242-386, 3713 yards, 41 TD, 9 Int; 69 carries, 255 yards, 9 TD

13-1 team record
86.86 Strength Index
64.28 Opponents’ Strength Index
#1 seed in North, Group I
Group I finalist

Best game: 22-35, 381 yards, 4 TD, 0 Int in 52-21 victory vs. Butler during state semifinal game

Worst game: 22-43, 212 yards, 1 TD 2 Int; 1 rush TD in 14-56 defeat to Glassboro during state title game

Season Stats: 88-147 (60%), 1330 yards, 19 TD, 4 Int, 2 rush TD

Best Game: 19-26, 372 yards, 4 TD @ Madison

Worst Game: 9-19, 97 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int, 10 rushes, 67 yards, 1 TD vs. Weequahic

Case For:

Case Against:

A player I am very familiar with, Stephen Paradiso Stephen Paradiso 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB/P Cedar Grove | 2025 State NJ started off the 2024 season with yet another impressive September. Stephen has been on my radar for a quite a bit of time, as he has consistently put up some of the most prolific numbers in the entire state year in and year out. In the early part of this season, Stephen did not disappoint one bit as he through for 16 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions. One of my predictions of the offseason was that Cedar Grove was going to be one of the toughest teams to beat in 2024. And after a month of play, that seems to be the case. Stephen’s arm has a lot to do with the continued success of the program. He is a weapon the team can build around, unleashing his aerial assault against vulnerable secondary’s.

A 5’11” QB with a larger frame, Stephen is able to take command of his offensive unit and guide them down the field with ease. There a many traits you could focus in on that sets Stephen apart from others in the state, but what really draws my attention is his football intelligence and arm power. Stephen is able to move through his reads in an unrushed manner, pivoting in the pocket to line up with his target and deliver a strike. Even more impressive, Stephen truly can out throw any coverage. If a DB is caught with his eyes in the backfield you can be sure he will be torching them deep downfield.

  Stephen Paradiso Stephen Paradiso 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB/P Cedar Grove | 2025 State NJ from Cedar Grove, is a 5’11”, 190-pound quarterback with a thick frame. What stands out about Stephen is his aggressive nature and “arm arrogance,” a trait quarterback coaches value for his confidence in making most throws. His tape shows he can fit the ball into tight windows, switching effortlessly between driving the ball and adding touch. Steven throws with anticipation, effectively attacks outside the numbers, and delivers accurate deep balls. Although I’d like to see him make more plays out of structure, he is mobile and uses his frame to gain first downs with good contact balance. I’m eager to see Stephen take the next step in his quarterback evolution during his senior year.

Last but not least we have another one of my favorite quarterbacks in the 2025 in Stephen Paradiso Stephen Paradiso 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB/P Cedar Grove | 2025 State NJ . Putting up some of the most impressive stats last fall (2420 passing yards and 28 touchdowns), Stephen took control of nearly every game Cedar Grove competed in. I don’t know if you’ll find many other QBs in the state that throw the ball as fast as Stephen can. Stephen can put some zip on the ball, and it really stands out with how he can throw it on a line when hitting his guys across the middle. Stephen doesn’t leave defenses many opportunities to find success, as the ball is in his receiver’s hands before they can get in position to knock it down.

The timing and cohesiveness Stephen has with his receivers leads me to believe that they are on the verge of something great in 2024. Cedar Grove is one of my early favorites to make a deep playoff run, and it all centers around Stephen and his playmaking abilities.