Essex County 8 football rankings with one week left before the postseason

Robert Aitken Jr., NorthJersey.com

October 18, 2022 at 3:39 PM·3 min read

It's getting to be that time again.

Half of last week's Essex County 8 faced each other last week, setting the stage for the final week of the regular season for the public schools. A total of 10 Essex County schools head into their last game in current playoff positioning, with a few more currently on the outside looking in.

Looking to bolster a resumés, teams across Essex County are preparing for the final opportunity to help decide their postseason fates. Here are the latest Essex County 8 rankings, on the eve of the playoff brackets being finalized.

Playoffs:If the NJ football season ended today, here's how the public playoff brackets would look

8. West Orange (5-2)

Amir Stewart threw for 105 yards and a touchdown as the Mountaineers shut out North Bergen, 42-0. Rayel Hunter rushed for two touchdowns while Saboor Karriem and Terrell Wilfong each found the end zone on their only catches in limited action.

Next game: Friday vs Irvington (6-2)

7. Newark West Side (6-1)

The Roughriders suffered a loss for the first time this season, shut out by Weequahic, 42-0, on Friday. Nasir Smith threw for 106 yards in defeat for Newark West Side. The Roughriders are now ranked 10th in the UPR standings of North Group 2 and will need to move up two spots in order to secure a first-round home game.

Next game: Friday at Snyder (5-2)

6. East Orange (3-4)

Irijah Wright rushed for 143 yards but it was not enough for the Jaguars in a 19-13 loss to Passaic Tech on Saturday. Kyree Fisher threw for 124 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for another score. It was the first time the two teams met since East Orange beat the Bulldogs in the sectional final last season.

Next game: Friday at West Essex (4-3)

5. Cedar Grove (6-2)

The Panthers' six-game winning streak was snapped by Caldwell by the score of 28-7 on Friday. Stephen Paradiso threw for 148 yards and a touchdown to Nick Iannacone. Christian Morrice and Iannacone both hauled in interceptions on defense.

Next game: Friday at Hoboken (2-5)

4. Weequahic (7-0)

Rashawn Marshall rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns as the Indians shut out Newark West Side, 42-0, in a battle of undefeated teams. Tyheed Simmons returned an interception for a touchdown in the win. Weequahic has not allowed any opponent to score more than eight points all season.

Next game: Friday at Immaculata (3-4)

3. Irvington (6-2)

Adon Shuler rushed 10 times for 239 yards and a touchdown as the Blue Knights dominated Livingston on Thursday, 52-7. Shuler was one of three Irvington runners to rush for more than 100 yards as the Irvington offense combined for 566 yards on the ground and all seven touchdowns.

Next game: Friday at West Orange (5-2)

2. Caldwell (7-0)

Joey Marinello rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs defeated Cedar Grove, 28-7, on Friday for their 22nd straight win. Quarterback Louie Anemone rushed 11 times for 74 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-short to put Caldwell on the board in the first quarter.

Next game: Friday at Mountain Lakes (7-0)

1. Seton Hall Prep (4-3)

The Pirates hung tough with top-ranked Don Bosco, but were unable to come back in a 35-21 loss to the Ironmen on Friday. Quarterback Liam Londergan completed 19 of 33 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Seton Hall Prep seeks a win next week to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2020.

Next game: Saturday vs. St. Joseph (Montvale) (3-4)

Also considered: Barringer (4-3), Montclair (3-4), West Essex (3-3)

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ football: Essex County 8 rankings with one week before postseason

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