NJ Varsity Top 25: Groups 1 and 2

Two teams exited the Top 25: Rumson-Fair Haven and Butler. I had 27 teams in the Top 25 last week, with Hoboken, Shabazz, and Weequahic in a three way tie at 25. This week, they're still in a three way tie, but now they're at 23. All three teams won, including Weequahic beating then #13 Rumson-Fair Haven. Weequahic will play Shabazz Thursday morning.

Just remember, if you don't like where you're ranked, it's only a poll and there are far more important things in life than where you're ranked.

1 - St. Joe's, Hammonton (8-0). Last week: (1). The Wildcats had a bye week and have outscored opponents, 240-93, playing a tough, big school schedule. They have posted three shutouts against large school competition, won three consecutive state titles and have a 26 game winning streak. This week: at 4-5 Hammonton, Wednesday night.

2 - Madison (9-0). Last week: (2). The Dodgers beat Hanover Park, 57-20, and have outscored opponents 428-88. They have won two consecutive sectional titles and have won 35 straight. This week: 4-5 Millburn at home, Thursday morning.

3 - West Deptford (9-0). Last week: (3). The Eagles beat Sterling, 31-7, and have outscored opponents 394-117. They have won five sectional titles since 2002 and appeared in eight finals in that time. This week: 7-2 Paulsboro at home, Friday night.

4 - Pompton Lakes (10-0). Last week: (4). The Cardinals beat Verona, 27-16 after trailing at the half, 10-0. They have outscored opponents, 426-46. They won a sectional last year and have won three of the four finals they have appeared in since 1997. This week: Bye week.

5 - Penns Grove (9-0). Last week: (5). The Red Devils posted their seventh shutout this year against Audubon, winning 64-0, and have outscored the opposition, 472-26. This week: 4-5 Pennsville at home, Thursday morning.

6 - Bernards (9-0). Last week: (6). The Mountaineers beat Lenape Valley, 26-20, and have outscored opponents, 372-114. This week: 6-3 Delaware Valley at home, Wednesday night.

7 - Immaculata (9-1). Last week: (7). The Spartans beat Gloucester Catholic, 47-6. They have outscored opponents, 286-119, playing a large school schedule. This week: Bye week.

8 - Caldwell (7-1). Last week: (8). The Chiefs beat Lincoln in overtime, 34-28. They have outscored opponents 321-124 and have won three sectionals since 1997. They appeared in four finals plus four more semi-finals. This week: at 5-4 Verona, Thursday morning.

9 - Cedar Grove (9-1). Last week: (9). The Panthers beat Belvidere, 41-14. They outscored opponents, 341-167. They have won five sectionals since 2000, appearing in six. This week: Bye week.

10 - Glassboro (8-1). Last week: (10). The Bulldogs beat Pennsville, 42-6, outscoring the opposition, 363-108. They have won the last two sectional titles and four of the last five, plus three more finals appearances since 2000. This week: 4-5 Deptford at home, Thursday morning.

11 - Shore Regional (8-1). Last week: (11). The Blue Devils beat Keansburg, 48-12, and have outscored opponents, 330-89. They won a sectional title in 2010. This week: at #14 Point Pleasant Beach, Thursday morning.

12 - Carteret (9-0). Last week: (12). The Ramblers beat Johnson, 24-21, and have outscored opponents, 330-118, winning a sectional in 2007. This week: at 0-9 Perth Amboy, Thursday morning.

13 - Mountain Lakes (10-0). Last week: (14). The Herd beat Rutherford, 28-7, and they have outscored opponents, 368-130. They have won three sectionals since 2002, appearing in five finals. This week: Bye week.

14 - Point Pleasant Beach (9-0). Last week: (15). The Gulls beat South River, 44-6, and have outscored opponents 404-97. This week: #11 Shore Regional at home, Thursday morning.

15 - Delran (9-0). Last week: (17). The Bears beat Bordentown, 44-13, and have outscored opponents, 258-113. This week: at 5-4 Cinnaminson, Wednesday night.

16 - Woodbury (8-1). Last week: (18). The Thundering Herd beat Wildwood, 49-0, outscoring opponents 312-97. They have had three finals appearances since 1998, winning two, including 2009. This week: 0-9 Gateway at home, Thursday morning.

17 - Lenape Valley (8-2). Last week: (16). The Patriots lost to Bernards, 26-20. They outscored opponents, 301-144. This week: Season is complete.

18 - St. Mary's (10-0). Last week: (19). The Gaels beat Mater Dei, 41-14, and have scored 430 points this year, allowing 122. They won a sectional in 2006. This week: Bye week.

19 - Florence (8-1). Last week: (20). The Flashes beat Keyport, 40-29, outscoring opponents, 271-89. They were in the finals last year and have won four sectionals from 2003-2006. This week: at 0-9 Riverside, Thursday morning.

20 - Cedar Creek (9-0). Last week: (21). The Pirates beat Cinnaminson, 34-7, and outscored the opposition, 362-65. This week: 7-2 St. Augustine at home, Thursday morning.

21 - Hasbrouck Heights (8-2). Last week: (23). The Aviators beat Butler, 34-13. Opponents have been outscored 301-155. They have won two sectional titles since 1994 and appeared in four finals. This week: Bye week.

22 - Saddle Brook (9-1). Last week: (24). The Falcons beat Cresskill, 40-14, outscoring opponents, 339-135. This week: Bye week.

23 (tie) - Hoboken (8-2). Last week: (25-tie). The Red Wings beat Dayton, 51-14 and are five points away from being undefeated. The scored 338 points and allowed 98. This week: Bye week.

23 (tie) - Shabazz (7-2). Last week: (25-tie). The Bulldogs beat Delaware Valley, 34-22, and are five points away from being undefeated. They scored 280 points for the year and allowed 155. This week: at #23 (tie) Weequahic, Thursday morning.

23 (tie) - Weequahic (7-2). Last week: (25-tie). The Indians beat Rumson-Fair Haven, 13-10, and are four points away from being undefeated. They scored 285 points for the year and allowed 111. This week: #23 Shabazz at home, Thursday morning.

Honorable Mention: Rumson-Fair Haven (7-2), Butler (8-2), Paulsboro (7-2), St. Anthony (8-2), North Warren (8-2), New Milford (8-2), New Providence (7-2), Roselle Park (7-2), Elmwood Park (8-2), Gloucester City (7-2), Asbury Park (6-2-1), Dunellen (7-2), Holy Spirit (6-3), Haddonfield (6-3), Delaware Valley (6-3), Lincoln (7-3), Woodstown (6-3), Willingboro (6-3), Haddon Heights (6-3),

Dropping out of Top 25: Rumson-Fair Haven (13), Butler (22)

Games to watch:

#11 Shore Regional at #14 Point Pleasant Beach, Thursday morning.

#23 (tie) Shabazz at #23 (tie) Weequahic, Thursday morning.

7-2 Paulsboro at #3 West Deptford, Friday night.

6-3 Delaware Valley at #6 Bernards, Wednesday night.

7-2 St. Augustine at #20 Cedar Creek, Thursday morning.

4-5 Hammonton at #1 St. Joe's (Hammonton), Wednesday night.

4-5 Pennsville at #5 Penns Grove, Thursday morning/

5-4 Verona at #8 Caldwell, Thursday morning.

5-4 Cinnaminson at #15 Delran, Wednesday night.