North Jersey football: Way-too-early Public Top 20 and Big Six rankings for 2024

We’ve officially closed the book on the 2023 North Jersey high school football season.

Now let’s open the new book.

All throughout state championship weekend, I was already asking my friends and coaches, who you got next year? What do you think?

Part of the fun each year is speculating/guessing/predicting who will be good coming up. I mean, most of us thought Passaic Tech and Westwood would be good in 2023, but what about Lakeland? What about Passaic Valley?

This time last year (almost to the day), we did our way-too-early 2023 rankings. We had Passaic Tech as No. 1 (that was spot on). Northern Highlands as No. 2 (close). We had Westwood as No. 3. I was worried I overrated Clifton and I did. We had Hawthorne at 11, and that was perfect. Looking back, the Bears might have been the second-best Group 1 team in New Jersey. We had Lakeland at 17, which was a good call, but also may just have been the start.

Sure, we missed on some teams too. It wasn’t a great year for Group 5 last year. We will see if that changes.

Now, here’s our first look at our preliminary, way-too-early, North Jersey Top 20 rankings for 2024:

20. Waldwick/Midland Park (7-3)

You don’t often see programs on this list that have a coaching vacancy, but a new coach is walking in to a situation with a great facility, two committed towns and a program that’s had a lot of success.

19. River Dell (3-8)

Hawks coach DJ Nimphius had some injuries early in the season and then decided to go with a youth movement. Zion Yoon looks like he has some potential at quarterback.

18. Butler (9-2)

Butler was right there at the end of the season, and the NJIC title is sitting there for them to take. They have to replace a lot of production though, and with Group 1 schools that can mean a big drop-off.

17. Hackensack (6-5)

Speaking of drop-offs, the Comets lose running back Ayden Jones, but there’s a good vibe around the Comets right now. The program is building and improving.

16. Park Ridge (7-3)

We overlook what a good job Tom Curry Jr. has done with the Owls, but now he has to find a way without two Division I studs in Cole Hughes and Deron McLaughlin. But change can be a good thing.

15. Hasbrouck Heights (7-3)

Does Jake Summers become the Aviators' main offensive weapon in 2024? Is this ranking too high? I don’t think so. With their physical style of play, Heights is set up for a good year.

14. Paramus (6-4)

On this list, you’re always looking for teams with returning quarterbacks and offensive talent. That’s Paramus.

13. Mahwah (6-3)

The T-Birds fizzled out a little bit at the end of 2024 and probably regret that playoff loss to Sussex Tech, but what I see is a team with some pieces back and a lot of motivation.

12. Ramsey (3-6)

Ramsey fell to 3-6 this season, but I think of them just like Mahwah − talented, now with a little more experience and motivation.

11. Clifton (3-7)

The Mustangs just couldn’t get in sync on offense in 2023, and now they'll probably have to make do with a new starting quarterback.

10. Ridgewood (4-5)

When healthy, Ridgewood could play with and beat anybody… but that whole healthy thing. A ton of Maroons got experience in 2023, including running back Colin Burns, who had seven TDs.

9. Lakeland (8-4)

Now we’re talking. The Lancers could have been sectional champs in 2023, and they’re set up nicely for next year with quarterback Collin Sabric and running back Jeremy O’Hernandez. There will be big expectations next year.

8. Wayne Valley (4-6)

This was the best team in North Jersey last year with a losing record, but that’s what happens when you play a schedule that was loaded. The Indians probably need to find a lead running back, but quarterback Danny Ferrauilo can play. The Indians will score.

7. Pascack Valley (6-3)

Valley can win a sectional title next year. They will bring back a quality quarterback in Adam Shaw and running back Kevin Regula. They have to take the step.

6. Old Tappan (9-2)

Every year I totally underrate Old Tappan, and I’m not doing it this time. Yes, I think Pascack Valley is good, but they have to beat the Golden Knights. Old Tappan loses a lot here, and I don’t know how they'll replace some of the production, but you know defensively they’ll be sound. And quarterback Alex Orecchio returns.

5. Westwood (13-0)

Questions here for the defending state champs, namely, who is the QB now? (Sean Morrison?) I know and you know the Cardinals will be good, but as good as they were in 2023? That’s a tall order. It’s also hard to be state champs and take everyone’s best shot each week. Westwood’s road will be harder in 2024. Not impossible, but harder.

4. Rutherford (10-1)

Did I put Westwood and Rutherford right next to each other on purpose? Maybe. What do the Bulldogs do? Do they become Myles Balchan’s team now after his performance as a freshman QB? Does Chris Gioia become a running back? Rutherford reminds me a lot of Westwood, but in 2024, they may be better. (Stress -may- be).

3. Ramapo (12-1)

Let’s see if the 56-0 loss in state final carries over. I don’t think it will, but it is a concern. There will be a battle for the starting QB job, but you know whoever it will be will be good. I said it last year at this time, Ramapo doesn’t rebuild.

2. Passaic Tech (13-1)

Here’s the name to remember: Ian McDuffie, quarterback. Do the Bulldogs roll with him next year as a sophomore? Do they bring him in slowly? I do think the Tech schedule is going to get harder. How does a Ramapo/Passaic Tech game sound?

1. Northern Highlands (9-3)

Admittedly, you could make about seven different teams No. 1 (I toyed with Rutherford as No. 1 because I think they can win Group 2). But Northern Highlands hits all the marks I am looking for.

Elite, returning QB? Check. Nate Johnson can run and throw.

Playmakers on offense? Check. Matthew Boydell and Shane Hanlon are back.

Motivation? Just a last-second pass against Ramapo that was incomplete in sectional final.

Good coach? Yep. Northern Highlands is the early No. 1, but there’s a long way to go.

Also considered: Lyndhurst (4-5), Passaic Valley (7-3), Becton (5-5), Glen Rock (5-5), Dwight Morrow (8-1).

Big Six Rankings

6. St. Peter’s Prep

Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong for the Marauders in 2023. They’re in a bit of a hole now.

5. Paramus Catholic

The one thing about this list is I believe the Paladins do have the right pieces in place. Quarterback Crew Colon can play, but can the Paladins finally break through and win some close games. It comes down to discipline and execution

4. Don Bosco Prep

Some hard truths for the Ironmen. Everyone knew they were going to struggle some in 2023 (at least I did). When you schedule tough, this is what happens, but Don Bosco was maybe a fumbled goal line snap away from beating Delbarton and probably gets back to the state finals. But this offense has to get better. Is a talented rising sophomore class going to be able to contribute right away?

3. DePaul

The Spartans showed flashes of brilliance at times in 2023 and then moments where they made some mistakes. It’s the last high school ride for Dez Jones and Nolan James, but the Spartans have to improve their defense.

2. St. Joseph Regional

We wait for their new coach to be named, and then, you wait to see who transfers in and who may transfer out (let’s be real, its 2023 now). The Green Knights were the only NJ team to play Bergen Catholic within a TD, but they’ll be inexperienced at quarterback, unless, you know, the transfer portal kicks in.

1. Bergen Catholic

I don’t care what they say, it’s going to feel different for Bergen Catholic in 2024. This senior class has a chance to make history by winning four state titles in a row. No Bergen Catholic program has ever done that. It’ll be a lot of pressure, but the Crusaders will start in their usual spot.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey football rankings: Early 2024 Public Top 20 and Big Six