Football: Expanded Top 25 Breakdowns

1. Paramus Catholic (8-0)
Last week: Beat DePaul 41-20
Breakdown: The Paladins earned a share of the Big North United Division for the first time in program history with their win over the Spartans. Now they’ll try to claim the title outright against St. Joseph. Paramus Catholic has never beat Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic, DePaul and the Green Knights in the same year. But its favored to do just that and finish the regular season undefeated. QB Willy Hansen has been on fire the last three games, throwing for 10 TD’s and running for another. TE Mark Michaud has emerged as a real threat (3 TD last two games) to go along with standout WR’s Donald Stewart, Najee Clayton and Marquis Spence. RB Ahmad Thomas remains the workhorse out of the backfield. The defense, meanwhile, continues shutting down the run, pressuring the opposing QB and causing turnovers. That’s been a recipe of success they’ll try to keep going.
Next: at St. Joseph, Saturday

2. Bergen Catholic (6-2)
Last week: Did not play
Breakdown: After playing eight straight weeks to open the year — many of which included down-to-the-wire thrillers — the Crusaders had a much-needed bye week before their matchup with Ridgewood on Friday.
Next: at Ridgewood, Friday

3. Don Bosco (5-2)
Last week: Beat Eastside, 56-6
Breakdown: The Ironmen bounced back from their 10-3 loss against Bergen Catholic with a 50-point win over Eastside. Don Bosco led 35-6 at halftime, getting a 63-yard touchdown run from RJ Trimble-Edwards, three rushing touchdowns from Wes McKoy (2 yards), Peter Esposito (1 yard) and Malik Bakker (28 yards) and one 22-yard touchdown reception from Brian Meerholz. Sophomore QB Tom DeVito threw a pair of touchdown passes in the second half.
Next: vs. DePaul, Friday

4. St. Joseph (5-2) 
Last week: Beat Wayne Hills, 42-15
Breakdown: The Green Knights appear to be finding their form as they get ready for the Non-Public Group 3 playoffs. Senior QB Jack Walsh threw two TD passes and ran for another. Sophomore OLB Louis Acceus stepped up with another strong game, posting 11 tackles to spark the defense.
Next: vs. Paramus Catholic, Saturday

5. DePaul (5-3)
Last week: Lost to No. 1 Paramus Catholic, 41-20
Breakdown: The Spartans, who began the season 5-0, have lost three straight games, all against Big North United Division opponents. DePaul was within striking distance in the third quarter, down 27-20, but Paramus Catholic senior QB Willy Hansen found senior WR Donald Stewart for a 28-yard TD pass. DePaul didn’t score again and now is faced with the possibility of entering the Non-Public, Group 2 playoffs on a four-game losing streak because the Spartans conclude their regular season Friday night at No. 2 Don Bosco.
Next: at Don Bosco, Friday

6. Westwood (8-0) 
Last week: Defeated Dumont, 42-0
Breakdown: The Cardinals stretched their winning streak to 14 games, posting their second shutout in three games. Boston College-bound senior WR Nolan Borgensen was again the catalyst, catching nine passes for 147 yards and three TDs and returning a punt 65 yards for a score. Senior MLB Brandon Gallagher paced the defense with 10 tackles.
Next: at Dwight Morrow, Friday

7. Waldwick/Midland Park (8-0)
Last week: Defeated Rutherford, 49-14
Breakdown: Zach Van Kat, a junior defensive end, returned an interception seven yards for a touchdown to give the Warriors a 49-7 lead in the third quarter over the Bulldogs. Jeremy Zaukas scored on runs of 49 and 2 yards and also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and Nick Dragonetti (84 yards) and Ron Kruis (38 yards) also scored a touchdown each for Waldwick/Midland Park.
Next: vs. Ridgefield, Friday

8. Paramus (7-1) 
Last week: Defeated Northern Highlands, 42-14
Breakdown: The Spartans have won four straight since an OT loss to Bergenfield. Derek De La Cruz ran for three touchdowns, including a 61-yarder. Bryce Jacob also ran for a pair of TDs. Rocco Mandarino had a strong effort on defense, returning an interception for a TD.
Next: at Tenafly, Friday

9. Pascack Valley (6-2) 
Last week: Lost to Ramapo, 21-19
Breakdown: Missed opportunities doomed the Indians in the Big North Independence Division title game. Senior RB Rocco Swatek scored two touchdowns, but PV’s potential game-winning drive ended with a Ramapo interception in the endzone as time expired.
Next: vs. Northern Highlands, Friday

10. Passaic Tech (7-1)
Last week: Defeated Ridgewood, 19-13
Breakdown: Senior QB Zaire Weaver completed 10 of 19 passes for 148 yards and three TDs to lead the Bulldogs over the Maroons, who beat Passaic Tech twice apiece in 2012 and 2013 (once in each regular season and postseason). Senior WR/DB Jacquese Johnson played well on both sides of the ball for Passaic Tech, too. Johnson caught five passes for 95 yards and two TDs and made an important interception that helped seal Passaic Tech’s win with 2:05 left in the game. Senior MLB Drew Lindsay recorded 12 tackles, including three for losses, to lead Passaic Tech’s defense.
Next week: at Lakeland, Friday

11. Old Tappan (6-2)
Last week: Beat Lakeland, 44-21
Breakdown: Old Tappan QB Kevin Martinez was 11-of-17 for 304 yards and two touchdowns as the Knights improved to 6-2. Pierce Lukas caught six passes for 144 yards and one touchdown and added five rushes for 63 yards and another score. Jedh Downey rushed 14 times for 56 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Next: at Bergenfield, Saturday

12. Ramapo (6-2) 
This week: Defeated Pascack Valley, 21-19
Breakdown: The Green Raiders beat PV for the first time since 2009, clinching the Big North Independence crown. It was Ramapo’s first division title since 2004. Senior RB Matt Giacose was the catalyst, rushing for 139 yards and a TD and returning a kick 87 yards for a score.
Next: vs. River Dell, Saturday

13. St. Mary (8-0)
Last week: Defeated Emerson, 52-12
Breakdown: Senior tailback Keon Banks had 213 yards on 24 carries and scored five touchdowns to help the Gaels past the Cavos. Banks scored on runs of 9, 1, 27, 45 and 4 yards. Derius Stone returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown and quarterback Andrew Brito (5 yards) and Kevin Woupes (33 yards) each had a touchdown run for St. Mary.
Next: at No. 24 Cresskill, Saturday

14. River Dell (6-2)
Last week: Defeated Mahwah, 28-10
Breakdown: The Golden Hawks ensured themselves a first round home game in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs. This was a dynamic effort by junior QB Dylan Connolly, who threw for 69 yards and ran for 81 yards and two TDS. Senior RB Matt Lanza picked up 126 yards, scoring on two long TD runs.
Next: at Ramapo, Saturday

15. Garfield (7-1)
Last week: Defeated Palisades Park/Leonia, 32-0
Breakdown: The Boilermakers were led by Aveon Irving, who scored two touchdowns and rushed for 168 yards in the win over the Tigers. Junior quarterback Alex Victorino had two touchdown passes and threw for 221 yards for Garfield. Victorino hit Kevin Buron with a 72-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to make it 6-0 as Garfield took a six-point halftime lead. Ricky Reyes returned the second half kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown to make it 13-0 and Irving added runs of 56 and 2 yards in the third quarter, and Victorino found buron with a 66-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Next: vs. No. 19 Glen Rock, Friday

16. Mahwah (6-2) 
Last week: Lost to River Dell, 28-10
Breakdown: The Thunderbirds had a tough time coping with the River Dell running game as they saw their four game winning streak come to an end. Junior QB James Ciliento ran for 135 yards and a TD while sophomore K Patrick Cowan booted a 31-yard field goal.
Next week: at Ridgefield Park, Friday

17. Pequannock (7-1)
Last week: Lost to Mountain Lakes, 28-0
Breakdown: The Golden Panthers suffered their first loss to the powerful Herd, the defending North 2, Group 2 champions who won their 20th straight game. Jack Palazzi and Bobby Frawley each scored two touchdowns for Mountain Lakes, which clinched at least a share of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Independence Division title. Tim Horgan completed 5 of 13 passes for 25 yards with an interception for Pequannock, which got its initial first down midway through the third quarter. Horgan rushed five times for 20 yards and Justin Brunda had five carries for 29 yards for Pequannock, which should be the No. 3 seed in North 1, Group 2.
Next: at Kittatinny, Saturday

18. Hackensack (6-1)
Last week: Did not play
Breakdown: The Comets have won three straight and, following a bye week, are rested approaching a rare Thursday afternoon game at Clifton.
Next week: at Clifton, Thursday

19. Glen Rock (7-1)
Last week: Defeated Ridgefield, 42-6
Breakdown: Brady Miller had a touchdown pass and also ran for three touchdowns to help the Panthers past the Royals. Miller scored on a 38-yard touchdown run in the first quarter followed by a 3-yard scoring run later in that period and also had a 58-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Miller threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Pulzello in the second quarter when Glen Rock took a 42-0 halftime lead. Sean McInerney had a 65-yard touchdown pass to Pulezello and Ryan Dooner scored on a 15-yard run for Glen Rock.
Next: at Garfield, Friday

20. Demarest (7-1)
Last week: Beat Wayne Valley, 46-10
Breakdown: Demarest senior RB Alex Wasserman scored six total touchdowns — one on a 67-yard reception and five others on runs of 4, 1, 25, 5 and 25 yards. He finished with 244 rushing yards on 21 carries, while Matt Lee added a pair of 2-yard touchdown runs.
Next: vs. West Milford, Friday

21. Ridgewood (5-3)
Last week: Lost to Passaic Tech, 19-13
Breakdown: After starting 5-0, the Maroons have lost three straight games to Paramus, Hackensack and Passaic Tech, with a meeting against Bergen Catholic up next. Mitch Campbell and Jonathan Davila each had one rushing touchdown in last week’s loss to Passaic Tech.
Next: vs. Bergen Catholic, Friday

22. Becton (7-1)
Last week: Defeated North Arlington, 28-12
Breakdown: Anthony Viso returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown and Joe Lesho had a 47-yard interception return for a score to lead the Wildcats past the Vikings as Becton won its third game in a row. Becton trailed 12-7 at halftime before Roy Forys scored on a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give Becton a 14-12 lead. Forys added a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and Lesho’s interception return made it a 16-point game.
Next: vs. Wallington, Friday

23. Hasbrouck Heights (5-3)
Last week: Beat Saddle Brook, 49-23
Breakdown: After a 1-2 start, Hasbrouck Heights had played its way right back into sectional title contention after winning four of its last five games. In the Aviators’ 49-23 win over Saddle Brook, Steve Salerno scored three touchdowns, Brian Moran added two and Matt Fausette scored once.
Next: vs. Weehawken, Friday

24. Cresskill (7-1)
Last week: Defeated Bogota, 27-7
Breakdown: Matt Ferrara, Sean Kelly, Nick Carroll and Brendan Coffey scored on touchdown apiece to lift the Cougars, who have lost only to Hasbrouck Heights, 14-13, past the Bucs (5-3). Ferrara had a 15-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Carroll had a 58-yard score in the second quarter as Cresskill took a 13-7 halftime lead. Quarterback Kelly went over from 1 yardd away in the third quarter and Coffey (109 yards on 26 carries) had a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Cresskill, Becton and Hasbrouck Heights each tied for the NJIC Meadowlands Division championship with 5-1 divisional records. Cresskill should be the No. 1 seed in the North 1, Group 1 playoffs.
Next: vs. No. 13 St. Mary, Saturday

25. Ridgefield Park (6-2)
Last week: Beat Dwight Morrow, 48-7
Breakdown: Ridgefield Park’s Tommy Visaggio rushed 11 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns and Tayo Fatiregun added 17 carries for 135 yards and three scores, as Ridgefield Park moved to 6-2. Thomas Caraccio hauled in three passes for 125 yards and one score and QB Ryan Lamon threw for 170 yards and one touchdown.
Next: vs. Mahwah, Friday