NJ’s Top 5 Heading into Week 6

The shortened high school season in New Jersey is entering it’s final week in the upcoming days. The six-week schedule will be completed and teams will move into their variation of a two-week postseason schedule. Thanksgiving games will also be played. As we enter the final week of the regular season, here are the top five teams in the state. <strong>1. St. Peter’s Prep (4-0)</strong> St. Peter’s Prep entered the season as the best team and there is a good chance they finish as the top team. They are a perfect 4-0 and their offense has been clicking since scoring 62 points in the season opener. St. Peter’s Prep is beating teams by an average of 22 points per game. <strong>Offensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="27881" first="Tahj" last="Bullock"] (2021): </strong>No surprise here. Bullock is the top-ranked quarterback in the state. The Virginia Tech product can do it all. He currently has 586 yards and nine passing touchdowns to go along with three scores on the ground. He has yet to turn the ball over this season. <strong>Defensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="27862" first="George" last="Rooks III"] (2021): </strong>Rooks has been a dominant force along the defensive line for the Marauders with a team-leading six sacks. <strong>2. Bergen Catholic (4-0)</strong> Bergen Catholic set the tone for their season with a huge win over St. Joe’s Montvale. They have not been tested since. They are dominant on both sides of the ball and will finish as one of the best in the state. <strong>Offensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="27989" first="Ryan" last="Butler"] (2021): </strong>Butler is a true dual-threat running back. He has carried the ball 77 times for 642 and nine touchdowns. Butler has added 12 catches for 195 yards and two scores. <strong>Defensive MVP: De’Juan Samuels (2023): </strong>On a defense that includes top recruit [player_tooltip player_id="27859" first="Tywone" last="Malone"], Samuels has shined. He leads the team with four sacks and has two forced fumbles on the season. <strong>3. Lenape (4-0</strong> Lenape began the season on fire. They won the first three games of the season by an average of 30 points. They were tested in their most recent matchup but the defense was able to hold up as they took down Shawnee 10-3. <strong>Offensive MVP: Brady Long (2021): </strong>The senior quarterback has yet to turn the ball over for Lenape this season. That is why the offense has been so dynamic. He can make any throw on the field and is smart with the ball in his hands. <strong>Defensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="27951" first="Luke" last="Cole"] (2021): </strong>Cole has emerged as a leader in the middle of the defense for Lenape. The senior leads the team with 46 tackles and also has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. <strong>4. Wall (4-0)</strong> Wall has completely hit their stride on both sides of the ball. After a 55-13 win in the season opener, Wall has not allowed a point over the last three games. They are outscoring opponents by a score of 142-13 this season. <strong>Offensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="27929" first="Casey" last="Larkin"] (2021): </strong>Wall has leaned on their run game with Larkin. He has rushed for 308 yards and seven touchdowns. He has turned into the control of the offense and this is how they have been able to dominate games. <strong>Defensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="28006" first="Charlie" last="Sasso"] (2022): </strong>Sasso is a reliable player in the center of the defense. He leads the team in tackling and forced fumbles. <strong>5. St Joe’s Montvale (3-2)</strong> St. Joe’s Montvale suffered two early losses to St. Peter’s Prep and Bergen Catholic. They rebounded the last two weeks with two victories by a combined score of 78-12. They have some of the best talent in the state. <strong>Offensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="27865" first="Audric" last="Estime"] (2021): </strong>Estime is the top running back in the state and it is not close. The Michigan State commit has rushed for 1,016 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is a power back with elite speed and vision. <strong>Defensive MVP: [player_tooltip player_id="27926" first="Frankie" last="Monte"] (2021): </strong>Monte has been a ball hawk this season. He has 31 tackles with two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He flies to the ball carrier and is a reliable tackler.