Advertisement

Morris/Sussex football: Top 10 rankings heading into the 2023 season

nick gantaifis and robert aitken jr., northjersey.com
·4 min read

Another season of football is set to begin across Morris and Sussex counties.

As some contenders from last season look to rebuild, others are hoping to climb the ladder and make an early impact this season.

We'll rank the Top 10 teams in the Morris/Sussex area each week. Here are our preseason rankings before the 2023 season kicks off this weekend.

Last year's records in parentheses.

10. Butler (7-3)

Butler won five straight games at the end of the season before falling to eventual sectional champion Weequahic in the sectional semifinals. Quarterback Bobby Battipede threw for 12 touchdowns and ran for five others for the Bulldogs, who hope to contend in the tough NJIC Patriot Division.

First game: Aug. 31 vs. Wood-Ridge

9. Roxbury (5-4)

After rallying from an 0-3 start, the Gaels won five straight games before a first round playoff exit. Quarterback Anthony Skawinski and running back Matt Rattay, return for their senior seasons after leading Roxbury with 13 total rushing touchdowns a season ago. The Gaels defense snagged 10 interceptions last fall.

First game: Friday at Parsippany Hills

8. Sparta (6-4)

Sparta football at Lakeland on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. S #22 Josh Brancy.
Sparta football at Lakeland on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. S #22 Josh Brancy.

The Spartans will miss quarterback Austen Frattura, who threw for more than 1,900 yards last fall before graduating. Helping with the growing pains will be the running back tandem of returning seniors Brandon Cabrera and Josh Brancy, who combined for 1,145 yards and 17 touchdowns a season ago. Sparta remains a playoff contender in a loaded Group 3.

First game: Sept. 1 vs. Lakeland

7. Morris Knolls (7-3)

Morris Knolls' Kyle Hardie tries to break past Parsippany Hills' defense during the first half of a football game at Parsippany Hills High School on September 9, 2022. Alexandra Pais | Daily Record
Morris Knolls' Kyle Hardie tries to break past Parsippany Hills' defense during the first half of a football game at Parsippany Hills High School on September 9, 2022. Alexandra Pais | Daily Record

The Golden Eagles held North Hunterdon to one of its lowest totals of the season but still were ousted in the North 2, Group 4 semifinals. Morris Knolls loses many of its impactful offensive weapons from last season, but the tried and true system of longtime coach Bill Regan makes Morris Knolls a threat year in and year out.

First game: Sept. 1 at Roxbury

6. West Morris (12-1)

West Essex's Luke Struss runs the ball as West Morris' Jack DeFusco defends during the first half of a football game at West Morris Central High School on November 11, 2022.
West Essex's Luke Struss runs the ball as West Morris' Jack DeFusco defends during the first half of a football game at West Morris Central High School on November 11, 2022.

An impactful senior class, led by All-New Jersey standout Stefano Montella, is gone to graduation. Yet it still feels unwise to bet against the Wolfpack, who won at least seven games each of the past four seasons, including the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Most of the defense returns after holding opponents to an average of 9.6 points per game last season.

First game: Friday vs. Mendham

5. Newton (10-1)

Newton hosts Ramsey in a high school football game on Friday October 14, 2022. The Newton High School Band plays in the stands.
Newton hosts Ramsey in a high school football game on Friday October 14, 2022. The Newton High School Band plays in the stands.

With seven straight winning seasons and no more than three losses in any of them, Newton has been near the top of the field in Group 2 for quite some time. Life without running backs Brayden Nolan and Thaylor Sibblies won't be easy, but the Braves always seem to find a way. Newton has not lost a regular-season game since September 2019.

First game: Sept. 1 vs. Warren Hills

4. Pope John (4-6)

Five straight losses to end last season took away from a promising start for the Lions. Junior Tylik Hill returns to the backfield after reaching 1,000 yards as a sophomore, and senior Sir Paris Jones anchors a defense that registered 23 sacks a season ago.

First game: Saturday vs. Newark Collegiate

3. Mountain Lakes (11-2)

Mountain Lakes hosts Brearley in a high school football sectional final on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Mountain Lakes celebrates defeating Brearley.
Mountain Lakes hosts Brearley in a high school football sectional final on Saturday, November 12, 2022. Mountain Lakes celebrates defeating Brearley.

Mountain Lakes held a halftime lead at Rutgers in the first-ever Group 1 state championship game last December, but couldn't hold on. The Herd return plenty of impactful players as they look to get back to that game. Senior Marco Dzamba led a stout defense that allowed only 11.5 points per game during the regular season.

First game: Sept. 1 vs. Lenape Valley

2. Randolph (9-2)

Randolph's Jesse Wilfong celebrates his interception against Mount Olive during the first half of a football game at Randolph High School September 02, 2022.
Randolph's Jesse Wilfong celebrates his interception against Mount Olive during the first half of a football game at Randolph High School September 02, 2022.

The Rams couldn't keep up in a shootout loss to North Hunterdon in the sectional final, the program's first sectional final appearance since 2010. Senior Jesse Wilfong returns to lead a rushing attack that amassed 1,621 yards a season ago. Senior transfer Josh Anderson is a quarterback with Division I attention and the weapons to keep Randolph in the mix in Group 4.

First game: Sept. 1 at Mount Olive

1. Delbarton (6-6)

Delbarton head coach Brian Bowers on the sidelines in the first half. Delbarton defeated Pope John 37-19 in a game played at Delbarton on October 8, 2022.
Delbarton head coach Brian Bowers on the sidelines in the first half. Delbarton defeated Pope John 37-19 in a game played at Delbarton on October 8, 2022.

The Green Wave sit atop the rankings after a season that included a four-game win streak and a trip to the Non-Public A semifinals. Senior Ryan Trafford returns as the primary running back after rushing for 1,631 yards as a junior. Delbarton will play two out-of-state games before opening up the New Jersey part of its schedule.

First game: Sept. 2 at St. Anthony's (N.Y.)

Also considered (listed alphabetically): Jefferson (6-4), Kinnelon (6-4), Lenape Valley (5-6)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Preseason Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings