Bergen Catholic solidified its spot atop the High School Football America New Jersey Top 25, powered by NFL Play Football, with a 38-28 defeat of No. 2 Seton Hall Prep. The Crusaders were led by Ryan Butler’s 232 yards rushing with three touchdowns.
The game marked the return of BC head coach Vito Campanile to his old stomping ground. Campanile was the SHP head coach until taking-over at Bergen.
This week, BC will test itself against No. 6 St. Peter’s Prep. Seton Hall Prep, which holds its No. 2 spot, will face No. 4 DePaul Catholic this weekend.
Rumson-Fair Haven strengthened its grip on the No. 11 spot in the statewide rankings with a 12-7 defeat of Middletown South. It was the first loss of the year for the Eagles, who drop two spots to No. 25 this week.
Winslow Township climbs two spots to No. 23 after taking-down former No. 15 Holy Spirit 52-21. The Spartans drop out of the latest rankings.
Hillsborough’s 8-0 start brings the Raiders into our Top 25 for the first-time ever. Hillsborough is ranked No. 21 this week.
Speaking of Raiders, Ramapo suffered its first defeat of the year. Ridgewood’s 47-42 defeat of Ramapo, drops the Raiders from No. 19 to No. 24 this week.
Shawnee dropped its second straight game. The 21-7 loss to No. 8 St. Augustine Prep drops the Renegades one spot to No. 23.
Overall, there are four Top 25 head-to-head matchups this weekend. In addition to Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep and Seton Hall Prep and DePaul, No. 7 Delbarton will take-on No. 15 St. Joseph (Hammonton) and No. 9 Red Bank Catholic vs. No. 16 Donovan Catholic.
High School Football America New Jersey Top 25
| Team | Record | Last Week |
| No. 1 Bergen Catholic | (8-0) | 1 |
| No. 2 Seton Hall Prep | (6-2) | 2 |
| No. 3 Don Bosco Prep | (4-4) | 3 |
| No. 4 DePaul Catholic | (6-2) | 4 |
| No. 5 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) | (5-3) | 5 |
| No. 6 St. Peter’s Prep | (6-2) | 6 |
| No. 7 Delbarton | (4-4) | 7 |
| No. 8 St. Augustine | (7-1) | 8 |
| No. 9 Red Bank Catholic | (8-0) | 9 |
| No. 10 Cedar Creek | (9-0) | 10 |
| No. 11 Rumson-Fair Haven | (6-1) | 11 |
| No. 12 Ocean City | (8-0) | 12 |
| No. 13 Northern Highlands | (8-0) | 13 |
| No. 14 Millville | (6-1) | 14 |
| No. 15 St. Joseph (Hammonton) | (7-2) | 16 |
| No. 16 Donavan Catholic* | (4-4) | 17 |
| No. 17 Union | (7-1) | 18 |
| No. 18 Cherokee | (5-2) | 20 |
| No. 19 Somerville | (6-1) | 21 |
| No. 20 Woodrow Wilson (Camden | (5-2) | 24 |
| No. 21 Hillsborough | (8-0) | NR |
| No. 22 Winslow Township | (6-2) | 25 |
| No. 23 Shawnee | (4-3) | 22 |
| No. 24 Ramapo | (7-1) | 19 |
| No. 25 Middletown South | (6-1) | 23 |
Dropped-out: No. 15 Holy Spirit
* Donovan Catholic forfeited three games due to use of ineligible player
Editor’s Note: The High School Football America national, regional and state rankings are developed using our proprietary algorithm.
