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NJ football rankings: See who's No. 1 in the first-ever Statewide Public Top 20

darren cooper, greg mattura, robert aitken jr., andy mendlowitz, steven falk, josh friedman and tom mcgurk, northjersey.com
·8 min read

Who's No. 1?

For the first time ever, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey will rank the Top 20 public-school football teams the Garden State all season long.

We're introducing these brand-new rankings one year after the NJSIAA crowned true public-school state champions for the first time.

Here are our inaugural Statewide Public Top 20 preseason rankings.

Shawnee's Joe Papa throws a pass during the football game between Shawnee and Eastside played at Shawnee High School on Thursday, September 1, 2022.
Shawnee's Joe Papa throws a pass during the football game between Shawnee and Eastside played at Shawnee High School on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

20. Shawnee

With a good mix of skill, experience and tradition, Shawnee always seems to find a way to play meaningful football late in the season. A South Jersey Group 4 semifinalist last fall, Shawnee appears to be in prime position to make another run. Joe Papa is one of the most versatile, dual-threat QBs in South Jersey and he’ll have plenty of solid targets to throw to, including wideout Jack Conners and emerging tight end Liam Gilmore.

First game: Friday vs. Northern Burlington

19. Hammonton

The Blue Devils rattled off nine wins en route to a berth in the South Group 4 championship game last fall. Hammonton’s punishing running attack was a key last season and the team will follow a similar blueprint as Courier-Post South Jersey Player of the Year Kenny Smith and four starters on the O-line return. The offense will also benefit with the addition of quarterback Drew Craig, a Williamstown transfer.

First game: Friday vs. St. John Vianney, at the Battle at the Beach

18. Hillside

While the Comets graduated two Division I running backs, their quarterback and a top linebacker, they should still contend for a sixth consecutive divisional title. The North 1, Group 3 runner-ups return UConn commit Diego Rodriguez (LT, 6-foot-5, 275) and Talibi Kaba (Jr., RB/LB), who has offers from Boston College, Iowa State and Duke. Hillside – which ranks 29th out of 31 in enrollment in North Group 3 schools – is 52-11 over the last six seasons.

First game: Sept. 2 vs. Bernards

17. Randolph

The Rams couldn't keep up in a shootout loss to North Hunterdon in last year's North 2, Group 4 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, and 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

16. West Orange

Unbeaten last season on the road, the Mountaineers rallied to win the North 2, Group 5 sectional title for the first sectional championship in program history. Seniors Myles Snead and Zekhi Wimberly, a Syracuse commit, return to lead a defense last year that posted 38 sacks and 21 turnovers last year.

First game: Sept. 2 vs. Montclair, at Hinchliffe Stadium

Robbie Carcich celebrates a second half TD scored by Jack Dugan. Westwood faced Rutherford in the North 1, Group 2 sectional final played at Rutherford on November 12, 2022.
Robbie Carcich celebrates a second half TD scored by Jack Dugan. Westwood faced Rutherford in the North 1, Group 2 sectional final played at Rutherford on November 12, 2022.

15. Westwood

Former assistant Bobby Guy takes over as the Cardinals' head coach after the team sent previous coach Dennis Hard out with a sectional championship. Quarterback Robbie Carcich returns, as do nine starters from an excellent defense. They didn't lose a game until a 13-7 loss to undefeated Caldwell in the Group 2 state semifinals, and they have the potential to go even further this season.

First game: Friday vs. South Plainfield, at the Jim Grasso Classic

14. Middletown South

The Eagles, sectional finalists the last two seasons, return All-New Jersey first team linebacker Colin Gallagher, do-everything quarterback/defensive back/kicker/punter Jake Czwakiel and running back Donovan Summey.

First game: Friday vs. Rumson-Fair Haven

13. Phillipsburg

The Stateliners return some firepower from last season’s team that went undefeated in the regular season before losing to West Orange in the North 2, Group 5 sectional final. Junior QB Jett Genovese (1,380 yards, 13 TD/3 INT) and second-leading rusher Caleb Rivera (608 yards) are among the players to watch.

First game: Sept. 1 vs. Sayreville

12. Rumson-Fair Haven

Last season’s NJSIAA Group 2 runner-up returns standout quarterback Owen O’Toole, receiver Nick Rigby and four out of five starting offensive linemen.

First game: Friday at Middletown South

11. Irvington

The Blue Knights saw a lot of Division I caliber talent graduate in the offseason but still have a loaded roster. Senior running back Kyshir Desir is coming off of a 1,454-yard campaign while the Irvington defense boasts a half dozen players with FBS offers. The secondary will be led by Penn State commit Vaboue Toure and Stanford commit Cam Richardson, a transfer from St. Peter's Prep.

First game: Friday vs. Eastside (Camden)

Mainland's John Franchini runs the ball as Egg Harbor Township's Eric Russ closes in to make the stop during the second annual Battle at the Beach football showcase played at Ocean City High School on Friday, August 26, 2022.
Mainland's John Franchini runs the ball as Egg Harbor Township's Eric Russ closes in to make the stop during the second annual Battle at the Beach football showcase played at Ocean City High School on Friday, August 26, 2022.

10. Mainland

The Mustangs rattled off their first winning season since 2019, picking up three postseason wins en route to the Central Group 4 title before falling to Millville 18-14, in the state semifinals. Mainland returns eight starters on offense with sophomore quarterback John Franchini poised to take another big step. With only four starters back, the defense will have a new personnel in a lot of spots.

First game: Friday vs. Washington Township, at the Battle at the Beach

9. Winslow

The Eagles went 6-4 under first-year coach Bill Belton, and a potent-offense has the team ready to soar even higher this season. Winslow boasts one of the best receiving corps in the region, led by senior Jaylan Hornsby (Texas A&M commit) along with junior Cam Miller (offers from Georgia, Penn State, Wisconsin and Texas A&M, among others), sophomore Nyqir Helton (offers from Penn State and UConn), senior Kam Brown and Hammonton transfer Nakeem Powell.

First game: Friday at Cherokee

8. Camden

The Panthers’ playmaking ability was a big part of last year’s sectional championship run and doesn’t look like it will slow down this fall. The team will have to wait 30 days for Eastside (Camden) transfer Mahki Brunson to be eligible, but running back Judah Anthony, another transfer from Eastside, will be ready to roll right away. Jaythan Candelario will run the offense for the first part of the season. He saw limited time last fall, but started at QB in the state semifinal.

First game: Saturday at Lake Taylor (Va.)

7. Delsea

The Crusaders won their first 12 games last season before falling to Old Tappan, 24-14, in the Group 3 state title game. While the team lost some key components, don’t expect a big drop-off. Wayne Adair, a preseason All-New Jersey selection, leads a talented group of running backs, and Zach Maxwell returns at quarterback after missing the state final with an injury.

First game: Sept. 1 at Delran

Old Tappan coach Brian Dunn addresses his football team after a 37-14 win over Sparta.
Old Tappan coach Brian Dunn addresses his football team after a 37-14 win over Sparta.

6. Old Tappan

The Golden Knights are riding high after winning the Group 3 state championships last fall. Several key players were lost to graduation, but junior quarterback Alex Orecchio takes over behind center after making big plays in the state final when he entered as an injury replacement. There is still Division I talent on the team with lineman Jack Small (Duke commit) and kicker Nico Ottomanelli (Nebraska).

First game: Sept. 1 vs. Paramus

5. Northern Highlands

The Highlanders, who have won three sectional titles in the last four years, won back-to-back overtime games in last year's playoffs before coming up just short in an 18-14 loss to Millville in the Group 4 state championship game. One of the main challenges in the early part of the season will be replacing the entire front seven on defense.

First game: Friday vs. Willingboro

4. Caldwell

The Chiefs enter the 2023 season as defending Group 2 state champion and owner of the state's longest win streak at 28 in a row. Senior linebacker Julian Casale earned first team All-New Jersey honors with 115 tackles and nine sacks for a Caldwell defense that held opponents to nine points per game last season.

First game: Sept. 1 vs. Morris Catholic

3. Passaic Tech

After an uneven regular season, the Bulldogs went all to the Group 5 state championship game before falling to undefeated Toms River North. What changed in the playoffs? Ma'Kao Taylor took over at quarterback and guided Passaic Tech's run-heavy, ball-control attack. He returns this season, along with twins Trashon and Travon Dye, who are both committed to Syracuse.

First game: Friday at Lenape

2. Millville

The Thunderbolts have been soaring the last two seasons with 24 total wins and the first Group 4 title in state history last fall over Northern Highlands. Can this year’s model of the ‘Bolts be even better? That’s the expectation around Holly City. Millville boasts a high-flying offense with seven starters back, including quarterback Jacob Zamot (3,158 passing yards, 27 touchdowns in 2022) and playmaker Lotzeir Brooks (1,089 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns in 2022).

First game: Friday vs. Toms River North, at the Battle at the Beach

TRN Nasir Jackson catches pass and runs for the end zone to make it 21-0 at end of first half. Toms River North Football vs Passaic Tech in NJSIAA Group 5 Final in Piscataway, NJ on December 4, 2022.
TRN Nasir Jackson catches pass and runs for the end zone to make it 21-0 at end of first half. Toms River North Football vs Passaic Tech in NJSIAA Group 5 Final in Piscataway, NJ on December 4, 2022.

1. Toms River North

The Mariners, who won the Group 5 state championship and outscored opponents 660-115 last year, return most of their key players. That list starts with All-New Jersey quarterback and Stanford recruit Micah Ford and All-New Jersey offensive tackle and Penn State recruit Jaleyne Matthews. The schedule will be tougher as they move up to the Shore Conference’s top division and they open with Millville, but this team is incredibly talented.

First game: Friday vs. Millville, at the Battle at the Beach

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football rankings: Our first-ever Statewide Public Top 20