New Jersey
New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into sectional finals | Football
Northern Highlands’ Tucker Kanning scores TD against Mount Olive
Tucker Kanning scored on a 4-yard touchdown run in Northern Highlands’ sectional-semifinal win over Mount Olive.
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)
Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.
Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.
A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned
And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.
And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?
The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey
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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.
The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.
The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations
The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.
The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.
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PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
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So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
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If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
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