The 2025 New Jersey high school football season is officially underway, and Week 1 delivered an action-packed slate of games that have already shaken up the preseason landscape. The much-anticipated Battle at the Beach Classic in South Jersey provided some of the state’s most compelling matchups, featuring both local powerhouses and national contenders.

With 23 of the 25 ranked teams taking the field, we now have our first in-season look at the pecking order. Here are the latest New Jersey high school football top 25 rankings for Week 1, with a detailed breakdown of each team’s performance and their next challenge.

Top 25 Teams in New Jersey High School Football

1. Bergen Catholic Crusaders (1-0)

The reigning champions from Oradell proved their grit in a thrilling 22-21 victory over national powerhouse East St. Louis (Ill.) at the Battle at the Beach. Trailing late in the fourth quarter, the Crusaders mounted a comeback fueled by a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and a decisive two-point conversion. Key players: Jordan Thomas (blocked punt), Amar’e Newell (punt return TD), Trey Tagliaferri (QB), and Bryan Porter (WR).

• Up next: Friday at West Boca Raton (Fla.)

2. Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (1-0)

Don Bosco Prep started the season with a strong comeback win, defeating Melissa (TX) 14-10. Sophomore QB Carson Schoen led the charge in the second half, throwing a 62-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Jeremiah Alvarez.

• Up next: Friday vs. Monarch (Fla.)

3. DePaul Catholic Spartans (1-0)

In a dominant performance and Non-Public B championship rematch, DePaul Catholic crushed Pope John 31-3. Quarterback Derek Zammit, a Washington-bound commit, was a standout with two touchdown passes.

• Up next: Friday at Good Counsel (MD.)

4. St. Joseph Regional Green Knights (1-0)

The Green Knights were awarded a 1-0 victory by forfeit but will get their first taste of on-field action this weekend.

• Up next: Saturday at St. John’s College (Washington D.C.)

5. Delbarton Green Wave (0-1)

Delbarton faced a tough opening test, falling to Ohio’s St. Edward 48-28. The team is still adjusting its offense, with quarterbacks Gavin Gilardi and Jayden Schmalz sharing duties.

• Up next: Saturday at Malvern Prep (Pa.)

6. Winslow Eagles (0-1)

The defending Group 4 state champions took on national powerhouse IMG Academy (FL), showing resilience in a 35-14 loss. Junior QB Jalen Parker impressed, accounting for both a passing and rushing touchdown.

• Up next: Thursday at Highland

7. Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs (1-0)

Rumson-Fair Haven’s defense was the star in their 34-0 shutout of Point Pleasant Boro, extending their win streak to 14 games. The Bulldogs’ defense held their opponent to just 125 total yards.

• Up next: Friday at Brick Memorial

8. Rancocas Valley Red Devils (1-0)

Last season’s sectional finalists opened with a decisive 33-14 win over then-No. 16 Millville. Monmouth commit Sayvien Adams was a dual-threat force at quarterback, with both passing and rushing touchdowns.

• Up next: Friday at Pleasantville

9. Hun Raiders (1-1)

The Raiders bounced back from an early-season loss in Ireland to dominate The Pennington School 48-0, led by QB Lukas Prock’s four touchdown passes.

• Up next: Friday at Archbishop Spalding (MD)

10. Pascack Valley Panthers (1-0)

Pascack Valley, the defending sectional champions, started strong with a 42-19 rout of Union City, powered by Michigan State commit Adam Shaw’s 132 rushing yards.

• Up next: Friday at Westwood

11. Glassboro Bulldogs (1-0)

The defending Group 1 state champions extended their win streak to 14 games with a 36-20 win over Haddonfield. Wide receiver Xavier Sabb, the state’s top 2027 recruit, was a standout with two touchdowns.

• Up next: Friday vs. Haddon Heights

12. Old Tappan Golden Knights (1-0)

Old Tappan continued their winning ways from 2024, securing a 34-14 victory over West Essex. The Golden Knights’ offense was balanced, with both passing and rushing touchdowns.

• Up next: Friday vs. Haddon Heights

13. St. Augustine Hermits (1-0)

The Hermits began their season with a solid 24-14 victory over Canton McKinley (OH). Junior RB Roman Coney had a career day with 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

• Up next: Friday at Paul VI

14. St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans (1-0)

After a high-scoring 2024, the Trojans started 2025 in a similar fashion with a 56-3 blowout of Montclair, with QB Zymere Weaver throwing for four touchdowns in the first quarter.

• Up next: Saturday vs. Catholic Memorial (MD)

15. Somerville Pioneers (1-0)

Somerville showed resilience by rallying with 27 unanswered points to defeat Schalick 34-17. Running back Aidan Bush was a key factor with three rushing touchdowns.

• Up next: Friday vs. Cranford

16. St. Peter’s Prep Marauders (1-0)

The Marauders opened their season with a dominant rushing attack, amassing 294 yards on the ground in a 42-26 win over Paramus Catholic.

• Up next: Saturday vs. Union City in Lamar McKnight Classic

17. Washington Township Minutemen (1-0)

The defending Central Jersey Group 5 champions started with a 43-12 win over Hillsborough. Senior QB Cole Aquino had a standout performance, accounting for four total touchdowns.

• Up next: Thursday vs. Pennsauken

18. Red Bank Catholic Caseys (1-0)

Red Bank Catholic made a statement by shutting out then-No. 13 Toms River North 21-0, ending their 19-game win streak. Freshmen QB Rahmir Rivera and RB Gabe Kemp were phenomenal.

• Up next: September 12 at Middletown South

19. Brick Memorial Mustangs (1-0)

With their starting QB out, senior Trey Tallmadge stepped up, leading Brick Memorial to a 35-7 win over Wall with two passing and two rushing touchdowns.

• Up next: Friday vs. Rumson-Fair Haven

20. Northern Highlands Highlanders (1-0)

Northern Highlands secured a 27-12 win over Holy Spirit, led by senior Chase Calarco, who rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

• Up next: Friday at Wayne Valley

21. Toms River North Mariners (0-1)

The Mariners’ state-best 19-game win streak came to an end with a 21-0 loss to Red Bank Catholic. The team struggled with turnovers and a new QB.

• Up next: Friday vs. Toms River East

22. Mainland Regional Mustangs (0-1)

Mainland, a two-time state championship finalist, fell 25-8 to Atlantic City in their season opener.

• Up next: Friday at Hammonton

23. Millville Thunderbolts (0-1)

Millville, coming off a 10-win 2024 season, opened with a 33-14 loss to Rancocas Valley.

• Up next: Friday vs. Atlantic City

24. Paramus Catholic Paladins (0-1)

The Paladins fell to St. Peter’s Prep 42-26, but the offense showed promise with three touchdowns from senior WR Nehki Martin.

• Up next: Friday vs. Pope John

25. Phillipsburg Stateliners (0-0)

Phillipsburg has yet to play their first game. They will rely on returning senior running back Sam Dech to lead the offense this season.

• Up next: Saturday at Westfield

New Jersey High School Football Top 25: Week 1 Table

 

Rank	Team	Record	Next Opponent
1	Bergen Catholic	1-0	at West Boca Raton (Fla.)
2	Don Bosco Prep	1-0	vs. Monarch (Fla.)
3	DePaul Catholic	1-0	at Good Counsel (MD.)
4	St. Joseph Regional	1-0	at St. John’s College (Washington D.C.)
5	Delbarton	0-1	at Malvern Prep (Pa.)
6	Winslow	0-1	at Highland
7	Rumson-Fair Haven	1-0	at Brick Memorial
8	Rancocas Valley	1-0	at Pleasantville
9	Hun	1-1	at Archbishop Spalding (MD)
10	Pascack Valley	1-0	at Westwood
11	Glassboro	1-0	vs. Haddon Heights
12	Old Tappan	1-0	vs. Haddon Heights
13	St. Augustine	1-0	at Paul VI
14	St. Thomas Aquinas	1-0	vs. Catholic Memorial (MD)
15	Somerville	1-0	vs. Cranford
16	St. Peter’s Prep	1-0	vs. Union City
17	Washington Township	1-0	vs. Pennsauken
18	Red Bank Catholic	1-0	at Middletown South
19	Brick Memorial	1-0	vs. Rumson-Fair Haven
20	Northern Highlands	1-0	at Wayne Valley
21	Toms River North	0-1	vs. Toms River East
22	Mainland Regional	0-1	at Hammonton
23	Millville	0-1	vs. Atlantic City
24	Paramus Catholic	0-1	vs. Pope John
25	Phillipsburg	0-0	at Westfield