NJ Varsity Top 25: Groups 3, 4 and 5

There are changes in the Top 5, with St. Joe's (Montvale) taking the #1 spot after beating Don Bosco, while Paramus Catholic drops a few spots by losing to Bergen Catholic. Ridge and Washington Township drop out after losing last week. Like in Groups 1 and 2, there promises to be plenty of movement these next two weeks, as the playoff semi-finals and finals are upon us.

1 - St. Joe's, Montvale (8-2). Last week: (4). The Green Knights beat Don Bosco, 20-10, beating their opponents, 375-176. They have won 13 state championships in the last 17 years. Their losses were to 11-1 Good Counsel of Maryland and #5 Paramus Catholic. Wins include #3 Don Bosco, #4 St. Peter's Prep, #8 Bergen Catholic, #21 Ramapo, and 6-4 Wayne Hills. This week: #10 Red Bank Catholic at home, Saturday afternoon.

2 - Don Bosco (8-2). Last week: (1). The Ironmen lost to St. Joe's (Montvale), 42-14, and have scored 329 and allowed 128 this year. Their losses were to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale) and 9-2 Gilman of Maryland. Wins include #5 Paramus Catholic, #8 Bergen Catholic, 11-2 St. Thomas Aquinas of Florida, and 9-3 Alta of Utah. They have won the last six state titles and eight of the last ten. This week: #8 Bergen Catholic at home, Friday night.

3 - Elizabeth (9-0-1). Last week: (2). The Minutemen had a bye week and the opposition has been outscored, 377-94. Wins include 6-4 Franklin, 5-4-1 Union, 5-4-1 Hunterdon Central, and 5-5 Bridgewater-Raritan. Their tie was with Plainfield, due to Hurricane Sandy. This week: 6-4 Franklin at home, Friday night.

4 - St. Peter's Prep (8-1-1). Last week: (5). The Marauders had a bye week and have outscored opponents 375-41. Their lone loss is to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale) and wins include 7-2 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: at #5 Paramus Catholic, Saturday afternoon.

5 - Paramus Catholic (8-2). Last week: (3). The Paladins lost to Bergen Catholic, 49-9. Opponents have been outscored, 360-155. Their losses are to #2 Don Bosco and #8 Bergen Catholic, while wins include #1 St. Joe's (Montvale), #14 Delbarton, 7-3 Friendship Academy of Washington DC. This week: #4 St. Peter's Prep at home, Saturday afternoon.

6 - Williamstown (10-0). Last week: (6). The Braves beat Washington Township, 42-0, last week, and have outscored the opposition, 367-101. Wins include #16 Timber Creek, 7-3 Washington Township, 7-3 Eastern, 7-3 Kingsway, 6-4 Cherokee, 6-4 Shawnee, and 6-4 Millville. This week: #20 Atlantic City at home, Friday night.

7 - Sayreville (10-0). Last week: (7). The Bombers had a bye week and outscored opponents, 289-49. Wins include 7-2-1 Piscataway, 8-2 South Brunswick, and 8-2 Old Bridge. They have won state titles the last two years. This week: 9-1 Colonia at home, Friday night.

8 - Bergen Catholic (7-3). Last week: (8). The Crusaders beat Paramus Catholic, 35-14, and outscored the opposition this year, 432-240. Losses are to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale), #2 Don Bosco, and 10-2 Cocoa of Florida. Wins include 12-1 Bishop Gorman of Nevada, 8-2 St. Anthony's of Long Island, and 7-3 Friendship Academy of Washington DC. There have been seven appearances in the state finals in the last eleven years, winning two. This week: at #2 Don Bosco, Friday night.

9 - Manalapan (10-0). Last week: (9). The Braves beat Marlboro, 51-0, and have outscored the opposition, 375-99. Wins include 9-1 Colts Neck, 7-3 Middletown South, and 6-4 Toms River North. Next: 5-4-1 Hunterdon Central at home, Friday night.

10 - Red Bank Catholic (10-0). Last week: (10). The Caseys beat Rumson-Fair Haven, 54-0, and have outscored the opposition, 351-53. Wins include 7-3 Middletown South, 7-3 Rumson-Fair Haven, 6-4 St. John Vianney, and 6-4 Monsignor Donovan. This week: at #1 St. Joe's (Montvale), Saturday afternoon.

11 - Lacey (10-0). Last week: (11). The Lions had a bye week and have scored 392 for the year and allowed 143. Wins include #18 Southern Regional, 6-4 Toms River North, and 5-5 Brick Memorial. This week: 7-3 Kingsway at home, Saturday afternoon.

12 - Montclair (10-0). Last week: (12). The Mounties beat Bloomfield, 14-7, and have allowed 44 points for the year, scoring 352. Wins include 8-2 Bloomfield, 8-2 Seton Hall Prep, and 5-5 East Orange. This week: 7-3 Ridgewood at home, Saturday afternoon.

13 - Pascack Valley (10-0). Last week: (13). The Indians had a bye week and have a cumulative 394-115 for the year. Wins include #21 Ramapo, 7-3 Old Tappan, 6-4 Wayne Hills, and 5-5 DePaul. This week: 6-4 Wayne Hills at home, Friday night.

14 - Delbarton (9-1). Last week: (14). The Green Wave had a bye week. Opponents have been outscored, 383-121. Their loss is to #5 Paramus Catholic and wins include #19 Roxbury, 8-2 Parsippany Hills, and 6-4 West Morris. This week: 7-3 Camden Catholic at home, Saturday afternoon.

15 - Piscataway (7-2-1). Last week: (15). The Chiefs beat Franklin, 21-12, and have outscored opponents, 258-101 and won five state titles since 2003, appearing in seven finals. Their losses are to #7 Sayreville and 8-2 Old Bridge, while wins are over #25 South Brunswick, 6-4 Franklin, and 6-4 Watchung Hills. This week: 5-5 Bridgewater-Raritan, Friday night.

16 - Timber Creek (8-2). Last week: (16). The Chargers beat Triton, 34-7, and have outscored opponents, 283-104. Losses are to #6 Williamstown and 7-3 Camden Catholic, while wins are over 7-3 Eastern, 6-4 Moorestown, and 5-5 Hammonton. This week: 6-4 Shawnee at home, Friday night.

17 - Delsea (9-1). Last week: (17). The Crusaders had a bye week and opponents have been outscored, 354-149. Their lone loss is to 6-4 Moorestown and wins include 7-3 Kingsway and 5-5 Camden. This week: 6-4 Bridgeton, Friday night.

18 - Southern Regional (8-2). Last week: (18). The Rams beat Central Regional, 35-0. They have allowed 125 points and scored 256. Their losses are to #11 Lacey and 6-4 Toms River North, while wins are over 7-3 Washington Township and 5-5 Brick Memorial. This week: at 7-3 Eastern, Friday night.

19 - Roxbury (9-1). Last week: (19). The Gaels had a bye week and have scored 269 points and allowed 104. Their loss is to #14 Delbarton and wins include 8-2 Parsippany Hills, 6-4 West Morris, and 6-4 Randolph. This week: 7-3 Paramus at home, Friday night.

20 - Atlantic City (8-2). Last week: (20). The Vikings beat Holy Spirit, 13-7, outscoring opponents, 286-177. Their losses are to 8-1 St. Joe's (Hammonton) and 6-4 Millville. Wins are against 6-4 Absegami, 6-4 Holy Spirit, and 5-5 Hammonton. This week: at #6 Williamstown, Friday night.

21 - Ramapo (8-2). Last week: (23). The Raiders had a bye week and have outscored opponents 388-96. Losses are to #1 St. Joe's (Montvale) and #14 Pascack Valley. Wins include 7-3 Paramus, 7-3 Ramsey, and 5-5 Bergenfield. This week: 9-1 Lakeland at home, Friday night.

22 - River Dell (10-0). Last week: (24). The Golden Hawks had a bye week and have outscored opponents, 333-117 this year. Wins include 8-2 Mahwah, 8-2 West Essex, and 7-3 Ramsey. This week: 8-1-1 Sparta at home, Friday night.

23 - Summit (10-0). Last week: (25). The Hilltoppers had a bye week and have outscored the opposition, 355-126. Wins include 7-2-1 Cranford, 7-3 Delaware Valley, and 6-4 Johnson. This week: 8-2 Parsippany Hills at home, Saturday afternoon.

24 - Colts Neck (9-1). Last week: Unranked. The Cougars beat Howell, 48-7, and have outscored the opposition, 328-99. Their loss is to #9 Manalapan, while wins include 7-3 Middletown South, 6-4 St. John Vianney, and 5-5 Steinert. This week: 7-3 Middletown South at home.

25 - South Brunswick (8-2). Last week: Unranked. The Vikings beat North Brunswick, 34-7, and have outscored opponents, 305-194. Losses were to #7 Sayreville and #15 Piscataway, while wins include 8-2 Old Bridge. This week: 8-2 Old Bridge at home.

Honorable Mention: Long Branch (9-1), Colonia (9-1), Allentown (9-1), Lakeland (9-1), Sparta (8-1-1), Nottingham (9-1), Parsippany Hills (8-2), Cranford (7-2-1), Neptune (8-2), Old Bridge (8-2), Burlington Township (8-2), Bloomfield (8-2), West Essex (8-2), Mahwah (8-2), Seton Hall Prep (8-2), Palisades Park (8-2), Camden Catholic (7-3), Union Hill (7-2), Eastern (7-3), Kingsway (7-3), Paramus (7-3).

Dropping Out: Ridge (21), Washington Township (22)

Games to watch:

Almost all the teams are in the playoff semi-finals and most are worth watching.