The new New Jersey Super Football Conference has changed the landscape of high school football in the Garden State, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the quality of football that will be play in the northern part of the state. On Monday, High School Football America ranked St. Joseph Regional in Montvale and Don Bosco Prep #13 and #16 respectively in its Preseason Top 25.
For those of you unfamiliar with our rankings, this is the fourth straight year that High School Football America will be using its proprietary algorithm to rank teams nationally, regionally and locally. What that means is, our computer does all the work, there’s no opinion involved. Over the past three seasons, our preseason poll included some opinion, but this year marks the first time that our algorithm is completely in-charge of determining our “mythical” national champ from start to finish.
Both schools will play tough non-league schedules this season with SJR opening the season in Southern California in the Honor Bowl against SoCal power Serra (Gardena). While St. Joe is in Cali, Don Bosco will be in Florida taking-on American Heritage (Plantation). Both Serra and American Heritage could find their way into High School Football America’s The Other 25, teams ranked #26 through #50, that will be release on Tuesday at noon Pacific Time.
DBP, led by head coach Greg Toal, who is one win away from 300 career victories, finished #20 in High School Football America’s National Top 25. SJR ended 2015 ranked #35 in the nation.
High School Football America 2016 Preseason Top 25
#1 St. John Bosco Braves (Bellflower, California)
2015: 13-1
Final Ranking: #9
#2 IMG Academy Ascenders (Bradenton, Florida)
2015: 9-0
Final Ranking: #7
#3 Cedar Hill Longhorns (Texas)
2015: 9-2
Final Ranking: Not Ranked
#4 Mater Dei Monarchs (Santa Ana, California)
2015: 10-3
Final Ranking: #37
#5 Bishop Gorman Gaels (Las Vegas, Nevada)
2015: 15-0
Final Ranking: #4
#6 Katy Tigers (Texas)
2015: 16-0
Final Ranking: #3
#7 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
2015: 13-1
Final Ranking: #12
#8 Grayson Rams (Loganville, Georgia)
2015: 13-1
Final Ranking: Not Ranked
#9 Cibolo Steele Knights (Texas)
2015: 14-1
Final Ranking: #31
#10 DeMatha Stags (Hyattsville, Maryland)
2015: 11-1
Final Ranking: #13
#11 Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings (Pennsylvania)
2015: 15-1
Final Ranking: #24
#12 Miami Central Rockets (Florida)
2015: 12-2
Final Ranking: #22
#13 St. Joseph Regional Green Knights (Montvale, NJ)
2015: 7-4
Final Ranking: #35
#14 Allen Eagles (Texas)
2015: 14-1
Final Ranking: #9
#15 Roswell Hornets (Georgia)
2015: 14-1
Final Ranking: #40
#16 Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (Ramsey, New Jersey)
2015: 9-3
Final Ranking: #20
#17 Westlake Chaparrals (Austin, Texas)
2015: 12-2
Final Ranking: #30
#18 Mallard Creek (Charlotte, North Carolina)
2015: 14-2
Final Ranking: #26
#19 Northwestern Trojans (Rock Hill, South Carolina)
2015: 14-1
Final Ranking: #50
#20 Colerain Cardinals (Cincinnati, Ohio)
2015: 12-2
Final Ranking: #18
#21 Lake Travis Cavaliers (Austin, Texas)
2015: 15-1
Final Ranking: #29
#22 Center Grove Trojans (Greenwood, Indiana)
2015: 14-0
Final Ranking: #10
#23 Good Counsel Falcons (Olney, Maryland)
2015: 7-4
Final Ranking: Not Ranked
#24 McGill-Toolen Yellowjackets (Mobile, Alabama)
2015: 13-1
Final Ranking: Not Ranked
#25 Trinity Christian Academy Conquerors (Jacksonville, Florida)
2015: 14-0
Final Ranking: #49