A breakdown of every Top 20 game.
NJ.COM TOP 20 PICKS
WEEK 1
St. John’s (D.C.) (2-0) at No. 1 St. Joseph (Mont.) (1-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
A win will vault the Green Knights into the national Top 25, but New Jersey’s newly appointed top-ranked team will have its hands full. St. John’s boasts a bevy of Division 1-bound players including Texas A&M-bound DE Tyree Johnson, two players headed to Maryland and five-star OT Calvin Ashley, an Auburn commit. St. Joe’s needs its pass rush to be aggressive and its offense to play mistake free in a game that could come down to the last play. St. Joseph 21, St. John’s 20
Tampa Catholic (Fla.) (0-0) at No. 4 Bergen Catholic (1-0)
Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
BC’s season-opening win against Archbishop Wood was a great learning experience for a team that only returned six starters. While they’re young, they’re talented, and Bergen Catholic should have no problem moving to 2-0 against a team ranked 36th in Florida. Bergen Catholic 34, Tampa Catholic 10
No. 5 Middletown South (0-0) at Red Bank Catholic (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The assembly line continues at Middletown South where the Eagles will have new faces in key starting spots, but that same old dominating look. Kevin Higgins leads a solid defensive unit. RBC plays its first game under Frank Edgerly, who returns to his alma mater after a stint in the NFL. RBC is young but massive up front. Middletown South 21, Red Bank Catholic 7
No. 14 DePaul (1-0) at No. 6 Paramus Catholic (1-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
This here is a showdown for two North Jersey elites. Paramus Catholic cruised to a big win over St. Frances last week, while DePaul did not play. The Spartans kick off the season Friday night, but will do so at a tough venue. PC's offense looked sharp with QB Andrew Brito leading the way and it'll be tough for DePaul to contain the Paladins. Paramus Catholic 28, DePaul 17
Southern (0-1) at No. 7 Toms River North (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Toms River North has been a slow starter in recently seasons, but North’s speed and versatility on offense should be at warp speed early in this one. QB Mike Husni is a four-year starter, he has a 240-pound tailback and two big-time wide receivers. Toms River North 28, Southern 7
Atlantic City (0-1) at No. 8 St. Augustine (1-0)
Friday, 6 p.m.
The Hermits opened the season with a nice win over one of Southeastern Pa’s top teams in Malvern Prep. Kyle Dobbins and True Robinson combined for nearly 400 rushing yards against the Friars. St. Augustine should have too much firepower for the Vikings. St. Augustine 42, Atlantic City 13
No. 9 Phillipsburg (0-0) at Franklin (0-0)
Friday at 7 pm.
The Frank Duffy era begins for the Stateliners, with the first-year head coach taking the sidelines on the road. With running back JaQuan Jones and quarterback Danny Fisher back from last season, Phillipsburg is in position to start of the season right. Phillipsburg 35, Franklin 14
No. 16 Ramapo (0-0) at No. 10 Wayne Hills (1-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The 49th showdown between these two public school rivals should be a great one. Last year, Ramapo had one of the best offenses in the state with playmakers at every position. That sounds an awful lot like this year’s Wayne Hills team that has three Division 1-bound players at WR and a 1,200-yard back in Luca Gravé. The NJ.com/Star-Ledger Game of the Week will live up to the billing but give the edge to the home team. Wayne Hills 30, Ramapo 21
Raritan (0-0) at No. 11 Rumson-Fair Haven (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
This game features the reigning Central Jersey Group 2 champ and the CJ 3 champion. Jerry Schulte makes his return to the head coaching ranks after being elevated from defensive coordinator. There will be few changes for the Purple Bulldogs, who will put the ball in the hands of three-year starting QB Mike O’Connor and let him make plays. Raritan made a memorable march to the sectional title last season, but Rumson-Fair Haven has a little too much in the season opener. Rumson-Fair Haven 28, Raritan 13
No. 12 Timber Creek (0-0) at Delsea (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
A matchup between the defending South Jersey Group 3 and Group 4 champions highlights the opening night slate in New Jersey. Quarterback Devin Leary leads the Chargers’ potent passing attack, while the Crusaders will lean on fullback Rashaad Williams and a bruising running game. Last year, the Crusaders won, 35-31. Can this rematch live up to last year’s epic? Timber Creek 27, Delsea 24
Old Bridge (0-0) at No. 13 South Brunswick (0-0)
Friday at 7 p.m.
Two of the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference face off in a rematch of last season's Central Jersey, Group 5 final that South Brunswick won. Quarterback Josh Liao and wide receiver Justin Shorter give the Vikings a potent offensive attack, while Old Bridge quarterback Artur Sitkowski is explosive in his own right. South Brunswick 35, Old Bridge 21
No. 15 Cedar Creek (0-0) at Absegami (0-0)
Friday, 6 p.m.
The Pirates arrived as a program last year, knocking off Haddonfield and West Deptford on the way to its first sectional championship. Can they back it up? With state Player of the Year candidate Bo Melton, fourth-year starting quarterback Jesse Milza, Rutgers-bound lineman Owen Bowles and more we think so. Cedar Creek 38, Absegami 7
Shawnee (0-0) at No. 17 Cherokee (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
It’s a battle between a pair of the top programs in South Jersey. Last year, QB Mike Welsh and the Renegades dominated the Chiefs. Welsh is gone and Shawnee could be rebuilding a bit, while the Chiefs seem primed for a run at the South Jersey Group 5 title behind Rutgers-bound running back John Lovett. Cherokee 24, Shawnee 14
Somerville (0-0) at No. 18 Cranford (0-0)
Friday at 7 p.m.
The Cougars begin their North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 title defense against a team it beat convincingly last season. The big question for Cranford this season is how they'll replace quarterback Jack Schetelich. But even without him, the Cougars have the edge in this one. Cranford 28, Somerville
Blair at No. 20 Pope John
Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Lions and its tenacious defense are ready to hit the turf. Pope John's strong D features national recruit Dalyn Wade-Perry. With the defense strong and the offense ready to roll, they'll be tough to bring down. Pope John 35, Blair 21
Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.