3 new teams join New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into state semifinals | Football

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Three new teams joined the New Jersey Super 25 rankings heading into the penultimate weekend of the high school football playoffs.

Cedar Creek and Holy Spirit returned to the Super 25 for the first time in several weeks, and Westwood makes its first appearance this season.

This week's state semifinals will feature 10 matchups in which both teams are ranked, including top-five matchups in both Non-Public games.

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. Westwood (11-1)

Public ranking: 15

The Cardinals captured their third sectional title in four years with a 32-6 victory over Ramsey in North 1, Group 2. Senior Steve Klein ran for 101 yards and scored in the opening minute on a 55-yard run. Senior Conner Readie returned a fumble 41 yards for a TD to make it 16-0. Sophomore Bruno Vega ran for two TDs to extend the lead to 32-0.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Shabazz (10-1)

24. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (8-2)

Non-public ranking: 10

The Falcons lost to Bergen Catholic, 56-14, in the Non-Public A quarterfinals. Justin Scaramuzzo threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Walker and ran in a 6-yard score. He has more than 1,500 combined passing and rushing yards on the season. St. Joseph started the year 8-0 and captured the Big Central Conference American Gold Division title.

Next game: Season complete

23. Donovan Catholic (8-4)

Non-public ranking: 9

Holy Spirit scored with 10 seconds remaining to defeat the Griffins, 34-27, in a Non-Public B quarterfinal after the Griffins had erased a 26-13 deficit and taken a one-point lead. The defeat snapped Donovan Catholic's seven-game winning streak. Junior running back Alex Staten ran for 150 yards with TD runs of 65 and 12 yards. Junior quarterback Kahden Davis scored on a 1-yard TD run and threw a 9-yard TD pass to freshman Justin Roberts.

Next game: Season complete

22. Holy Spirit (7-3)

Non-public ranking: 8

The fifth-seeded Spartans checked into the Non-Public B state semifinals with a thrilling 34-27 win over fourth-seeded Donovan Catholic. Ty Costabile connected with Emanuel Gerena for a 1-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds left in regulation for the victory. Taylor Cartwright scored three times, including twice on throws from Costabile. Holy Spirit has won five straight games.

Next game: Nov. 21 at DePaul (6-4)

21. Shabazz (10-1)

Public ranking: 14

Faheem Ausbon hauled in a 54-yard touchdown pass from Karriem Coston with 1:25 left as the Bulldogs fended off upset-minded Madison, 26-16, in the North 2, Group 2 sectional final. Nasir Richardson intercepted a pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown as time expired.Next game: Nov. 21 at Westwood (10-1)

20. Northern Highlands (8-3)

Public ranking: 13

The Highlanders came up one play shy of the North 1, Group 4 sectional title, losing in overtime to top-seeded and defending champion Ramapo, 28-27. Senior Chase Calarco and junior Tucker Kanning rushed for a combined 290 yards and three TDs, with Kanning scoring in OT, but the Highlanders were stopped short on a potential game-winning 2-point conversion.

Next game: Season complete

19. Cedar Creek (10-2)

Public ranking: 12

The Pirates captured the program’s fourth sectional title and first since 2021 with a thrilling 34-28 victory over Mainland in the South Group 3 title game. After Mainland tied the game on a field goal, Frenchmon Bethea connected with Gyan King on a 65-yard scoring strike in the game’s final minute for the decisive score. Cedar Creek has won 10 of its last 11 games with the only loss a 20-17 overtime defeat to Ocean City in the regular-season finale.

Next game: Nov. 21 at Holmdel (9-2)

18. Holmdel (9-2)

Public ranking: 11

Senior quarterback Jack Cannon continued his legendary season, accounting for 301 yards of total offense and four TDs, as the Hornets defeated Seneca, 41-20, to capture the first sectional championship in the program's 54-season history. Cannon has now accounted for 58 TDs on the season – 30 rushing and 28 passing. He has also accounted for 4,070 yards of total offense – 2,550 passing and 1,520 rushing.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Cedar Creek (10-2)

17. Brick Memorial (10-2)

Public ranking: 10

Senior quarterback Jason Lajara ran for two TDs, including a spectacular 39-yard run on the last play of the first half as the Mustangs defeated Middletown North, 28-0, in the Central Group 4 sectional championship game. Senior running back Na'zeer Whittaker scored two touchdowns, including an 88-yard kickoff return to open the second half. Brick Memorial tied the school's single-season record for victories, set in 2005 and equaled in 2023.

Next game: Nov. 22 at Winslow (10-2)

16. Kingsway (10-2)

Public ranking: 9

The Dragons captured their program’s third sectional title and first since 2021 with a 38-21 victory at Atlantic City. Senior quarterback David Oravetz threw for a pair of touchdowns and defensive star Jordan Hernandez rushed for a touchdown to power Kingsway’s offense. The Dragons produced four takeaways on defense, including a pick-six by Musa Jackson that iced the game in the fourth quarter.

Next game: Nov. 21 at Washington Township (12-0)

15. Phillipsburg (10-1)

Public ranking: 8

The Stateliners repeated as North 2, Group 4 sectional champions with a 41-21 win over Montgomery. Phillipsburg won the program’s 10th sectional title in its 19th trip to the final by overcoming an early 8-3 deficit with five straight scores. Sam Dech rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns, and Eddie O’Neil made a tackle in the end zone for a safety.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Ramapo (10-1)

14. Camden (9-2)

Public ranking: 7

The Panthers earned their fourth sectional title and third in the last four seasons with a 43-7 rout over Wall in the Central Group 2 final. Senior quarterback Ahmad Jones threw for three touchdowns, including a pair to Ibn Muhammad, and Christian Braxton rushed for a pair of scores. Camden scored 36 unanswered points in the second half to pull away for the victory.

Next game: Nov. 21 at Haddonfield (9-2)

13. Red Bank Catholic (11-1)

Non-public ranking: 7

Freshman running back ran for two touchdowns as the Caseys beat Paul VI, 36-0, in a Non-Public B quarterfinal. Senior Daniel Zabora caught a 35-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 37 yards for a score. It is the sixth time in the last seven seasons the NJSIAA has conducted playoffs that RBC has reached a group semifinal. The Caseys have outscored their last four opponents 174-7 since a 30-16 defeat at Paramus Catholic on Oct. 17.

Next game: Nov. 21 at Paramus Catholic (5-6)

12. Paramus Catholic (5-6)

Non-public ranking: 6

The second-seeded Paladins registered the most points in New Jersey in Week 11 with a 63-31 victory over seventh-seeded Immaculata in a Non-Public B state quarterfinal. It’s the most points the program has scored since twice ringing up 63 in 2014. Sophomore Anthony Lopez caught two TD passes in the first half to put PC ahead to stay, 28-24.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Red Bank Catholic (11-1)

11. West Morris (12-0)

Public ranking: 6

Deacon Frayne rushed for two touchdowns as the Wolfpack ran away from Summit, 35-14, in the North 2, Group 3 sectional final. West Morris tied a school record for wins in a single season while dominating on the ground with 356 rushing yards as a team.Next game: Nov. 21 at Old Tappan (11-0)

10. DePaul (6-4)

Non-public ranking: 5

The top-seeded Spartans opened defense of their Non-Public B state championship with a 35-14 quarterfinal win over eighth-seeded St. John Vianney. Senior Marquan Carter rushed for 102 yards and two TDs. Senior Derek Zammit threw for 156 yards, with a TD pass to senior Colin Woodall. Senior Logan Monteyne returned an interception 37 yards for a TD.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Holy Spirit (7-3)

9. Ramapo (10-1)

Public ranking: 5

The top-seeded Green Raiders repeated as North 1, Group 4 sectional champions with a dramatic 28-27 overtime win over second-seeded Northern Highlands. In OT, senior Liam Hayward scored his second TD, on a 2-yard run, and sophomore Devin Hunt kicked his fourth extra point. The defense then stopped the Highlanders’ 2-point conversion attempt.

Next game: Nov. 21 at Phillipsburg (10-1)

8. Glassboro (12-0)

Public ranking: 4

The defending Group 1 state champion Bulldogs rolled to the South Jersey crown with a 47-14 victory over Schalick. Glassboro has won a state-best 25 games in a row. The Bulldogs surrendered their first touchdown in four games, and the 14 points were the second-highest total allowed by the team this season.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Burlington City (11-1)

7. Washington Township (12-0)

Public ranking: 3

The Minutemen successfully defended their sectional crown with a 38-7 victory over Old Bridge in the Central Group 5 title game on Friday. Andrew Osborn rushed for three touchdowns, Isaac Parra had a pick-six and Colin Beeler rushed for a long touchdown in the second half to power Washington Township.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Kingsway (10-2)

6. Old Tappan (11-0)

Public ranking: 2

The top-seeded Golden Knights, the defending Group 3 state champions, repeated as a sectional titlist with a 42-14 win over second-seeded Wayne Hills in North 1, Group 3. Junior Christakis Nicolaou opened the scoring in the first quarter by returning an interception 31 yards for a TD. Junior Zach Miceli threw three TD passes in the first half for a 35-7 halftime lead.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. West Morris (12-0)

5. St. Peter's Prep (8-2)

Non-public ranking: 4

The second-seeded Marauders led from start to finish in a 31-17 win over St. Augustine in a Non-Public A state quarterfinal. Senior Tyler Bell threw for 161 yards, including TD passes to senior Hunter Watson and junior Abdul Turay, who rushed for 115 yards. Senior Jordan Rodriguez returned a second-quarter kickoff 79 yards for a TD and 17-7 lead.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. St. Joseph (Montvale) (8-2)

4. Winslow (10-2)

Public ranking: 1

The Eagles captured their third consecutive sectional crown with a 53-14 victory over Millville. Winslow scored the final 35 points of the game, including a pair of pick-sixes by Benji Carter and KaRon Ali. Quarterback Jalen Parker threw for four touchdowns, including the 100th for his career, becoming the first junior in state history to hit the century mark. He’s two TD passes shy of the state record (105) set by Timber Creek’s Devin Leary in 2017.

Next game: Nov. 22 vs. vs. Brick Memorial (10-2)

3. Bergen Catholic (8-2)

Non-public ranking: 3

Seeking a fifth consecutive Non-Public A state championship, the fourth-seeded Crusaders opened with a 56-14 quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded St. Joseph (Metuchen). Sophomore Trey Tagliaferri threw for 140 yards and five TDs, including two scores to junior Anthony Willis. Seniors Najee Calhoun, Dante Kain and Max Nizza each ran for scores.

Next game: Nov. 21 at Don Bosco (10-0)

2. St. Joseph (Montvale) (8-2)

Non-public ranking: 2

The third-seeded Green Knights registered their second shutout, 35-0, over sixth-seeded Delbarton in a Non-Public A state quarterfinal. Senior Lamar Best, back after being sidelined for multiple games due to injury, threw for 235 yards, including a TD pass to junior Stalin Knowlden, who also ran for a score. Senior Nate Bailey ran for two TDs and junior Steve Vazquez ran for a score.

Next game: Nov. 21 at St. Peter’s Prep (8-2)

1. Don Bosco (10-0)

Non-public ranking: 1

The top-seeded Ironmen defeated eighth-seeded Seton Hall Prep, 42-7, in a Non-Public A state semifinal. It’s the fourth consecutive game and sixth overall that they held an opponent to fewer than 10 points. Six players reached the end zone, with junior Zakai Murphy opening the scoring on a 76-yard run to help the offense break 40 points for the third time.

Next game: Nov. 21 vs. Bergen Catholic (8-2)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Bridgewater-Raritan (9-3), Butler (11-0), Passaic Tech (9-3)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New Jersey Super 25 rankings, 3 teams join ahead of state semifinals

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