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football Edit

NJ Varsity Final Top 25: Groups 1 and 2

The Top 5 remains the same and there is movement up and down at 6-25, as expected. When possible, I gave teams that won sectional and state championships the edge. Holy Spirit and Kinnelon enter the Top 25, while Hasbrouck Heights, New Milford, and Roselle Park leave.
1 - Madison (12-0). Last week: (1). The Dodgers beat Mountain Lakes, 13-0, and have outscored opponents 564-130. They have won three consecutive sectional titles and have won 37 straight. Wins also include #16 Bernards, # 17 Lenape Valley, 6-4 Hanover Park, and 6-4 Jefferson.
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2 - St. Joe's, Hammonton (10-1). Last week: (2). The Wildcats beat St. Mary's, 36-0, and have outscored opponents, 354-107, playing a tough, big school schedule. They have posted five shutouts and won four consecutive state titles. Overall, they have won 22 state titles, including 19 of the last 24 years. Hammonton is their only loss, while wins include 8-3 Atlantic City, 8-2 St. Augustine, 6-4 Millville, 6-4 Absegami, and 7-4 Holy Spirit.
3 - West Deptford (12-0). Last week: (3). The Eagles beat Cedar Creek, 42-28, and have outscored opponents 492-172. They is their sixth sectional title since 2002, including the last two. Championships were in 2012, 2011, 2007, 2004, 2003, and 2002. Losses in the finals were in 2010, 2008, and 2006. The other two years, 2009 and 2005, they appeared in the semi-finals. Wins include #9 Woodbury, 7-4 Woodstown, 7-4 Paulsboro, and 6-4 Haddonfield.
4 - Penns Grove (12-0). Last week: (4). The Red Devils beat Paulsboro, 30-14 and have outscored the opposition, 621-46, including eight shutouts. They may be the first team in New Jersey to ever score 600 points in one season. Since 2006, they appeared in one other final and two semi-finals. Wins include #13 Glassboro, 7-4 Paulsboro, and 7-4 Woodstown.
5 - Pompton Lakes (12-0). Last week: (4). The Cardinals beat Cedar Grove, 28-13, and have outscored opponents, 493-90. This is their second consecutive sectional title and in the last 20 years, they won titles in 2012, 2011, 2005, and 1997; made the finals in 2000 and 1993; and were semi-finalists in 1998. Wins include #24 Saddle Brook, 8-3 Hasbrouck Heights, 9-3 New Milford, and 5-5 Verona.
6 - Carteret (12-0). Last week: (8). The Ramblers beat Weequahic, 13-12, and have outscored opponents, 404-144, winning their second sectional title in six years: 2012 and 2007. In the last 20 years, they won a title in 1996, were in the finals in 2004, and the semi-finals in 2010, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995, and 1994. Wins include 9-2 Colonia, 7-4 Shabazz, Group 4 Woodbridge, and 6-4 Johnson.
7 - Florence (11-1). Last week: (11). The Flashes beat Shore Regional in overtime, 23-17, outscoring opponents, 359-132. In the last 20 years, they also won titles in 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2003. They appeared in the finals in 2011, 2002, 1999, 1994, and 1993; with semi-final appearances in 1998 and 1995. Their loss is to #25 Delran and wins include #14 Point Pleasant Beach, 6-4 New Egypt and 6-4 Maple Shade.
8 - Mountain Lakes (11-1). Last week: (9). The Herd lost to Madison, 13-0, and they have outscored opponents, 394-163. They have won three sectionals since 2002: 2009, 2008, and 2002. In the last 20 years, they appeared in the final in 2010, 2006, 1997, and 1991; and appeared in the semi-finals in 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, and 1993. Wins include #22 Kinnelon, 8-2 Butler, and 8-3 North Warren.
9 - Woodbury (10-2). Last week: (10). The Thundering Herd lost to Penns Grove, 30-14, outscoring opponents 398-140. In the last 20 years, they were state champs in 2009 and 1998 - state finalists in 2012, 2003 and 1997, and semi-finalists in 2010, 2007, 2006, 2001, 1999, and 1996. Their other loss is to #3 West Deptford and wins include #13 Glassboro, 7-4 Paulsboro and 6-4 Haddonfield.
10 - Cedar Grove (10-2). Last week: (7). The Panthers lost to Pompton Lakes, 28-13, and have outscored opponents, 381-219. In the last 20 years, they won titles in 2011, 2009, 2007, 2004, and 2000; were finalists in 2012 and 2001; and semi-finalists in 2006, 2002, 1999, 1997, 1994, and 1993. Their lone loss is to #12 Caldwell and wins include #18 Weequahic, 8-3 Hasbrouck Heights, 7-4 Shabazz, and 5-5 Verona.
11 - Hoboken (10-2). Last week: (20). The Red Wings beat Roselle Park, 39-9, and are five points away from being undefeated. They scored 412 points and allowed 107.
In the last 20 years, they won titles in 2005, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, and 1994 (the last five in Group 3); finalists in 2008, 2004, 2002, 1997 (the last one as Group 3), and semi-finalists in 2006, 2003, 2000, and 1993 (the last two as Group 3). Losses were to 5-5 Verona and Group 5 Union City, while wins include 8-3 Dunellen, 8-3 St. Anthony, 7-3 Lincoln, and 6-4 Jefferson.
12 - Caldwell (9-2). Last week: (12). The Chiefs outscored opponents 373-179 and won sectionals in 2008, 1998, and 1997; finalists in 2010 and 2004; and semi-finalists in 2012, 2011, 2009, 2001, 1995, and 1994. Their losses were to #8 Mountain Lakes and Group 3 West Essex, with wins including #10 Cedar Grove, 7-3 Lincoln, and 5-5 Verona.
13 - Glassboro (9-2). Last week: (13). The Bulldogs outscored the opposition, 424-134. They won titles in 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, and 1999; finalists in 2009, 2006, 2005, 2000, 1998, and 1996; and semi-finalists in 2003, 2001, 1997, and 1995. Their lone loss was to #4 Penns Grove and wins include 7-4 Woodstown and 7-3 Gloucester City. This week: Season is complete.
14 - Point Pleasant Beach (10-1). Last week: (14). The Gulls outscored opponents 437-121 and appeared in last year's semi-finals. Their loss was to #7 Florence in the semi-finals and wins include #23 Shore Regional, 8-3 Dunellen, and 6-4-1 Asbury Park.
15 - Holy Spirit (8-4). Last week: Unranked. The Spartans beat Immaculata, 30-6, and outscored the opposition, 279-110, playing a large school schedule. They won titles in 2011, 2010, and 2007, while being semi-finalists in 2009, 2006, and 2003. Losses were to #2 St. Joe's (Hammonton), 8-3 Atlantic City, 6-4 Millville, and 5-5 Hammonton, with wins including 6-4 Absegami, 4-6 Egg Harbor, and 4-6 Mainland.
16 - Bernards (9-2). Last week: (20). The Mountaineers outscored opponents, 400-186. Their losses were to #1 Madison and 7-3 Delaware Valley, with wins coming against #17 Lenape Valley, 9-3 Roselle Park, and 8-3 New Providence.
17 - Lenape Valley (8-2). Last week: (16). The Patriots outscored opponents, 301-144.
In the last years, they won titles in 1999 and 1993, while appearing in finals in 2004, 1996 and 1994; and semi-finalists in in 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, and 1998. Losses were close games to #1 Madison and #17 Bernards. Wins included 6-4 Hanover Park and 6-4 Jefferson.
18 - Weequahic (9-3). Last week: (18). The Indians lost to Carteret, 13-12, and were five points away from being undefeated. They scored 355 points for the year and allowed 131. They won a state title in 2006, with appearances in 2012 and 2011. Losses were to #10 Cedar Grove and Group 4 West Milford. Wins include #25 Delran, 7-4 Shabazz, 7-3 Rumson-Fair Haven, and 5-5 Verona.
19 - Immaculata (10-2). Last week: (6). The Spartans lost to Holy Spirit, 30-6, and have outscored opponents, 341-156, playing a large school schedule. Since 2003, they won titles in 2006 and 1994, with finals appearances in 2012, 2009, 2008, and 2007; with semi-final appearances in 2011 and 2005. Their other loss was to Ridge and wins include 6-5 Franklin, 5-5-1 Hunterdon Central, and 6-4 Watchung Hills.
20 - St. Mary's (11-1). Last week: (17). The Gaels lost to St. Joe's (Hammonton), 36-0, and have scored 472 points this year, allowing 165. In the last 20 years, they won a sectional in 2006; appeared in the finals in 2012, 2011. 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2000, 1997, and 1995; and were semi-finalists in 2007, 2004, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1996, and 1994. Wins included 7-3 Weehawken and 6-4 Cresskill.
21 - Cedar Creek (10-2). Last week: (19). The Pirates lost to Wes Deptford, 42-28, and outscored the opposition, 471-151. This is only their second year as a varsity program. St. Augustine is their lone loss and wins include 6-5 Willingboro, 6-5 Bridgeton and 6-4 Middle Township.
22 - Kinnelon (9-3). Last week: Unranked. The Colts beat New Milford, 26-14, and outscored the opposition, 345-234. This was the first sectional title in the history of Kinnelon football. Losses were to #8 Mountain Lakes, 8-3 North Warren, and 8-2 Butler while wins included 8-2 Elmwood Park and 8-3 North Warren.
23 - Shore Regional (9-3). Last week: (15). The Blue Devils lost to Florence in overtime, 23-17, and have outscored opponents, 385-138. They won a sectional title in 2010 and five in their history, including 1997. Their other losses are to #14 Point Pleasant Beach and 7-3 Rumson-Fair Haven. Wins include 6-4-1 Asbury Park twice and 6-4 Keyport.
24 - Saddle Brook (9-2). Last week: (21). The Falcons outscored opponents, 372-174.
Their losses were to #5 Pompton Lakes and 8-3 Hasbrouck Heights and wins included 9-3 New Milford and 9-3 Palisades Park.
25 - Delran (9-2). Last week: (21). The Bears outscored opponents, 279-155. They have four state titles in their history. Their losses were to #18 Weequahic and 6-4 Cinnaminson. Wins include #11 Florence, 6-5 Willingboro, and 5-5 Holy Cross.
Honorable Mention: New Milford (9-3), Roselle Park (9-3), Hasbrouck Heights (8-3), St. Anthony (8-3), North Warren (8-3), New Providence (8-3), Dunellen (8-3), Butler (8-2), Elmwood Park (8-2), Rumson-Fair Haven (7-3), Delaware Valley (7-3), Lincoln (7-3), Haddon Heights (7-3), Gloucester City (7-3).
Dropping out of Top 25: Hasbrouck Heights (24), New Milford (25-tie), Roselle Park (25-tie)
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