Morris/Sussex football: 2 new teams leap into Top 10 rankings after Week 2

Robert Aitken Jr. and Nick Gantaifis, Morristown Daily Record

September 12, 2022 at 9:55 AM·4 min read

The high school football landscape is already starting to take shape in Morris and Sussex counties as we head into mid-September.

There’s already been a shift in the rankings with two teams trading places and two new teams joining the ranks.

All season long, the Daily Record and New Jersey Herald will rank the Top 10 teams in Morris and Sussex counties. Here are the latest rankings after Week 2.

10. Chatham (3-0)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Quarterback, Giovanni Del Re as Chatham football practices this summer in preparation for their upcoming 2022 season in Chatham, NJ on August 16, 2022.

The Cougars crack the Top 10 after winning three straight games and posting 21 points in all three contests. In their latest victory, Chatham nipped Warren Hills, 21-20, in its home opener on Saturday fueled by rushing touchdowns from quarterback Giovanni Del Re and running back Peter Boyd and a touchdown grab by Quinn Allison. Junior Owen Bedell made a game-high 11 tackles.

Up next: Saturday at Morris Hills (0-3)

9. Jefferson (1-1)

Previous ranking: 9

The Falcons rebounded from their season-opening loss with a 34-7 victory over Morris Hills on Saturday. Receiver Travis Osterhout caught five receptions for 150 yards and two touchdown from quarterback Ryan Moran as Jefferson snapped a four-game losing skid to the Knights. Jason Eisele rushed for two touchdowns and had an interception on defense.

Up next: Friday vs. Vernon (1-1)

8. Hanover Park (1-1)

Previous ranking: 8

The Hornets came up short against Madison in a 16-14 setback on Saturday. The loss snapped a five-game win streak to the Dodgers. Quarterback Michael Borrello threw for 229 yards and a touchdown and three interceptions. Frank Spinelli rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown, and receiver Dominic Madera caught eight passes for 104 yards.

Up next: Friday vs. Kittatinny (0-2)

7. Madison (2-0)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

The Dodgers make their debut in the rankings following two straight wins to start the season, highlighted by Saturday’s 16-14 victory at home over Hanover Park. Brayton Boyer was in on all four scoring plays for Madison, connecting on three field goals of 32, 32 and 48 yards, and scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. The win snapped a five-game losing skid to Hanover Park dating back to 2016.

Up next: Saturday vs. No. 5 Mountain Lakes (2-0)

6. Delbarton (0-2)

Previous ranking: 6

Nick Dunneman of Seton Hall Prep catches this long pass in front of Jack Eisenhardt of Delbarton in the first half as Seton Hall Prep played Delbarton in football on October 16, 2021 at Delbarton in Morristown.

The Green Wave played tough against a state-ranked team for the second straight week, this time a 21-6 setback to No. 1 Bergen Catholic on Saturday. Delbarton got within a point of the Crusaders in the third quarter at 7-6 before the Oradell school pulled away. Jack Peros scored all six points for the Green Wave with field goals of 27 and 39 yards.

Up next: Friday at St. Peter’s (2-1)

5. Mountain Lakes (2-0)

Previous ranking: 5

Jimmy Elliot scored three touchdowns on runs of 78, 48 and 45 yards, and Aidan Malnati found the end zone as the Herd rolled past Morris Catholic, 33-14 on Friday in Denville. Mountain Lakes starts a season at 2-0 for the third time in the last four years.

Up next: Saturday at No. 7 Madison (2-0)

4. Randolph (2-0)

Previous ranking: 3

Randolph coach Will Nahan on the sideline during the first half of a football game at West Morris Central High School on October 01, 2021. Alexandra Pais/ For The Daily Record

Jesse Wilfong rushed for 127 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdowns as the Rams put up a huge fourth quarter in a 35-14 win over Roxbury on Friday. Quarterback Sean Clark threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns for Randolph, which begins a season 2-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Up next: Saturday at East Orange (0-2)

3. Sparta (2-0)

Previous ranking: 4

Sparta football at Lakeland on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. S #16 QB Austen Frattura.

Austen Frattura completed 24 of 27 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns as the Spartans defeated Vernon, 35-20, on Friday night. Nick Ryan caught both touchdown passes from Frattura, hauling in eight passes for 101 yards. The Spartans have won 10 of their last 12 games.

Up next: Friday vs. Ramapo (2-0)

2. Newton (2-0)

Previous ranking: 2

#74 Cole Phillips tackles #34 Brayden Nolan after a short gain

Brayden Nolan scored three rushing touchdowns in the first half and Matt May added two as the Braves put up 40-plus points again in Friday’s 48-14 win over Sussex Tech. Newton, which has won 26 of its last 28 games, raced out to a 41-0 lead after three quarters. The Braves' offense has scored at least 28 points in 11 of their last 12 games.

Up next: Saturday at Wallkill Valley (2-0)

1. West Morris (3-0)

Previous ranking: 1

West Morris head coach Kevin Hennelly on the sideline during the first half of a North 1, Group 3 football semifinal at West Morris Central High School on November 12, 2021. Alexandra Pais/ for the Daily Record

The Wolfpack extended their win streak to eight straight, shutting out winless Mount Olive, 28-0, in their home opener on Friday. Stefano Montella rushed for 193 yards and scored two touchdowns to up his season total to 617 yards and six touchdowns in three games. The Chester school has outscored its opponents 77-14.

Up next: Friday vs. Roxbury (0-2)

ALSO CONSIDERED: Morris Knolls (2-0); Hackettstown (2-0); Wallkill Valley (2-0); Montville (2-1)

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ football: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings after Week 2 games

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