the Garden State.

It was the kind of sequence that embodies everything we love about sports – and especially college basketball.

With 10 seconds left in the Saturday’s New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament final, TCNJ guard David Alexandre drove the lane, got cut off, spun around a whipped a pass into the paint as he fell backward. There to receive it was forward Matthew Solomon, a Manasquan High School grad, who finished his hard cut with a dunk that gave the Lions a two-point lead at Montclair State.

Then, on the other end, Montclair State star Jacob Morales had a long look at a game-winner with two seconds left – but Solomon closed out and blocked the shot as time expired.

Both teams are headed to the Division III NCAA Tournament, which unveiled its bracket today (so is a third New Jersey representative, Stevens Institute of Technology). It was an incredible moment on its face, so exhilarating that former Villanova coach and two-time March Madness champion Jay Wright spotlighted it on social media.

“That’s surreal,” Solomon said. “I grew up watching Nova, so to see that was really cool. He was giving Division 3 basketball some love, which is deserved.”

One of the best-kept secrets in college sports is just how high-quality D-3 hoops is, and Jersey has long been a hotbed, regularly sending squads to the Final Four. On the men’s side the Garden State’s last national champion was Rowan in 1996. That could change in the coming weeks.

But along with quality hoops, Division 3 ball features amazing stories, and the story behind Solomon’s heroics is even more incredible than jaw-dropping end to Saturday’s classic.

On his left wrist, the 6-foot-7 senior out of Spring Lake Heights wore protective tape over a wristband that read, “Paterno Strong” in honor of his cousin Billy Paterno, who died in 2024 at age 3 of leukemia. His parents, Point Pleasant residents Danielle and William, were at the NJAC title game.

“They’re an amazing family,” Solomon said. “The stuff they went through showed me what real strength looks like. Me facing adversity on the basketball court, when I look over and see them and look down on my wrist and see the Paterno Strong wristband, after what they did, I can keep playing for 40 minutes of basketball.”

Solomon finished the epic final with 22 points and 17 rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting, but he was quick to credit Saddle River Day grad Alexandre (24 points, 4 assists) and ace point guard and Don Bosco Prep grad Nick Koch (14 points) for their contributions.

For some context on the achievement: Montclair State was 24-0 and ranked No. 1 in all of Division 3 when TCNJ beat the Red Hawks twice in three-game span.

“Jersey basketball, you know how it is – the best in the country,” Solomon said. “We got a taste of playing the top team in the country and that definitely prepared us for what’s next, and hopefully we prepared them, so we can both show the whole country what New Jersey basketball is about.”

There’s one more powerful aspect to Solomon’s story. His father Larry Solomon died of Covid in February 2021, and a month later his brother Andrew Solomon hit the game-winning shot with one second left in the Shore Conference A final, capping a perfect season for Manasquan High. Andrew went on to serve as a manager with Monmouth’s basketball program.

“People are trying to compare my shot to his, but Andrew’s got me topped by a million,” Matthew said.

But between his father and his cousin Billy, “I’ve got people watching me from above,” Matthew said. “All the things I do are for them.”

Keep that in mind as TCNJ (21-6 overall, 14-4 NJAC) opens the Division 3 bracket against Johns Hopkins (20-7) Friday Randolph-Macon in Ashland Virginia. The winner will face either host Randolph-Macon (25-3) or North Carolina Wesleyan (21-6) Saturday at the same site.

“We know we can run with the best of them,” Solomon said. “We’re not pleased with just being here now. Maybe the past two years, just making it was enough. This year that’s not enough. We’ve got a special group.”

In a new wrinkle this year, the D-3 quarterfinals, semifinals and final will take place in Indianapolis, sharing a stage with the Division I Final Four. It’s a fitting reward.

“Playing Division 3 basketball has changed my life,” Solomon said. “You’ve really got to love the game, but I’ve built relationships with teammates, coaches and alumni – connections that I’m going to have the rest of my life. If I were to go back to high school, I would make the same exact decision a thousand times out of a thousand.”

Montclair State (25-1, overall, 17-1 NJAC)

The Red Hawks reached No. 1 in the nation after reeling off 24 straight wins to open the campaign. They average 92.1 points per game shooting a whopping 40.4 percent from 3-point range and hitting 13.1 triples per game.

They will play host to Maine-Farmington (22-5) on Friday, and if they win will host the winner of Bates (18-8) vs. Yeshiva (20-8) in the second round on Saturday.

Leading the way is senior forward Jacob Morales, a Montvale native, Pascack Hills High School grad and former Rutgers walk-on. The NJAC Player of the Year averages 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.

Sophomore guard and Trenton native Kabrien Goss (14.7 ppg), freshman guard and Morris Catholic grad Cristian Nicholson (11.4 ppg) and sophomore forward and Lenape High School grad Myles Primas (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg) are key contributors.

Under head coach Justin Potts, the Red Hawks reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year and also made the field in 2022-23.

Stevens (18-9 overall, 10-4 MAC Freedom)

The Ducks are four-time MAAC Freedom champions under head coach Bobby Hurley, who won his 300^th game at the program’s helm in February.

They will visit Christopher Newport (21-5) in Newport News, Va., on Friday, with the winner advancing to Saturday’s second round at the same site against either Mount Union (23-3) or Washington and Jefferson (22-6).

Junior guard Tommy Scholl, the MAC Freedom MVP, averages 18.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Junior forward Harmehar Chhabra, a South Brunswick High School grad, averages 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists and recorded a triple-double (12 points, 11 boards, 11 assists) against Lebanon Valley last month.

Junior guard Kyle Maddison (14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.0 apg) and senior guard Matt Leming out of Haddonfield (9.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg) add to an offense that shoots 47 percent from the field.

This is the program’s fourth NCAA Tournament appearance, all under Hurley. The Ducks reached the second round in 2022.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

Source link

New Jersey

Blizzard causes heavy damage to New Jersey animal refuge

Published

21 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Blizzard causes heavy damage to New Jersey animal refuge

A New Jersey animal shelter is asking for the public’s help after last month’s blizzard did heavy damage to its property in Ocean County.

On social media, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge posted a video and described the fury of the storm. saying that the blizzard “caused unexpected damage… impacting habitats, fencing, structures, and critical infrastructure.”

The nonprofit animal haven says its team “worked tirelessly to keep every animal safe during the storm,” however, “the aftermath has left us facing urgent repairs and significant financial strain.”

Photo: Popcorn Park Animal Refuge

The refuge says this winter has been “especially challenging.” It says “repeated severe weather has forced extended closures to the public, further limiting vital support and creating an added burden during an already difficult recovery period,” adding “we need our community now more than ever.”

Popcorn Park was established in 1977, according to its website. It’s part of the Associated Humane Societies — which bills itself as New Jersey’s largest animal welfare organization. Popcorn Park describes itself as “a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused, or elderly farm animals, birds, and wildlife (domestic and exotic).”

Source link

New Jersey

Natural Daylight Time: What is it, and why New Jersey should adapt this practice instead

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Natural Daylight Time: What is it, and why New Jersey should adapt this practice instead

We’re now officially less than a week before we spring forward in New Jersey, and everyone has an opinion on it. The clock change, by the way, will happen on Sunday, Mar. 8, 2026. We’ll essentially skip the 2 a.m. hour and gain the extra hour of daylight in the evening.

But the reality is, we don’t gain a thing when we do this. We’re so conditioned to believe we gain sunlight, but all we’re doing is shifting the clocks. Animals don’t do this, and are unaffected by what a clock says.

ALSO READ: Snow vs. no snow: How most in NJ feel after latest blizzard

Our pets, on the other hand, are forced to change with our practice of doing this. It really is an outdated practice, but we can’t stop it just like that simply because we’ll either complain about it being too dark during winter mornings under daylight saving, or getting dark too soon during summer nights under standard time.

It should be a lot simpler. And for those of us in New Jersey, it can be. Here’s what I think we should do.

Time clocks calendar thumbs up green check approve sunrise sunset

Canva (Townsquare Illustration)

Leave the clock, adjust our day

When I worked on a golf course, all we did was adjust when we came in based on when the sun came up. During the longer days, we started at 6 a.m. And when the sunrise was later than 6 a.m., we adjusted our start time to 7 a.m.

Why can’t we just do this when it comes to work and school? Leave the clocks in standard time since that’s the one truly aligned with the Earths rotation. During the winter, make the regular workday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., then adjust it to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the summer. It’s just that simple.

In other words, we’d be following Natural Daylight Time. Just get rid of the clock change, and adjust our day based on the sunrise. Problem solved.

Final flakes: When does snow season end in NJ?

Gallery Credit: Dan Zarrow

Significant or historical events in New Jersey for March (in chronological order)

Here are some of the historical or significant events that impacted New Jersey or happened in the Garden State during March. Is there an event missing? Let us know with an email to dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host & content contributor Mike Brant. Any opinions expressed are his own.

Source link