2 South Jersey powers join latest New Jersey Super 25 rankings

The high school football season is underway, and two new teams moved into the New Jersey Super 25 rankings after Week 0.

Winslow, which won the Group 4 state championship last year, debuts at No. 17, and Washington Township, last year's Group 5 state champ, breaks in at No. 20. Both South Jersey teams made statements in opening-week wins.

Every week, voters from across USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey will rank the Top 25 teams in the state. The rankings are posted every Tuesday morning.

Several Super 25 teams will play against out-of-state opponents this week, but there are two matchups this week between ranked teams:

• No. 25 Northern Highlands at No. 14 Wayne Hills
• No. 6 Millville at No. 20 Washington Township

Check out the photo gallery, then continue reading.

25. Northern Highlands (0-1)

Public ranking: 14

The Highlanders suffered a 17-14 home loss to then-No. 18 Toms River North after leading 14-0 at halftime. Senior Tucker Kanning rushed for 66 yards and opened the scoring on a 1-yard run. Sophomore QB Jack Branagh threw a 25-yard TD pass to senior Doyle Flatt in the second quarter for the 14-0 lead.

Next game: Sept. 4 at Wayne Hills (1-0)

24. Delbarton (1-0)

Non-public ranking: 11

Gavin Gilardi's two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter fueled the Green Wave to a 21-0 win over Gilman (Md.). Delbarton has won its season opener three times in the last four seasons. 

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Erasmus Hall (N.Y.) (0-1)

23. West Morris (1-0)

Public ranking: 13

Deacon Frayne rushed 28 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-20 win over rival Mendham. The Wolfpack combined for 401 rushing yards and five touchdowns and outscored the Minutemen 35-10 across the final three quarters.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Morristown (0-1)

22. Mount Olive (0-0)

Public ranking: 12

The Marauders were idle during Week 0 and will begin their regular season at home against Randolph. Mount Olive has won this matchup in three straight seasons and scored at least 34 points in all three games.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Randolph (0-1)

21. Camden (0-1)

Public ranking: 11

The Panthers took a one-point lead into the intermission against one of Philadephia’s top teams, but yielded 22 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 29-8 loss to Imhotep Charter. Camden committed four turnovers and was hurt by multiple dropped passes against Imhotep, which was the Pennsylvania’s District 12 6A runner-up last season. The defending state champion Panthers are 0-1 for the first time since 2023.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Holy Spirit (0-1)

20. Washington Township (1-0)

Public ranking: 10

The defending Group 5 state champions marched to their 15th straight win with a 14-6 triumph over Pope John at the Battle at the Beach. The Minutemen scored a pair of touchdowns in the first half and limited their opponents to a pair of field goals in the final 24 minutes. WT’s defense was relentless piling up five sacks, two apiece for Gabe Palaganas and Tyler Alicea, along with two fumble recoveries by Elliott Seibert and Chase Worth.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Millville (1-0)

19. Phillipsburg (1-0)

Public ranking: 9

Dominic Bracco threw a game-winning 57-yard touchdown pass to Blake Paulus with 8:25 left as the Stateliners topped Parkland (Pa.), 28-21. Shane Moore rushed for 135 yards and a TD. Vincent Berger and Elijah Montgomery each added short rushing scores in the win.

Next game: Sept. 4 at Emmaus (Pa.) (0-1)

18. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (0-0)

Non-public ranking: 10

The Falcons open their season this week with returning building blocks on the offensive line and on defense.

Next game: Sept. 5 vs. Bridgewater-Raritan (1-0)

17. Winslow (1-0)

Public ranking: 8

New coach. New quarterback. Same result. The two-time defending state champions put together an impressive performance in a 55-6 victory over Neptune. The high-flying Eagles’ offense piled up 400 yards (241 rushing and 159 passing), finding the end zone seven times. Trey Alexander, a transfer from Williamstown, rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore quarterback Javon Thompson threw for 155 yards and two TDs.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Kingsway (0-1)

16. Toms River North (1-0)

Public ranking: 7

Senior Carter Tamaro kicked a 25-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining to lift the Mariners to a 17-14 win over Northern Highlands. The Mariners rallied from a 14-0 deficit with two third-quarter touchdowns, scoring on a 1-yard run by senior quarterback Cole Garrison and an 86-yard run by senior running back Lucas Elias.

Next game: Sept. 3 vs. Toms River East (1-0)

15. Rancocas Valley (1-0)

Public ranking: 6

The Red Devils opened their season in impressive fashion with a 23-0 win over Wayne Valley in the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City. Quarterback Zach Merhar threw touchdown passes to Malcolm Harrison and Kristofer Oesterle. Merhar finished 12-of-20 passing for 177 yards, including 116 to Harrison.

Next game: Sept. 5 vs. Delsea (1-0)

14. Wayne Hills (1-0)

Public ranking: 5

The Patriots’ trip to Texas was a success with a 41-34 victory over Midland Christian. Junior Ethan Zacharsky rushed for 170 yards and a TD and was among a quartet to run for scores. Senior James Wolf threw for 132 yards and a TD. Senior Chase Canning opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 60-yard interception return.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Northern Highlands (0-1)

13. Donovan Catholic (1-0)

Non-public ranking: 9

The Griffins avenged a season-opening defeat from last season with a resounding 52-7 win over defending South Group 5 sectional champion Kingsway. Senior quarterback Kahden Davis was 15-for-18 for 214 yards with TD passes of 88 yards to Aidan Kelly and 26 yards to T.J. Hunter. He also had a 29-yard TD run. Senior running back Alex Staten ran for 113 yards with TD runs of 7 and 62 yards.

Next game: Sept. 4 at St. John Vianney (1-0)

12. Red Bank Catholic (0-1)

Non-public ranking: 8

The Caseys were defeated 35-28 by two-time defending Non-Public B state champion DePaul. Sophomore running back Gabe Kemp ran for 207 yards on 36 carries, including the TD that gave Red Bank Catholic a 28-27 lead in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Rahmir Rivera threw a 54-yard TD pass to junior Ethan Kennedy and scored on a 21-yard run.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. St. Anthony's (N.Y.) (0-0)

11. Shabazz (1-0)

Public ranking: 4

Karriem Coston ran for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and scored a 2-point conversion, in a 32-19 win over Atlantic City at the Battle of the Beach. Faheem Ausbon scored three touchdowns in the first half to build an 18-12 halftime lead for the Bulldogs. The win marked the first victory in program history over a team from the West Jersey Football League.

Next game: Sept. 4 at Passaic Tech (1-0)

10. Old Tappan (0-0)

Public ranking: 3

The Green Knights begin their season this week. They are capable of reaching the Group 3 state final for the fourth time in five years. The offense is stellar, with senior QB Zach Miceli returning for a third season after leading the team to the 2024 state title and last year’s final. Senior two-way standouts Shane Small and Leo Etter are veteran pass catchers.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Ramapo (1-0)

9. Bergen Catholic (0-1)

Non-public ranking: 7

The Crusaders allowed almost 400 yards of offense in a 45-30 loss to Central Catholic (Pa.). Junior QB Trey Tagliaferri threw for 379 yards, including TD passes to seniors Austin Busso and Anthony Willis, and junior Joseph Garcia. Senior Bryan Porter caught 10 passes for 79 yards. Junior Anthony Cristiano ran for 69 yards and a TD. 

Next game: Sept. 4 at Good Counsel (Md.) (0-1)

8. DePaul (1-0)

Non-public ranking: 6

The Spartans surpassed 400 yards of offense in a 35-28 win over perennial Non-Public B rival Red Bank Catholic. Junior QB Frank Morano threw for 281 yards with TD passes to John Dimitrikiou, junior Avery Cano and senior Aiden Davis. Senior Sean Nevers ran for 95 yards and two TDs for the defending state champions.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. Seton Hall Prep (0-1)

7. St. Augustine (1-0)

Non-public ranking: 5

Bill Belton’s coaching debut with St. Augustine was a rousing success, but it also came with some pain. The head coach tore his left Achilles tendon celebrating a go-ahead touchdown during the Hermits’ 24-20 victory over Archbishop Bonner/Prendergast. Dylan Dellanoce connected with Frank Hoerst on a touchdown pass with 2:58 left in regulation. Dellanoce finished with 129 passing yards and two TDs.

Next game: Sept. 5 vs. Atlantic City (0-1), in Wilmington, Del.

6. Millville (1-0)

Public ranking: 2

The Thunderbolts knocked off one of New York’s toughest teams, Erasmus Hall, with a 29-20 decision in the final game of the Battle at the Beach showcase in Ocean City. Senior quarterback Robert O’Connor threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns on 10-of-17 passing.

Next game: Sept. 4 at Washington Township (1-0)

5. Paramus Catholic (1-0)

Non-public ranking: 4

The Paladins erased a 14-point first-quarter deficit and ran to a 35-14 victory at La Salle (Pa.). Senior Chu Odoh rushed for 183 yards and two TDs. Sophomore QB Walker Snee, a Bergen Catholic transfer, ran for 131 yards and two scores. Junior Rashawn Mangan’s fumble recovery in the end zone tied it, 14-14.

Next game: Sept. 4 vs. St. James (Va.) (1-0)

4. Glassboro (1-0)

Public ranking: 1

The Bulldogs rattled off 19 unanswered points in the second half en route to a 40-20 win over Immaculata. The victory extended the team’s state-best win streak to 28, dating back to the start of the 2024 season. Senior JoJo DeLecce rushed 14 times for 136 yards and two scores, and freshman quarterback Bryson Daniels was sharp in his scholastic debut, completing 9-of-13 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown.

Next game: Sept. 4 at Mainland (1-0)

3. St. Joseph (Montvale) (0-1)

Non-public ranking: 3

The Green Knights’ trip to Illinois ended with a heartbreaking 48-44 loss to Mount Carmel. The defending Non-Public A state champions gave up a 30-0 lead, allowing seven TD passes. Senior Stalin Knowlden caught two TD passes and his 75-yard kickoff return after a safety provided 30-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter.

Next game: Sept. 5 vs. Creekside (Ga.) (0-1)

2. St. Peter's Prep (1-0)

Non-public ranking: 2

The Marauders made coach Ryan O’Flaherty a winner in his debut with a 17-7 victory at Dillard (Fla.). Senior Bryant Isaac threw for 157 yards, including a 17-yard TD pass to junior Amari Jones, and he ran for a score. Junior Bradley Abraham kicked a 25-yard field goal during a 17-point second quarter to cut the deficit to 7-3.

Next game: Sept. 5 vs. St. Thomas More (Conn.) (0-0)

1. Don Bosco (1-0)

Non-public ranking: 1

The Ironmen led from start to finish in a 38-14 home victory over Armwood (Fla.). Junior Ca’Si Thomas rushed for 182 yards and three TDs and turned a screen pass from junior QB Carson Schoen into an 88-yard score. Freshman Davion Mims had two interceptions, including a 55-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter for a 31-14 lead.

Next game: Sept. 4 at Roman Catholic (Pa.) (0-1)

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES (listed alphabetically): Atlantic City (0-1), Burlington Township (0-1), Passaic Tech (1-0), Roxbury (1-0), Rumson-Fair Haven (1-0)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 2 South Jersey powers join latest New Jersey Super 25 rankings