Top 25: Groups 1 and 2
This week we break the Top 25 into two separate articles; one for the small school Groups 1 and 2, another for the large school Groups 3, 4, and 5.
Five teams lost last week and they either dropped in the Top 25 or dropped out altogether. There are some 2-0 teams not mentioned, yet; but starting next week, all undefeated teams will get at least an Honorable Mention, providing they have three wins.
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1 - St. Joe's, Hammonton (2-0). Last week: (1). Winners of three consecutive state championships, the Wildcats have moved up to the tougher, large school division of the Cape Atlantic League and they haven't had any blowouts, beating Group 5 Absegami and Non-Public Group 2 champion Holy Spirit. This week: at 2-0 Millville.
2 - Madison (2-0). Last week: (2). The Dodgers are the two time defending North Section 2 Group 2 champions. They feature an outstanding backfield, including Rutgers commitment Justin Goodwin and have scored 88 points to date. This week: at 2-0 Hanover Park.
3 - West Deptford (2-0). Last week: (4). The defending South Jersey Group 2 champion Eagles have scored 101 points in their two games and are a perennial power. This week: at 2-0 Haddon Heights.
4 - Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0). Last week: (5). The Bulldogs have impressive wins against #17 Shore in overtime and St. John Vianney. This week: at 2-0 Holmdel.
5 - Caldwell (1-0). Last week: (9). The Chiefs came on like gangbusters in the second half to beat #12 Cedar Grove, 40-12, in what was their season opener. This week: 1-1 West Essex.
6 - Pompton Lakes (2-0). Last week: (7). The defending North 1 Group 1 champion Cardinals have impressive wins over Emerson and Cresskill. This week: at Harrison.
7 - New Providence (2-0). Last week: (10). The Pioneers have 85 points in wins over Brearley and Belvidere. This week: at Dayton.
8 - Penns Grove (1-0). Last week: (11). The Red Devils had a bye after beating #22 Glassboro in the opener. This week: at Salem.
9 - Florence (2-0). Last week: (12). The Flashes scored an impressive win last week over Group 3 Lawrence. This week: Palmyra.
10 - Pennsville (1-0). Last week: (13). The Eagles had a bye after beating Salem. This week: at Highland Regional.
11 - Bernards (2-0). Last week: (14). The Mountaineers have scored 90 points in their opening wins against Dayton and Brearley. This week: at Manville.
12 - Cedar Grove (1-1). Last week: (6). The defending North Section 2 Panthers took a second half beating in last week's loss to #5 Caldwell. This week: at Montclair-Kimberley.
13 - Lenape Valley (2-0). Last week: (15). The Patriots come off a win over Jefferson. This week: Sussex Tech.
14 - Saddle Brook (2-0). Last week: (17). The Falcons haven't been tested yet in their wins over Lodi and Becton. This week: at Waldwick.
15 - Delaware Valley (2-0). Last week: (18). The Terriers just beat a tough Rahway squad. This week: at Voorhees.
16 - Carteret (2-0). Last week: (19). The Ramblers have identical 49-17 wins over St. Joe's (Metuchen) and Raritan. This week: at South Plainfield.
17 - Shore Regional (1-1). Last week: (24). Impressive win over #21 Asbury Park, after tough opening week loss to #4 Rumson-Fair Haven in overtime. This week: at Metuchen.
18 - Mountain Lakes (2-0). Last week: (20). The Herd came back from an early deficit to beat Kinnelon. This week: Pequannock.
19 - Shabazz (2-0). Last week: (25). The Bulldogs have impressive wins over Group 5 Union City and another over Orange. This week: at #24 Verona.
20 - Immaculata (1-1). Last week: (3). Tough loss to Ridge and they have some heavyweights on the schedule. This week: at Ridge.
21 - Asbury Park (1-1). Last week: (8). The defending Central Group 1 champion Blue Bishops were beaten soundly by #17 Shore Regional. This week: bye
22 - Glassboro (0-1). Last week: (23). The defending South Group 1 champion Bulldogs had a bye last week, after losing to #8 Penns Grove. This week: at Woodstown.
23 - Sterling (2-0). Last week: Unranked. The Silver Knights had a quality win over Paulsboro last week. This week: at Haddonfield.
24 - Lincoln (2-0). Last week: Unranked. The Lions have wins over Livingston, a Group 5 school, and Dover in their first two games. This week: at Snyder.
25 - Holy Spirit (0-2). Last week: (22). Two tough losses by a combined nine points to a very good Group 4 Hammonton program in overtime and #1 St. Joe's (Hammonton). This week: Mainland.
Honorable Mention: Paulsboro, Haddonfield, Verona, Point Pleasant Beach, Hoboken
Dropping out of Top 25: Paulsboro (16), Hoboken (21)