New Jersey

New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into sectional finals | Football

Published

4 months ago

November 11, 2025

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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)

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New Jersey

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for March 4, 2026

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Did anyone win Powerball? Winning numbers for March 4, 2026

APP.com Digital Desk
| Asbury Park Press

Powerball winning numbers are in for the Wednesday, March 2 drawing with a jackpot that reached an estimated $20 million ($9.4 million cash option).

The winning numbers in Wednesday’s drawing are 7, 14, 42, 47, and 56, with Powerball number 6. The Power Play number is 4.

Did anyone win the Powerball jackpot?

No one won the Powerball jackpot

When is the next drawing of the Powerball?

The next Powerball drawing is Saturday. Drawings are held at 10:59 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

How late can you buy a Powerball ticket?

In New Jersey, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 9:59 p.m. on the night of the draw.

What does it cost to play Powerball?

Powerball costs $2 to play. For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play feature can multiply nonjackpot prizes by two, three, four, five or 10 times.

Are you a Powerball winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All New Jersey Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.99. For prizes over $599.99, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at New Jersey Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to New Jersey Lottery, Attn: Validations, PO Box 041, Trenton, NJ 08625-0041.

Winners can drop off their claim form and winning ticket in person at the New Jersey Lottery office where a secure drop box is available. Claim forms are also available at the office. Hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Lawrence Park Complex, 1333 Brunswick Avenue Circle, Trenton, NJ 08648.

To find a lottery retalier, you can search the NJ lotto website.

What is the Powerball payout?

The complete guide to winnings is:

Match 5 White Balls + Powerball: Jackpot
Match 5 White Balls: $1 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball: $50,000
Match 4 White Balls: $100
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball: $100
Match 3 White Balls: $7
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball: $7
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball: $4
Match Powerball: $4
Match 5 White Balls with Power Play: $2 million
Match 4 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $200,000
Match 4 White Balls with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $400
Match 3 White Balls with Power Play: $28
Match 2 White Balls + Powerball with Power Play: $28
Match 1 White Ball + Powerball with Power Play: $16
Match Powerball with Power Play: $16

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The overall odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.

How do I find the Powerball winning numbers?

Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also lived streamed on Powerball.com. The winning numbers are posted to the Powerball and New Jersey Lottery websites.

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New Jersey

NJ’s biggest Catholic diocese hits pause on plan to merge parishes

Published

23 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

NJ’s biggest Catholic diocese hits pause on plan to merge parishes

Last June, the Catholic Archdiocese of Newark launched a review called “We Are His Witnesses,” which aimed to consider potential consolidations or closures of some of its 211 North Jersey parishes.

But amid confusion and pushback from many parishioners, Cardinal Joseph Tobin said Wednesday that the archdiocese will now extend its review to allow for further study and conversations.

In a letter published on the Archdiocese website March 4, Tobin, the archbishop of Newark, noted the challenges remain the same: a steady decline in membership and a shortage of priests projected to grow worse in the coming years. He did not specify how much longer the process would take but said he would have more to announce in June.

The largest of New Jersey’s five Catholic dioceses, the Newark Archdiocese serves approximately 1.3 million people in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties.

Story continues after gallery.

Some parishioners, Tobin wrote, “came to believe — incorrectly — that the overall goal of We Are His Witnesses is to close churches. That has never been the purpose.

“This work is not driven by downsizing, but by mission: by the call to strengthen parish life so that it can truly form disciples and reach those who are not yet engaged in the life of the Church.”

The program’s aim is not to close churches, but to “strengthen parish life” he added.

He said a follow-up announcement would come on June 12 but reassured parishioners that “there is no need to fear that an immediate and wholesale closure of parishes will be announced.”

‘The Church is not a museum’

Current circumstances demand Church leaders to make difficult decisions, he said. “The challenges we face are real: fewer priests, fewer people in the pews, communities that look very different than they did even a generation ago, and financial strain. Ignoring the changed landscape does not preserve parish life; it weakens it. The Church is not a museum to preserve what it once was,” he wrote.

The initiative kicked off last summer, with meetings at churches around the region to allow parishioners to offer feedback. Many expressed fears about their future of their church, Tobin said.

Parishioners at many of the meetings and in letters to Tobin expressed concerns about the program. As a result, Tobin concluded that “it is clear that the communities of the Archdiocese need more time for honest discernment. We are extending this phase of our work to allow for deeper reflection and broader consultation throughout our local Church.”

“This is not a pause in mission. It is a call to take the mission seriously and to ask ourselves, with renewed honesty, what it means to be a missionary Church today.”

Msgr. Richard Arnhols, pastor emeritus of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Bergenfield and a member of a committee of pastoral leaders helping to guide the review, said that, “Based on the input from the priests and people of the parishes which took place last fall, Cardinal Tobin has approved a period of additional study and reflection before any decisions are made.”

The first step is further conversation among parish priests, which will take place this month, he said.

Gregory Hann, a religious instructor at St. Vincent Academy in Newark, applauded Tobin’s decision. “If we continue to do things the way we have been doing them, we become a stagnant Church and we allow the comforts of our culture and the outside to keep us from moving from the Cross to glory.”

Nicholas Grillo of Bloomfield, a parishioner who attended several listening sessions at Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City, approved of the decision. “Hopefully the pause will give them time to reevaluate this going forward,” he said.

He added that it was a “waste of money” to pay large sums of money to a consultant that “doesn’t understand the intricacies of the Archdiocese of Newark,” he said, referring to the Catholic Leadership Institute, a Pennsylvania group that the archdiocese has engaged.

Instead, Grillo suggested, “they should put together a group of lay parishioners and priests from the diocese who can collaborate on a better path forward.”

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New Jersey

Devils Out to Rattle the Leafs | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Devils Out to Rattle the Leafs | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils

THE SCOOP

The Devils began their season-high seven-game homestand with a decisive victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The win was their second consecutive victory after picking up a win in St. Louis earlier in the week.

There’s not a lot of runway left in the season, and stringing together a run of victories is at the top of their minds. New Jersey is 11 points out of the final Wild Card spot, and 13 out of third in the Metropolitan Division. Tuesday will mark the Devils final game before the NHL Trade Deadline, which is on Friday at 3 p.m.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a down year, based on where the expectations were set heading into the season. The Leafs have struggled to gain any traction in their season and sit just two points ahead of New Jersey with 64. Toronto is 12 points out of third in the Atlantic Division, and nine points out of a Wild Card spot.

The Leafs have a tendency to give up an abundance of shots to their opponents, ranking first in the league in shots against, per game with 31.8, which bodes will for a Devils team that averages 29.4 shots per game, ranking sixth in the league. Despite their overall struggles, the Leafs do have the league’s fourth-best penalty kill, working at an 83.1 percent efficiency.

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