The NJSIAA put out the football classifications this morning, and there are several changes that will impact North Jersey high school football this season.
Just on first glance, here are my observations.
– The 3 groups for non-public schools makes a lot more sense than 4. There are 10 schools in the biggest class (called Non-Public Group 4). And yes, St. Joes is now in Non-Public Group 4. They are the smallest school in the group by 24 students. Delbarton is the biggest school in Non-Public Group 3. So yes, this means the Green Knights could possibly play Bosco or Bergen or St. Peter’s Prep in the playoffs. This is not a total surprise, but today it became official.
– DePaul now moves up into Non-Public Group 3 as the 2x defending Non-Public Group 2 state champs. Obviously, this is a tougher bracket for the Spartans with Delbarton, Pope John the 23rd and Red Bank Catholic (defending Non-Public Group 3 champs) involved. DePaul is one of the smallest schools in the group.
On to the publics….
– Ridgewood just misses out on dropping into North 1, Group 4 by 68 kids. The Maroons are now the smallest school in North 1, Group 5. Hackensack stays in Group 5. Eastside and Kennedy are in Group 5 as well.
– Indian Hills is now the smallest school in North 1, Group 4 by six students. Old Tappan is in North 1, Group 4 along with Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley. If the Golden Knights are going to finally win that elusive section….well, they’ll probably have to go through a Morris County school to do it. Randolph and Roxbury are now in North 1, Group 4.
– North 1 Group 3 is now the Group of Death, Paramus, Bergenfield, Pascack Valley, Ramapo, Garfield, River Dell and Demarest. That’s 7 schools that made the playoffs last season and there are still 9 other schools in the group, including Morris Hills and defending sectional champ Sparta.
– Mahwah is now the big dogs in North 1, Group 2. They are the biggest school in the section. This is another loaded section with Lakeland, Westwood, Waldwick/Midland Park, plus Pequannock and Pompton Lakes, and Hawthorne. Boom, there are 7 playoff contenders right there out of the 16 schools.
– North 1, Group 1 is always fun, New Milford gets a small break and drops down into Group 1 by 5 students.
– Pal Park/Leonia stays in North 2, Group 3. Ridgefield Park and Fort Lee are in North 2, Group 3 as well. They are the bottom 2 schools based on enrollments. Ridgefield is in North 2, Group 1.
For a complete list, check out njsiaa.org