NJ Varsity Top 25: Groups 3, 4 and 5

There are changes again in the Top 5, with Don Bosco and St. Peter's Prep dropping back after their losses. There are also changes throughout the Top 25, with River Dell and Colts Neck dropping out and Sparta, Neptune, and Nottingham moving in, with the last two in a tie at 25.

1 - St. Joe's, Montvale (9-2). Last week: (1). The Green Knights beat Red Bank Catholic, 42-7, beating their opponents, 417-183. They have won 13 state championships in the last 17 years. Their losses were to 11-1 Good Counsel of Maryland and #3 Paramus Catholic. Wins include #6 Bergen Catholic, #7 Don Bosco, #9 St. Peter's Prep, #20 Ramapo, and 6-5 Wayne Hills. This week: #12 Delbarton at Rutgers, Saturday, 1PM.

2 - Elizabeth (10-0-1). Last week: (3). The Minutemen beat Franklin, 24-7, and the opposition has been outscored, 401-101. Wins include 6-5 Franklin a second time, 5-4-1 Union, and 5-5-1 Hunterdon Central. Their tie was with Plainfield, due to Hurricane Sandy. This week: #13 Piscataway at Kean University, Friday 7PM.

3 - Paramus Catholic (9-2). Last week: (5). The Paladins beat St. Peter's Prep, 21-0. Opponents have been outscored, 381-155. Their losses are to #6 Bergen Catholic and #7 Don Bosco, while wins include #1 St. Joe's (Montvale), #12 Delbarton, 8-3 Friendship Academy of Washington DC. This week: #6 Bergen Catholic at the Meadowlands, Friday, 8PM.

4 - Williamstown (11-0). Last week: (6). The Braves beat Atlantic City, 20-12, last week, and have outscored the opposition, 387-113. Wins include #14 Timber Creek, 7-3 Washington Township, 8-3 Kingsway, 7-4 Eastern, 6-4 Cherokee, 6-4 Millville, and 6-5 Shawnee. This week: #17 Southern at Rowan University, Friday, 7PM.

5 - Sayreville (11-0). Last week: (7). The Bombers beat Colonia, 42-0, and outscored opponents, 331-49. Wins include #12 Piscataway, #22 South Brunswick, and 8-3 Old Bridge. They have won state titles the last two years. This week: 8-3 Middletown South at Rutgers, 4PM.

6 - Bergen Catholic (8-3). Last week: (8). The Crusaders beat Don Bosco, 28-14, and outscored the opposition this year, 460-254. Losses are to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale), #7 Don Bosco, and 10-3 Cocoa of Florida. Wins include 13-1 Bishop Gorman of Nevada, 8-3 St. Anthony's of Long Island, and 8-3 Friendship Academy of Washington DC. There have now been eight appearances in the state finals in the last twelve years, winning two. This week: #3 Paramus Catholic at the Meadowlands, Friday, 8PM.

7 - Don Bosco (8-3). Last week: (2). The Ironmen lost to Bergen Catholic, 28-14, and have scored 343 and allowed 156 this year. Their losses were to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale) and 9-2 Gilman of Maryland. Wins include #3 Paramus Catholic, #6 Bergen Catholic, 12-2 St. Thomas Aquinas of Florida, and 9-3 Alta of Utah. They have won the last six state titles and eight of the last eleven. This week: Season is complete.

8 - Manalapan (11-0). Last week: (9). The Braves beat Hunterdon Central, 17-7, and have outscored the opposition, 392-106. Wins include 9-2 Colts Neck, 8-3 Middletown South, and 6-4 Toms River North. Next: #22 South Brunswick, Saturday, 7PM.

9 - St. Peter's Prep (8-2-1). Last week: (4). The Marauders lost to Paramus Catholic, 21-0, and have outscored opponents 375-62. Their other loss is to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale) and wins include 7-3 Union City, 8-2 Seton Hall Prep, and 5-5 North Bergen. Their tie was with Dover, Delaware because of Hurricane Sandy. They have been in state finals four times since 2005, winning one. This week: Season is complete.

10 - Montclair (11-0). Last week: (12). The Mounties beat Ridgewood, 24-0, and have allowed 44 points for the year, scoring 376. Wins include 9-2 Bloomfield, 8-2 Seton Hall Prep, and 5-5 East Orange. This week: 9-2 Bloomfield at the Meadowlands, Saturday, 7PM.

11 - Pascack Valley (11-0). Last week: (13). The Indians beat Wayne Hills, 20-11, and have a cumulative 414-126 for the year. Wins include #20 Ramapo, 7-3 Old Tappan, 6-5 Wayne Hills, and 5-5 DePaul. This week: #18 Roxbury at Kean University, Saturday, 7PM.

12 - Delbarton (10-1). Last week: (14). The Green Wave beat Camden Catholic, 45-6. Opponents have been outscored, 428-127. Their loss is to #3 Paramus Catholic and wins include #18 Roxbury, 8-3 Parsippany Hills, and 7-4 West Morris. This week: #1 St. Joe's (Montvale) at Rutgers, Saturday, 1PM.

13 - Piscataway (8-2-1). Last week: (15). The Chiefs beat Bridgewater-Raritan, 49-0, and have outscored opponents, 307-101. They and won five state titles since 2003 and appearing in their eight final in that time. Their losses are to #5 Sayreville and 8-3 Old Bridge, while wins are over #22 South Brunswick, 6-5 Franklin, and 6-4 Watchung Hills. This week: #2 Elizabeth at Kean University, Friday, 7PM.

14 - Timber Creek (9-2). Last week: (16). The Chargers beat Shawnee, 32-22, and have outscored opponents, 315-126. Losses are to #4 Williamstown and 7-4 Camden Catholic, while wins are over 7-4 Eastern, 6-4 Moorestown, and 5-5 Hammonton. This week: 8-3 Kingsway at Rowan University, Saturday, 7PM.

15 - Red Bank Catholic (10-1). Last week: (10). The Caseys lost to St. Joe's (Montvale), 42-7, and have outscored the opposition, 393-60. Wins include 8-3 Middletown South, 7-3 Rumson-Fair Haven, 6-4 St. John Vianney, and 6-4 Monsignor Donovan. This week: Season is complete.

16 - Delsea (10-1). Last week: (17). The Crusaders beat Bridgeton, 46-0, and opponents have been outscored, 400-149. Their lone loss is to 6-4 Moorestown and wins include 8-3 Kingsway and 5-5 Camden. This week: 7-4 Northern Burlington at Rowan University, Saturday, 4PM.

17 - Southern Regional (9-2). Last week: (18). The Rams beat Eastern, 30-27. They have allowed 152 points and scored 286. Their losses are to #19 Lacey and 6-4 Toms River North, while wins are over 7-3 Washington Township and 5-5 Brick Memorial. This week: #4 Williamstown at Rowan University, Friday, 7PM.

18 - Roxbury (10-1). Last week: (19). The Gaels beat Paramus, 29-12, and have scored 298 points and allowed 116. Their loss is to #12 Delbarton and wins include 8-3 Parsippany Hills, 7-4 West Morris, and 6-4 Randolph. This week: #11 Pascack Valley at Kean University, Saturday, 7PM.

19 - Lacey (10-1). Last week: (11). The Lions lost to Kingsway, 42-28, and have scored 420 for the year and allowed 185. Wins include #17 Southern Regional, 6-4 Toms River North, and 5-5 Brick Memorial. This week: Season is complete.

20 - Ramapo (9-2). Last week: (21). The Raiders beat Lakeland, 35-31, and have outscored opponents 423-127. Losses are to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale) and #11 Pascack Valley. Wins include 7-4 Paramus, 7-3 Ramsey, and 5-5 Bergenfield. This week: #23 Sparta at Kean University, Saturday, 4PM.

21 - Summit (11-0). Last week: (23). The Hilltoppers beat Parsippany Hills, 30-13, and have outscored the opposition, 385-139. Wins include 7-3-1 Cranford, 7-3 Delaware Valley, and 6-4 Johnson. This week: 9-2 Palisades Park at the Meadowlands, Saturday, 4PM.

22 - South Brunswick (9-2). Last week: (25). The Vikings beat Old Bridge, 14-7, and have outscored opponents, 319-201. Losses were to #5 Sayreville and #13 Piscataway, while wins include 8-3 Old Bridge. This week: #8 Manalapan at Rutgers, Saturday, 7PM.

23 - Atlantic City (8-3). Last week: (20). The Vikings lost to Williamstown, 20-12, outscoring opponents, 298-197. Their losses are to 9-1 St. Joe's (Hammonton) and 6-4 Millville. Wins are against 6-4 Absegami, 7-4 Holy Spirit, and 5-5 Hammonton. This week: Season is complete.

24 - Sparta (9-1-1). Last week: Unranked. The Spartans beat River Dell, 36-15, and have outscored the opposition, 356-144. Their lone loss was to 7-3 Pope John, while wins include 10-1 River Dell, 8-2 Mahwah, 6-4 Morris Hills, and 5-5 Mount Olive. This week: #20 Ramapo at Kean University, Saturday, 4PM.

25 (tie) - Nottingham (10-1). Last week: Unranked. The Northstars beat Long Branch, 7-0, and have outscored opponents 301-63, with six shutouts. Their lone loss was to 9-2 Allentown, while wins included 6-4 Notre Dame, 6-4 Hamilton, 5-5 Manasquan, and 5-5 Steinert. This week: #25 (tie) Neptune at College of New Jersey, Saturday, 1PM.

25 (tie) Neptune (9-2). Last week: Unranked. The Scarlet Fliers beat Allentown, 28-21, and have scored 318 points to their opponents 156. Their losses were to 5-5 Brick Memorial and 4-6 Red Bank, while wins include 9-2 Long Branch, 7-3 Lakewood, and 5-4-1 Matawan. This week: #25 (tie) Nottingham at College of New Jersey, Saturday, 1PM.

Honorable Mention: River Dell (10-1), Bloomfield (9-2), Palisades Park (9-2), Colts Neck (9-2), Long Branch (9-2), Colonia (9-2), Allentown (9-2), Lakeland (9-2), Kingsway (8-3), Parsippany Hills (8-3), Old Bridge (8-3), Middletown South (8-3), Burlington Township (8-3), West Essex (8-2), Mahwah (8-2), Seton Hall Prep (8-2), Union Hill (7-3), Ridge (7-3), Washington Township (7-3).

Dropping Out: River Dell (22), Colts Neck (24)

Games to watch:

Many of these teams are in the finals this weekend. Go out and support them.