Way-Too-Early New Jersey High School Football Top 25 Rankings

New Jersey high school football might not get the same fanfare compared to bigger states. Still, the teams in The Garden State deliver compelling matchups to passionate fans. From powerhouse programs to plucky upstarts, here are the top 25 teams in New Jersey high school football entering the 2025 season, according to Massey.

The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

1. Bergen Catholic Crusaders

After losing their 2024 season opener to IMG Academy, the Crusaders rattled off 11 consecutive victories to capture their fourth consecutive New Jersey high school football Non-Public A state championship.

Bergen Catholic’s drive for five starts in their August 28 season opener against Illinois’ East St. Louis Flyers. The Crusaders have some elite defenders in four-star cornerback Jordan Thomas (Ohio State), three-star defensive back Xavier Jackson (North Carolina), and four-star defensive lineman Jermaine Kinsler (Texas A&M).

On the other side of the ball, the Crusaders have wide receivers Bryan Porter and Austin Busso, and interior offensive lineman Jack Harris (James Madison).

2. Don Bosco Prep Ironmen

The Ironmen couldn’t get over the hump against Bergen Catholic, losing to the Crusaders in three of the last four Non-Public A state championship games. However, their 8-4 record is impressive, considering they started the season at 2-3.

Don Bosco Prep will have another shot at the championship, but they must do great in their season opener against Delbarton on August 21. The Ironmen will bank on their offensive leaders, like wide receiver Isaiah Alvarez, tight end JT Geraci, wide receiver Zakai Murphy, and interior lineman Rhett Morris (West Virginia).

Meanwhile, four-star defensive lineman Aidan O’Neil, four-star linebacker Mikahi Allen, three-star edge rusher Robert Ekins, and three-star linebacker Matthew Occhipinti (UCF) will anchor their defense.

3. St. Joseph Regional Green Knights

The Green Knights started the 2024-25 New Jersey high school football season on a high note by winning five of their first seven games. However, they lost three of their last four, including their downfall against Bergen Catholic in the Non-Public A state semifinals.

Despite that ending, St. Joseph Regional will be among the state’s top competitors once again. They will start the 2025-26 season against Maryland’s Riverdale Baptist on August 30. The Green Knights are among New Jersey’s top teams, thanks to four-star edge rusher Chaz Gray, three-star tight end Brady Shust (Wake Forest), safeties Jonathan Galette and KJ McClain (Tennessee), and quarterback Lamar Best (Delaware).

4. DePaul Catholic Spartans

The Spartans finished an 11-1 season to capture the Non-Public B state championship. It’s a seismic improvement from their 6-6 record in 2023-24, and they would have gone undefeated if not for that one-point overtime loss to Delbarton.

DePaul Catholic will start its title defense on August 30 against Pope John XXIII. Four-star quarterback Derek Zammit and three-star lineman Marlen Bright are some of their offensive leaders. Meanwhile, three-star lineman Logan Nagle (Pittsburgh) will dominate opponents from the defensive front.

5. Delbarton Green Wave

The Green Wave earned impressive wins against St. Peter’s Prep and DePaul Catholic during the 2024-25 preliminaries. However, their season ended with a 9-7 loss to St. Augustine Prep in the Non-Public A quarterfinals.

Interior offensive lineman Max Markho will lead Delbarton as they face Don Bosco Prep on August 21 to open their 2025-26 New Jersey high school football campaign. 

6. Hun School
7. Winslow Township
8. Millville
9. St. Augustine Prep
10. St. Peter’s Prep

11. Toms River North
12. Seton Hall Prep
13. Holy Spirit
14. Red Bank Catholic
15. Pope John XXIII

16. Mainland Regional
17. Rumson-Fair Haven
18. Old Tappan
19. Phillipsburg
20. Washington Township

21. Northern Highlands
22. Union City
23. Paramus Catholic
24. Delsea Regional School
25. Camden