New Jersey high school football rankings: Bergen Catholic No. 1 in 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Crusaders are 39-3 since 2021, feature one of the nation's top wide receivers in Quincy Porter.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
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Aug 23, 2024, 10:30am
The high school football season in New Jersey kicks off next week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Three-time defending state champion Bergen Catholic (Oradell) owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Crusaders begin the season ranked No. 19 nationally and will be tested out of the gate as they open the season with a showdown against IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Aug 29. Bergen Catholic 34-2 record during their run to three straight Non-Public A state titles and also went 5-1 during the pandemic-shortened spring 2021 campaign.

Seniors Phoenix-Orion Dicosmo (6-5, 220, DL), Naiim Parrish (5-11, 165, WR/CB, Minnesota), Quincy Porter (6-3, 190, WR, Ohio State) and Chris Vigna (6-5, 295, OL, Rutgers) along with juniors Najee Calhoun (5-10, 190, RB), Jermaine Kinsler (6-7, 260, DL) and Jordan Thomas (6-1, 185, DB) lead the charge for Bergen Catholic.

Porter was named 2023 MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year after tallying 48 receptions for 1,066 yards and 16 touchdowns to guide the Crusaders to the No. 21 spot in the final national rankings.

In addition to Bergen Catholic, defending state champions include Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank) in Non-Public B, Mountain Lakes in Group 1, Westwood (Washington Township) in Group 2, Delsea (Franklinville) in Group 3, Mainland Regional (Linwood) in Group 4 and Toms River North (Toms River) in Group 5.

The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of the Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
Graphic: Ryan Escobar
Graphic: Ryan Escobar
New Jersey Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1. Bergen Catholic (Oradell), 11-1 record in 2023
2. DePaul Catholic (Wayne), 6-6
3. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), 6-4
4. Hun (Princeton), 7-1
5. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 5-6
6. Delbarton (Morristown), 10-2
7. Millville, 10-2
8. Mainland Regional (Linwood), 13-0
9. Winslow Township (Atco), 10-3
10. Donovan Catholic (Toms River), 9-3
11. Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank), 10-1
12. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange), 5-7
13. St. Augustine Prep (Richland), 8-3
14. Toms River North (Toms River), 12-2
15. Delsea (Franklinville), 12-1
16. Pope John XXIII (Sparta), 7-4
17. Phillipsburg, 10-2
18. St. Thomas Aquinas (Edison), 10-1
19. Willingboro, 10-3
20. Washington Township (Sewell), 9-3
21. Point Pleasant Boro (Point Pleasant), 9-2
22. Union City, 10-2
23. Ramapo (Franklin Lakes), 12-1
24. Ridge (Basking Ridge), 8-2
25. Camden, 10-3

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