New Jersey’s Non-Public Group A section playoffs begin on Friday, with No. 1 Bergen Catholic getting a first-round bye.
Rutgers football has three 2024 recruits within New Jersey’s Non-Public A Playoff Bracket, with Kaj Sanders (Running back / Defensive back) playing for Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey) and Gabriel Winowich (Running back) and AJ Surace (Quarterback) playing for Notre Dame (Lawrenceville, NJ).
Heading into the Non-Public A Section Playoffs, the Crusaders (8-1) have beaten five out of 13 schools in the bracket (St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), Don Bosco Prep, Seton Hall Prep, St. Peter’s Prep, and Paramus Catholic). Bergen Catholic is seeking its third consecutive Non-Public A Section Title and will have a high chance of capturing this season’s title.
When the playoffs kick off on Friday, No. 8 Paul VI (Haddonfield, New Jersey) will face off against No. 9 Notre Dame, with the winner playing No. 1 Bergen Catholic in the second round.
Non-Public A Playoff Bracket@BergenCathFBall @NDNJAthletics @PaulVIFootball1 @HermitsFootball @SPPFootball @PCFB_Paladins @DCFBrecruits @SJRFB @theprepfootball @StJosephFB @PopeJohnLionsFB @IronmenAthletic @DelbartonFB pic.twitter.com/j2sMelnXAr
— Gridiron New Jersey (@GridironNJ) October 29, 2023
Notre Dame is 10-0 and is led by Rutgers’ top recruits, quarterback AJ Surace and running back Gabriel Winowich. Winowich is ranked No. 3, and Surace is the No. 9 prospect in New Jersey, according to 247Sports.
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On the other hand, Paul VI is 7-1 and is led by wide receiver Tyree Roane, who has nine touchdowns on the season. Roanne is ranked No. 88 in New Jersey with his nine recorded touchdowns.
NJ Division Non-Public Group A High School Football Rankings
Power Rankings are according to MaxPrep Sports
| No. | School | Record | Power Rating | Strength of Schedule Rating |
| 1 | Bergen Catholic | 8-1 | 59.90 | 40.8 |
| 2 | Delbarton (Morristown) | 8-1 | 54.00 | 29.0 |
| 3 | St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) | 6-3 | 48.70 | 37.3 |
| 4 | Donovan Catholic (Toms River) | 7-2 | 40.10 | 26.1 |
| 5 | St. Augustine Prep (Richland) | 7-2 | 39.90 | 22.0 |
| 6 | Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) | 4-5 | 39.60 | 41.3 |
| 7 | Pope John XXIII (Sparta) | 7-3 | 35.50 | 22.6 |
| 8 | Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) | 3-6 | 30.90 | 39.8 |
| 9 | St. Joseph (Metuchen) | 7-2 | 25.90 | 8.4 |
| 10 | St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City) | 1-8 | 24.20 | 45.6 |
| 11 | Paramus Catholic (Paramus) | 3-7 | 23.40 | 32.4 |
| 12 | Paul VI (Haddonfield) | 7-1 | 23.30 | 1.5 |
| 13 | Notre Dame (Lawrenceville) | 9-0 | 16.60 | -10.7 |
| 14 | St. John-Vianney (Holmdel) | 3-7 | 3.40 | 11.4 |
| 15 | Hudson Catholic (Jersey City) | 0-6 | -3.80 | 8.1 |
| 16 | Camden Catholic (Cherry Hill) | 2-6 | -15.60 | 1.2 |