BCC football rankings through Week 0: Who's in the top spot?

Heading into Week 1 of the high school football season, here's a look at how BCC teams stack up.

(record in parenthesis)

1. Phillipsburg (0-0) – last week ranked No. 1 -- The Stateliners begin their season in Week 1, playing host to Sayreville (1-0) on Friday night at Maloney Stadium. Phillipsburg won last season’s meeting 14-7.

2. Hillside (0-0) –last week ranked No. 2 – The Comets did not play in Week 0. They get their season started Saturday at home against Bernards (1-0), which Hillside beat 35-20 last season.

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3. St. Thomas Aquinas (1-0) – last week ranked No. 3 – The Trojans shook off questions about graduation losses and delivered a 42-7 win over Paul VI at the Battle of the Beach at Ocean City. Chase Young stepped into a starting role by rushing for 83 yards on 10 carries with three scores. Quarterback Roman Blanks was 4-of-4 for 105 yards and threw an 83-yard TD pass to Zacai Manigo, who also scored on a 40-yard interception return. The Trojans host New Providence (1-0) on Friday, They won last year's meeting 49-14.

4. Ridge (0-0) – last week ranked No. 4 -- The Red Devils were idle in Week 0. They kick things off Thursday night at Monroe (0-1). Ridge won 48-0 when these teams met last year.

More: HS football: 2023 Big Central Conference, Central Jersey previews

5. Hillsborough (1-0) – last week ranked No. 5 -- The Raiders came storming out of the gate with a nice, balanced 29-8 win at South Brunswick, getting contributions from a host of players. Hillsborough heads to East Brunswick (0-1) this Friday night, a team Boro beat 42-6 last season.

6. North Brunswick (0-0) – last week ranked No. 6 -- The Raiders did not play in Week 0. They’ll kick things off Friday night, traveling to South Brunswick (0-1).

7. Bernards (1-0) –– last week ranked No. 7 -- The Mountaineers turned in a dominant opening-night effort, blasting Jefferson 47-6 on the road. One more away from Bernards, on Saturday at Hillside (0-0), before three straight Patriot Gold Division home games. A win this week would give coach Jon Simoneau his 100th career win.

8. Montgomery (1-0) – last week ranked No. 9 -- The Cougars ransacked Robbinsville 34-7 last weekend, as Brady Post went for 194 yards and three touchdowns, and added a pair of sacks in the win. Montgomery takes on Franklin (1-0) on Friday night, a team it beat 28-14 last season.

9. Sayreville (1-0) – last week ranked No. 12 -- The Bombers jump four spots with their big 42-21 win over Colonia, fueled by a ground-and-pound running attack and stellar defense. Zaimer Wright rushed for three touchdowns and 195 yards on 17 carries, also adding a 45-yard TD pass, and Travis Gaston picked up 105 yards on 11 carries and a score. Sayreville travels to Phillipsburg (0-0) next Friday.

WRIGHT ON TIME: Sayreville football tops Colonia as Zaimer Wright flashes skillset for four TDs

10. Westfield (0-0) – last week ranked No. 11 -- The Blue Devils didn’t play last week. They’ll begin the 2023 campaign Saturday at home against Watchung Hills (1-0). Westfield lost last year’s opener to the Warriors, 17-7.

11. Colonia (0-1) –– last week ranked No. 8 -- The Patriots dropped the opener to a tough Sayreville team 45-21. However, Colonia created opportunities and were able to move the offense at times. Julien Jones returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown and Noah Bone had an interception. Colonia looks to bounce back at Scotch Plains-Fanwood (1-0) on Thursday. The Pats topped the Raiders 34-24 last season.

12. Cranford (0-0) – last week ranked No. 13 -- The Cougars were idle in Week 0. They’ll open their season Friday at North Hunterdon (0-1). North won last year’s get together 34-7 en route to a state sectional title.

13. St. Joseph-Metuchen (0-0) – last week ranked No. 14 – The Falcons get their season underway Friday at New Brunswick (0-1). St. Joe won last year’s affair 30-6.

14. Watchung Hills (1-0) – last week ranked No. 15 -- The Warriors steamrolled Bayonne on Friday afternoon at Tozier Stadium, getting a stellar offensive effort and a dominant defensive performance. Watchung Hills travels to Westfield (0-0) on Saturday, a team the Warriors beat 17-7 last season.

15. Bridgewater-Raritan (1-0) - last week not ranked – The Panthers came roaring out to an impressive start throttling reigning sectional champ Edison 44-12 behind three Dan Sorensen touchdowns in just four touches. BR welcomes in Union (0-1) on Friday night, a team the Panthers beat 7-6 last year.

ALSO RECEIVING CONSIDERATION: Carteret (1-0), Linden (1-0), Somerville (1-0), Woodbridge (1-0).

DROPPED OUT: Edison (0-1).

Simeon Pincus has been covering New Jersey sports since 1997. He can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus

Andy Mendlowitz can be reached at AMendlowitz@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @Andy_Mendlowitz

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Football rankings: Big Central Conference Top 15, through Week 0