Tag: Phillipsburg

by Mike Pavlichko

Where would Big Central teams play if they win sectional titles this weekend? We break down the potential scenarios

There are three Big Central Conference public schools playing for sectional titles this weekend, with all of them in Group 5. And if and when they bring home trophies this weekend, it’s on to the state semifinals.

Before the NJSIAA expanded the playoffs to include state championships in 2022, those state semifinals were called “Regional Championship,” and were the end of the line from 2018 through 2021. They were played at neutral sites, typically MetLife Stadium or Rutgers. Once the state championships were in the mix, those state semifinals moved back to high school sites.

According to NJSIAA regulations, the highest-ranked UPR team in each supersection will host the state semifinals. So, we’ve broken down the scenarios for you.

NORTH GROUP 5 SUPERSECTION

Sectional Finals:
North Jersey, Section 1: (4) Irvington at (3) Piscataway, 1 pm Saturday
North Jersey, Section 2: (4) Passaic Tech at (3) Phillipsburg, 7 pm Friday

UPR Standings

  • (5) Phillipsburg, 4.8 UPR
  • (5) Piscataway, 4.8 UPR
  • (7) Passaic Tech, 7.6 UPR
  • (8) Irvington. 8.6 UPR

Note: Tie-breaker goes to Phillipsburg over Piscataway on the following critera: 1) Head-to-head: none; 2) Common opponents: both beat St. Joseph-Metuchen; OSI: Phillipsburg gets the tiebreaker at 59.9 compared to 56.82 for Piscataway.

If Piscataway wins: The Chiefs would host the state semifinal next Saturday afternoon if Passaic Tech beats Phillipsburg. If the Stateliners win, Piscataway would visit Phillipsburg next Friday night.

If Phillipsburg wins: They would host either way, whether Piscataway or Irvington win, since they are the highest-ranked team of the four.

SOUTH GROUP 5 SUPERSECTION

Sectional Finals:
Central: (2) Rancocas Valley at (1) Old Bridge, 6 pm Friday
South: (3) Toms River North at (1) Washington Twp., 6 pm Friday

UPR Standings

  • (1) Washington Twp., 1.4 UPR
  • (2) Old Bridge, 2.2 UPR
  • (3) Rancocas Valley, 2.4 UPR
  • (5) Toms River North, 5.0 UPR

If Old Bridge wins: The Knights would host the state semifinal next Friday night if Toms River North upsets Washington Twp. If the Minutemen win, Old Bridge would travel down there next Friday night.

by Mike Pavlichko

INSTANT REPLAY:  North 2, Group 5 Semifinals: (3) Phillipsburg 31, (2) East Orange 13

Senior runningback Shane Moore ran for three touchdowns while Kevin Pacewicz snagged a 40-yard pick-six while for third-seed Phillipsburg, which also got a stellar defensive effort in picking up a 31-13 win at second-seed East Orange in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 semifinals.

The win puts Phillipsburg in a sectional final for a fifth straight year – all at home – where they will face off against fourth-seed Passaic Tech in the championship game next Friday at 7 pm.

Click below to listen to Mike Pavlichko and Nick Hart call all the play-by-play live from Paul Robeson Stadium in East Orange, NJ, on November 7, 2026:

1st Half
2nd Half
by Mike Pavlichko

Dominant D, a healthy dose of Moore send Phillipsburg past East Orange, 31-13, and into fifth straight sectional title tilt at Maloney

The East Orange football team has a lot of options at wide receiver and a talented running back who can keep defenses honest.

But on Saturday afternoon in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 semifinals, third-seed Philipsburg’s defense had just about all the answers. And it led them to a 31-13 win over the second-seeded Jaguars – as heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio – to send them to their fifth straight sectional title game, a Big Central Conference record.

Senior running back Shane Moore had 120 yards on 20 carries and three rushing touchdowns in the win, which will send the Stateliners back home on Friday night to play fourth-seed Passaic Tech in the North Group 5 final, an unexpected home game since the Bulldogs upset top-seed Elizabeth on the road Friday night in the section’s other semi.

Phillipsburg (8-2) dominated play in the first half and held a major time of possession advantage. After Moore’s first two touchdowns put the Stateliners up 14-0, East Orange (7-3) got on the board after getting great field position on a fumble by the State liners. They cut the deficit to one score on a 32-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Je’zi Lewis, but the extra point was blocked, leaving the score at 14-6.

Moore added another TD run from 38 yards to make it 21-6 heading into halftime.

Phillipsburg added to the lead late in the third on a 40-yard pick-six by linebacker David Pacewicz – the ‘Liners’ second of the game – making it 28-6, and a field goal in the fourth put the Stateliners ahead 31-6.

Eat Orange’s Sean Smith scored on a 64-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute, breaking free against the Stateliner subs just playing out the last few minutes.

Xavier Campbell-Graham rushed eleven times for 33 yards wile fullback Vincent Berger racked up 57 yards with some big first down gains, while QB Dominic Bracco was 4-for-8 for 42 yards.

Phillipsburg visits East Orange in the North 2, Group 5 semifinals at Paul Robeson Stadium on November 7, 2026. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)

Not only will Phillipsburg play in its fifth straight sectional final next Friday night, but it will also be their fifth straight title game played at their home field, Maloney Stadium.

Phillipsburg made sectional finals in Group 5 in 2022 and 2023, but lost both times, to West Orange and Union City, respectively. They moved down to Group 4 in 2024, and not only won a sectional title over Northern Highlands, but went to the state Group 4 final at Rutgers, where they lost to the juggernaut that is Winslow. Last year, they won again in North 2, Group 4, beating Montogmery in the title game, but falling to Ramapo in the state semifinals.

Now, thanks to Passaic Tech’s upset of Elizabeth, they get to host another title game in front of their devoted home fans.

Click below for postgame reaction from Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Nick Hart with Phillipsburg runningback Shane Moore, linebacker David Pacewicz, and head coach Frank Duffy, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen!

by Mike Pavlichko

Phillipsburg heads to East Orange seeking Big Central record 5th straight trip to a trophy game

There can be no doubt, and no denying: the Phillipsburg football program has been the most successful and consistent of all 59 Big Central Conference football teams over the past five seasons.

In 2022 and 2023, the Stateliners reached sectional finals in Group 5, but lost both times. They followed that up by winning the next two – in 2024 over Northern Highlands and in 2025 over Montgomery – while playing in Group 5. And they even went all the way to the Group 4 state championship game at Rutgers in 2024 – the only BCC team to do so since state finals were introduced in 2022 where they fell to Winslow

This season, Phillipsburg is back up in Group 5, and just 48 minutes away from a fifth straight sectional finals appearance, something no other Big Central team has done since the league’s inception, and the first year back for playoffs in 2021 after the COVID-shortened year of 2020.

Saturday afternoon, the third-seeded Stateliners (7-2) play in the North 2, Group 5 semifinals at second-seed East Orange (7-2) in a game you can hear live on Central Jersey Sports Radio, beginning with pregame at 12:40 pm. Mike Pavlichko and Nick Hart have the call with kickoff at 1:00; click here to listen.

The winner will play in the title game next weekend, either at home against fourth-seed Passaic Tech or on the road at top-seed Elizabeth; those two play their semifinal game at 6 pm Friday night.

Phillipsburg has only played six games against New Jersey competition this year, adding three against Pennsylvania opponents in the early season. Their biggest wins came at St. Joseph of Metuchen in late September, 42-31, and at home against Bridgewater-Raritan in mid-October, 35-14, allowing them to claim a share of the American Silver Division title with the Panthers and Ridge.

They’re coming in off a 38-27 home win over seventh-seed Ridgewood last Friday night.

After a few years where the passing game mixed in more when the Stateliners had record-setting receiver Matthew Scerbo, Jr., Phillipsburg returned last year to a more run-heavy offense with sophomore QB Dominic Bracco running the show. He’s now a junior, but the game plan remains the same. The ‘Liners have thrown just 93 passes all season – averaging fewer than ten per game – while running it for over 2,000 yards, with 1,155 of those – and 11 touchdowns – coming from senior runningback Shane Moore. Three others have at least 38 carries apiece, including juniors Vincent Berger and Xavier Campbell-Graham, along with Bracco himself.

And the defense has been its regular stout self. While they gave up 32 points to Freedom (PA) in a loss on September 11, they allowed 31 points in a win over St. Joe’s and 21 to Parkland (PA) in their opener, in six other games they never allowed more than 14 points, until giving up 27 last week in a win over Ridgewood.

As for East Orange, they have a lot of offensive weapons, starting with senior QB Zach Concepcion, who has thrown for 2,315 yards and 24 touchdowns, with multiple targets to choose from. Top receiver Je’zi Lewis has 30 catches for 728 yards and nine touchdowns, and three others – Donovon Ottey-Campbell, Eric Wilkins and Musa Wittingburg – all have at least 18 catches, 435 yards receiving, and four TDs (Wittingburg has five).

And they will try to pester the heck out of Bracco on defense. The Jaguars have registered a whopping 31 sacks this year and 96 tackles for loss, while recovering eight fumbles and snaring nine interceptions, two of which have gone for touchdowns.

Click below to hear preview interviews with both head coaches:

Phillipsburg head coach Frank Duffy with Nick Hart
East Orange head coach John Jacob with Mike Pavlichko

by Mike Pavlichko

Elizabeth finishes regular season at No. 1, but three upsets juggle the rest in Week 9 Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten

It’s all the same teams – and still Elizabeth as No. 1, the only unbeaten team remaining in the Big Central Conference – but a trio of upsets shuffled much of the rest of the Week Nine Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten, the final one before the end of the season.

From the top, Elizabeth (8-0) held on to the top spot after a 29-14 come-from-behind home win over Somerville Friday night at Williams Field. The Minutemen got the overall top-seed in the North 5 supersection, and will be the No. 1 seed in North Jersey, Section 2, hosting eight-seed Linden Friday night. Elizabeth beat the Tigers 39-18 when they met on October 12th.

At No. 2 is Old Bridge (8-1), which came up with a huge 28-6 win at previous No. 3 Ridge Friday night. The Red Devils fall to four this week as a result, and will start the playoffs on the road as the five-seed in North 1, Group 4, traveling to fourth-seed Middletown South this Friday night. The Knights are the top-seed in Central Jersey Group 1, and will host eight-seed Lenape Friday night at Lombardi Field.

In fourth, it’s Phillipsburg (6-2), which pounded Hunterdon Central, 41-13, Friday night. This week, they’ll be back home at Maloney Stadium as the third-seed in North 2, Group 5, where they will host six-seed Ridgewood Friday evening at 7.

At No. 5 is Sayreville (7-2), which scored 16 unanswered points to erase a 7-0 first-half deficit and beat then-No. 4 Piscataway, 16-7 Friday night in a game heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio. The Bombers got a three seed in Central Jersey Group 5, and will host sixth-seed Vineland Friday night at 7. Piscataway (7-2) drops to seventh, but still got a first-round home game as the three-seed in North 2, Group 5, and will host sixth-seed Bayonne Saturday at noon, in a game you can also hear live on CJSR.

A sign featuring the text 'BELLAMY & SON PAVING' in bold red and yellow letters, highlighting residential and commercial paving services.

In between the Bombers and Chiefs, Bridgewater-Raritan (7-2) checks in at No. 6. The Panthers were 28-7 home winners over Watchung Hills Friday, and the defending North 2, Group 5 champs got a five seed in the section this year. They will visit fourth-seed Passaic Tech Friday night.

Moving up two spots to No. 8 is Hillside (8-1), which spoiled Cranford‘s perfect season (7-1) with a 14-3 road win last week over the then-No. 7 Cougars. The Comets earned a six-seed in North 1, Group 2 and will visit third-seed Rutherford for a 6 pm kickoff Fridya, while Cranford is a two-seed in North 1, Group 3, and will host seven-seed Matawan Friday night at 7:00.

At No. 10, down one spot to make room for Hillside, is Rahway (8-1), which beat Edison 22-7 Friday night at Madden Field. They’ll be back there this Friday as the two-seed in North 2, Group 4, taking on seven-seed Mount Olive at 7 pm.

Below is the complete 2026 Week Nine Bellamy & Son Paving High School Football Top Ten. These are the last rankings before the end of the season.

by Mike Pavlichko

Elizabeth stays No. 1, Hillside replaces Union in Week 8 Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten

For a second straight week, there were very little changes in the Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten. The only change in Week Eight was Hillside replacing Union in the final spot, as the first nine teams all remained the same.

From the top, Elizabeth (8-0) remains No. 1 after a 34-3 win Saturday at Westfield. The Minutemen host Somerville this Friday in their regular season finale, looking to lock up a No. 1 seed in the North Group 5 supersection.

At No. 2 is Old Bridge (7-1). The Knights blanked East Brunswick Friday night, 43-0, and have a huge game at No. 3 Ridge (5-2) Friday night. The Red Devils were 42-19 winners at Hillsborough last week. The Knights appear to have a shot at a No. 1 seed in South 5 if they can flip over Rancocas Valley (8-0), which plays Burlington Twp. (4-4) this week. The Red Devils may need a win to stay in the top eight of North 4 and get a first round home game.

Phillipsburg (5-2) remains fourth after a 35-14 home win over No. 6 Bridgewater-Raritan (6-2), leaving a three-way share of the American Silver Division title with Ridge. The Stateliners host Hunterdon Central at Maloney Friday night, while the Panthers host Watchung Hills.

A sign featuring the text 'BELLAMY & SON PAVING' in bold red and yellow letters, highlighting residential and commercial paving services.

Piscataway (7-1) checks in at No. 5, after a 35-7 win at Monroe Friday. They play at No. 8 Sayreville Friday at 7 pm in the Bellamy & Son Paving Big Central Game of the Week on Central Jersey Sports Radio. The Bombers were 44-8 winners at North Brunswick last week.

Cranford (7-0) stays at seven after winning 24-12 at Carteret Friday. The Cougars get Hillside (7-1) this Friday night, with the Comets joining the top ten at No. 10 after beating Manville on the road Friday, 54-7.

And Rahway (7-1) holds at No. 9 after a 41-14 win at Colonia this past Friday night. The Indians host Edison this Friday.

Below is the complete 2026 Week Eight Bellamy & Son Paving High School Football Top Ten:

by Mike Pavlichko

After big changes the past two weeks, some stability in the Week 7 Bellamy & Son Paving Big Central Top Ten

Yes, the last couple of weeks have been somewhat tumultuous in the Big Central Conference among its top teams, reflected in big changes in the Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten, including a new No. 1 last week.

That’s not quite the case this week., as the top seven all stayed the same, the bottom two shifted around, one team dropped out, and another rejoined the Top Ten after falling out two weeks ago.

It all starts with Elizabeth (7-0), which continued its fantastic season with a 44-0 shutout of Hillsborough at home last Friday, to stay at No. 1. They Minutemen get an extra day of prep this week, as they’ll visit Westfield Saturday afternoon.

Old Bridge (6-1) remains at No. 2, after a 38-20 road win at Monroe last Friday. They’re back at it this Friday with a home game against East Brunswick.

Third-ranked Ridge (4-2) holds its position, thanks to a 34-0 shutout over Westfield last Friday night. The Red Devils visit Hillsborough Friday night.

At No. 4 is Phillipsburg (4-2), holding steady after a bye last week. They started in Week Zero this year, and still have a Thanksgiving Day game against Easton, which gives them a week off in the middle of the season. The Stateliners host No. 6 Bridgewater-Raritan (6-1) Friday night at Maloney Stadium, in a game you can hear live on Central Jersey Radio. The Panthers were 28-7 winners at previous No. 9 Union Friday night, and a win over the Stateliners would give them the American Silver Division title. Should Phillipsburg win, they would get the title on a tiebreaker, but if Ridge beats Hillsborough, it would be a three-way tie, with everyone splitting two games with one another.

Piscataway (6-1) holds in fifth after a 35-14 win at home over then-No. 8 St. Joseph-Metuchen Friday night. The Chiefs are in Monroe this Friday to take on the other Falcons in the BCC.

A sign featuring the text 'BELLAMY & SON PAVING' in bold red and yellow letters, highlighting residential and commercial paving services.

At No. 7, it’s Cranford (6-0) holding steady. The Cougars blanked South Plainfield, 14-0, on the road last Friday night, and this Friday, they travel to Carteret.

The last three spots saw some shuffling. Sayreville (5-2) moved up from ten to eight after a 23-16 win at Somerville, and this week are in North Brunswick to take on the Raiders Friday night.

Rahway (6-1) rejoins the rankings at No. 9 after falling out a couple of weeks ago with a loss to Cranford. But the Indians have won two straight since, including last Friday night at Plainfield, a 35-6 victory. This Friday, they visit Colonia.

And dropping one spot to No. 10 is Union (5-2), which lost at No. 6 Bridgewater-Raritan last Friday, 28-7. The Farmers play at St. Joe’s this Friday, in the Falcons’ once-a-year Friday night game with temporary lights at Brenner Family Field.

St. Joseph-Metuchen dropped out of the rankings this week after their fourth straight loss, this one to Piscataway; they’re now 2-4.

Below is the complete 2026 Week Seven Bellamy & Son Paving High School Football Top Ten:

by Mike Pavlichko

Where do the Big Central Conference division races stand? Some are settled, but we take a closer at the ones that aren’t

We’re down to the last two weeks of the high school football regular season, with this also being the final week of divisional play in the Big Central Conference, and there are still a number of division titles up for grabs.

Some already have been decided, so we decided to take a look at who’s already been crowned, and which ones still are up for grabs.

Divisional Champs…

Eight of the 12 Big Central Divisions already have been decided, with two outright: Belvidere and Hillside. The other six are decided due to tiebreakers between the division leaders and the next team back. Here’s a closer look.

  • American Gold – Elizabeth: The Minutemen are perfect in 2026, 7-0 and No. 1 in the Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten. And they may be the most high-powered offense in the league, averaging 41.1 points per game, only once scoring fewer than 28 points – in a 19-7 win at Union in their third game of the year. They also have topped 50 twice. It’s a small division – just four teams – so there are only three division games, and their last comes this Saturday when they visit Westfield (1-5). They close at home against Somerville on Cutoff Weekend in a game that should see a lot of points scored.
  • Freedom Silver Division – Belvidere: The County Seaters swept through the division this year, going 5-0, just like they did in 2024, making this their second division title in three seasons, and second all-time in the BCC. Belvidere’s high-powered offense averaged 38 points per game against Freedom Silver opponents – never scoring fewer than 34 points in any of the five – while allowing just under ten a game. Their only loss came in their opening game, a 27-8 defeat at Hackettstown, and they have won eight straight games against Big Central foes, dating back to October 10 of last year. Belvidere has a non-conference game at North Warren this Friday night before hosting Delaware Valley on Saturday of Cutoff Weekend.
  • Liberty Gold – Rahway: The Indians aren’t finished with divisional play yet, but they are 3-0, with a trip to Colonia this Friday. But the only team that could tie them in the division is Woodbridge, and Rahway has the tiebreaker, courtesy of a 42-21 road win back on September 11. Their lone loss this year came three weeks ago at home to Cranford, 14-7; the Cougars remain undefeated. Rahway has won two straight since, 38-20 over South Brunswick and 35-6 at Plainfield Friday night. The Indians close divisional play at Colonia this week before a crossover home game against Edison the week after.
  • Liberty Silver – Montgomery: The Cougars are in the same situation as Rahway, 3-0 in the division, with Somerville behind them at 2-1, but Monty beat The ‘Ville for a second year in a row, 38-35, back on September 25. And, eerily similar to Rahway, they also lost to Cranford, 13-12, two weeks ago. Montgomery has won four of its last five games after an 0-2 start, with wins at Watchung Hills and Hunterdon Central, and at home over Colonia and the Pioneers. Monty visits divisional foe North Hunterdon Friday night, then plays a home crossover Friday of Cutoff Weekend against Hillsborough in the “Carty Bowl.”

  • National Gold – Old Bridge: Ditto here for the Knights, who are 3-0, with Piscataway behind them at 2-1, but Old Bridge beat the Chiefs 27-26 three weeks ago, erasing a 26-0 halftime deficit with four unanswered touchdowns – two on the ground, two through the air – by Chase Rizzo. The Knights (6-1) have won six straight since an eight-point loss to Shawnee in the Battle at the Beach down in Ocean City in Week Zero, and have now won eleven straight contests against Big Central competition, the longest active streak in the league. They play their final division game of the season Friday night at Lombardi Field against East Brunswick before heading up to Ridge on Friday night of Cutoff Weekend.
  • National Silver – Sayreville: The Bombers also are 3-0 in the division, with St. Thomas Aquinas behind them at 2-1, and Sayreville owns the tiebreaker via a 37-21 win over the Trojans three weeks ago. Their only two losses have come in crossovers, 2-17 to Ridge and 14-12 at Old Bridge two weeks ago, but they bounced back with a 23-16 win at Somerville back on Friday in their third straight road game. They will close divisional play this Friday with their fourth straight trip, this time to North Brunswick, before finishing up at home against Piscataway, Friday night of Cutoff Weekend, in a game you can hear live on Central Jersey Sports Radio.
  • Patriot Gold – Hillside: The Comets swept the division, going 4-0 with wins over Delaware Valley, North Plainfield, Voorhees and New Brunswick, their most recent coming Saturday against the Canucks, 26-0, at Conant Street Park. In those four, they scored an average of 31.5 points per game and allowed a total of just ten, with two shutouts, also blanking New Brunswick. In fact, in their six wins this season, they’ve allowed just 17 points, but their lone BCC loss was a 20-19 home defeat at the hands of Bernards last week. Hillside closes with two road crossovers this week at next, first at Manville, then at Cranford.
  • United Silver – Bernards: In a small, four-team division, the Mountaineers are 2-0, with wins over the two teams immediately behind them at 1-1, South Plainfield and Governor Livingston. With those tiebreakers in hand, Bernards is an outright division champ for the fifth straight year. They shared the Division 2A title in a three-way tie with Delaware Valley and Hillside in 2021, and did the same in the COVID-shortened 2020 season with Hillside and Governor Livingston.

Still to be decided…

That leaves four divisions whose champions are yet to be determined, and will be decided this week. Here’s a closer look at the potential scenarios, with one potential three-way tie.

  • American Silver: This will be decided Friday night at Maloney Stadium in Phillipsburg, where the likely well-rested Stateliners – coming off a bye – will host Bridgewater-Raritan in a game you can hear live on Central Jersey Sports Radio this Friday night. But it could get complicated. The Panthers are 2-0 in the four-team division, with just three division games, while Phillipsburg is 1-1. Should Bridgewater-Raritan win, they’d be 3-0 and claim the title outright. If the Stateliners win, both would be 2-1, with Phillipsburg claiming the title on a tiebreaker with one exception. If Ridge wins at Hillsborough Friday – and the Red Devils should be a heavy favorite against the Raiders – there would be a three-way tie. Ridge will have split with Bridgewater and Phillipsburg, Bridgewater would have beaten Ridge but lost to P’burg, and the ‘Liners would have beaten Bridgewater, but lost to Ridge; that defeat came on the final play of their October 2 game at Lee Field.
  • Freedom Gold: This one is a lot simpler. With five division games, to play, and four in the books, it comes down to Highland Park (7-0) and Dayton (5-2) this Friday night in Springfield. The Owls have pitched five shutouts this season – blanking New Brunswick, Middlesex, JP Stevens, South River, and Brearley – while allowing 13 points all season, with just six allowed by the defense; the other seven came via an interception return for a touchdown two weeks ago at Bound Brook. Roselle Park is the only offense to score on them. Dayton’s only two losses have come out of the division, at Governor Livingston in Week Zero and at home to New Providence two weeks ago.
  • Patriot Silver: The resurgent Panthers are 6-1, 4-0 in the division, and will be going for their seventh win this Friday when A.L. Johnson comes to Waters Stadium in the Bay City Friday night; a win would give them their most victories in a season since 1967. But more importantly, the division title is on the line. Both are 4-0 in the division, with wins over Roselle, Spotswood, Governor Livingston and Metuchen, so this one is for all the marbles.
  • United Gold: Undefeated Cranford is 2-0 in this small division, with Summit and Carteret both 1-1. But the Cougars already have beaten Summit – shutting out the Hilltoppers 29-0 on September 18 – so Summit can’t lay claim to the division title if the Cougars (6-0) drop their first game of the year this weekend when they visit The Pit to take on the Ramblers. But if they do, Carteret would get the title, as both would be 2-1 in the United Gold, with the Ramblers owning the tiebreaker.
by Mike Pavlichko

There’s a new team atop the Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten after Phillipsburg falls at Ridge, and it’s their first No. 1 ranking in BCC history

For the first time since the formation of the Big Central Conference in 2020, Elizabeth has reached the top of the Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten for Week Six.

The Minutemen are 6-0 for the first time since 2012, when they went undefeated, 11-0, and won the first-ever North 2, Group 5 championship, beating Piscataway in the final at Kean University in Union.

Phillipsburg had been No. 1, with their only prior loss coming out of state, to Freedom (PA) out of Bethlehem. But they were knocked off by No. 1 Ridge on the final play of the game Friday, and Elizabeth’s win helped cement the change. All in all, only two teams are in the same positions they were last week.

Elizabeth stayed unbeaten with a 39-18 home win against Linden Friday night, and the Minutemen will put that perfect mark on the line again this Friday when they host Hillsborough (1-4) in a crossover game.

Old Bridge (5-1) edged up a spot to No. 2 after a thrilling 14-12 home victory over then-No. 8 Sayreville Friday night, as heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio. This week, the Knights visit much-improved Monroe (4-2) in a National Gold Division contest.

Ridge (3-2) – which has played four ranked opponents, three of which have been in the top three at one point or another – moved all the way up to No. 3 after knocking off Phillipsburg at home Friday, winning on a touchdown catch off a tipped ball at the goal line on the game’s final play. This week, the Red Devils host Westfield Friday night in a BCC crossover. Phillipsburg (4-2) dropped down to four, and is off this week.

Piscataway (5-1) was a 46-6 winner over Franklin Saturday afternoon in the first meeting of the former Thanksgiving Day rivals in three years. The Chiefs are back at it Friday night at home in a crossover game against No. 8 St. Joseph-Metuchen.

A sign featuring the text 'BELLAMY & SON PAVING' in bold red and yellow letters, highlighting residential and commercial paving services.

Holding at six and seven are Bridgewater-Raritan (5-1) and Cranford (5-0). The Falcons were 5-18 winners at Hunterdon Central Friday, and visit Piscataway this Friday. The Cougars remained undefeated with a 13-12 home win over Montgomery Friday, and this Friday night are at South Plainfield for a crossover game.

Down three spots to eight is St. Joseph-Metuchen (2-3), which has dropped three straight after starting 2-0, including an impressive win over Bridgewater-Raritan. Saturday, they lost a non-conference matinee at Delbarton, 56-24. They visit No. 5 Piscataway Friday night in a crossover game.

Making its debut this season is Union (5-1), which already has topped last year’s win total by two. The Farmers won their third strai9ght on Saturday afternoon at Cooke Field, blanking Plainfield, 24-0. This week, they play a home crossover against No. 6 Bridgewater-Raritan.

And down two spots to the final position at ten is Sayreville (4-2), which lost 14-12 at Old Bridge Friday night, as heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio. The Bombers are back at it again this with a crossover matchup Friday, visiting previously-ranked Somerville.

Previous No. 9 St. Thomas Aquinas dropped out of the rankings this week, dropping its third straight game – 42-26 at Somerville – after starting the season 3-0. They host North Brunswick in a BCC National Silver Division game Friday night in North Edison.

Below is the complete 2026 Week Six Bellamy & Son Paving High School Football Top Ten:

by Mike Pavlichko

Frank-Pickell connection help No. 10 Ridge stun top-ranked Phillipsburg, 14-13, on game’s final play

Sometimes you’d rather be lucky than good, but Friday night at Lee Field, No. 10 Ridge was both.

As a result, the Red Devils knocked off No. 1 Phillipsburg – handing the Stateliners their first New Jersey loss of the season – 14-13, as two seniors came up the heroes, with quarterback Tristan Frank hitting wide receiver Jack Pickell for a four-yard touchdown pass as time expired.

Phillipsburg opened the scoring with a 28-yard touchdown run by Vincent Berger, plus the PAT, to go up 7-0. And that was all the scoring the first half would see.

Frank scored on a one-yard run in the third to make it 7-6, and the Red Devils decided they wanted to play to win and went for two. Frank ran it in to put Ridge up 8-7. Shane Moore then scored on a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth, but a two-point conversion pass attempt failed, and the score held at 13-8 Stateliners.

With just under three minutes left, Ridge had one drive left. They got down to the four, and with one more play to go, Frank found Pickell for the winning score.

Ridge – which has now played four Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten opponents in five games, three of which were in the top three at one point or another – improves to 3-2, 1-1 in the Big Central American Silver Division, with a home game against Westfield next week.

Phillipsburg drops to 4-2, 1-1 in the American Silver, with a bye next week before Bridgewater-Raritan visits Maloney on Friday, October 16, a game you can hear live on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Click below for postgame reaction from Ridge head coach Jeff Sutherland with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko: