NJ football: Games to watch, schedules across the state in Week 3

USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey takes a look at some of the most intriguing Week 3 high school football games across the state.   

Beneath the synopses of those contests, readers will find a schedule of games from Central Jersey, the Jersey Shore, North Jersey and South Jersey.   

USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey is comprised of reporters from the Asbury Park Press, Burlington County Times, Courier Post, Daily Record, Daily Journal, MyCentralJersey.com, New Jersey Herald and NorthJersey.com.

Visit the websites of those media outlets for complete coverage of New Jersey high school football all season long.

Following is a look at the top games and Week 3 schedules in each region.

Governor Livingston (2-0) at Bernards (1-1), Saturday, 7 p.m.

Governor Livingston snapped three-time defending sectional champion Hillside’s winning streak at 13 games with a 16-14 victory last weekend. Bernards opened the year with a hard-fought 14-9 loss to Hillside. A Bernards win over Governor Livingston would create a three-way tie with that trio of teams atop the Big Central Football Conference Division 2B standings. Governor Livingston’s Jason Schmidt had a monster game against Hillside, recording a team-high 15 tackles and rushing for a team-high 89 yards on 25 carries. He also returned a kickoff 91 yards for a score and broke off a 38-yard touchdown run. Bernards had an eight-game regular-season winning streak snapped in the loss to Hillside.

Hillsborough (1-1) at Phillipsburg (2-0), Saturday, 6 p.m.

Hillsborough, playing without gifted running back Sean Levonaitis, who is among the Big Central Football Conference’s top rushers, dropped a heartbreaking 16-13 decision to Watchung Hills on Monday night. Hillsborough is coming off an 8-3 campaign. Phillipsburg won last year’s meeting between the schools 28-7, holding a potent Hillsborough attack to a season low in points. Perennial state power Phillipsburg opened the season with impressive victories over Hunterdon Central and Montgomery, outscoring the Group 5 schools and incumbent playoff qualifiers by a combined 67-20 margin. Hillsborough defeated Montgomery 26-6, while Phillipsburg beat Montgomery 28-6, suggesting Saturday’s meeting will be evenly matched. Phillipsburg quarterback Matt Garraty has completed 16 of 22 passes for 193 yards and five touchdowns. Backfield mates Xavier Moore and Matt Quetel have combined for 266 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

Friday

Perth Amboy at Old Bridge, 6 p.m.

Colonia at J.F. Kennedy, 7 p.m.

Voorhees at Bound Brook, 7 p.m.

Westfield at Bridgewater-Raritan, 7 p.m.

J.P. Stevens at Monroe, 7 p.m.

South Brunswick at East Brunswick, 7 p.m.

Franklin at Sayreville, 7 p.m.

Passaic Tech at North Brunswick, 7 p.m.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood at Woodbridge, 7 p.m.

Delaware Valley at Belvidere, 7 p.m.

Dunellen at New Providence, 7 p.m.

Edison at New Brunswick, 7 p.m.

Manville at South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

Metuchen at North Plainfield, 7 p.m.

North Hunterdon at Montgomery, 7 p.m.

Ridge at Union, 7 p.m.

Somerville at Warren Hills, 7 p.m.

South River at Middlesex, 7 p.m.

Saturday

St. Thomas Aquinas at Spotswood, 1 p.m.

Rahway at Plainfield, 1 p.m.

South Plainfield at Summit, 1 p.m.

Montclair-Kimberly at Pingry, 2 p.m.

Shabazz at Immaculata, 2 p.m.

Hillsborough at Phillipsburg, 6 p.m.

Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central, 7 p.m.

Governor Livingston at Bernards, 7 p.m.

Wall (2-0) at Jackson Memorial (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m. 

Something has to give here as these two state-ranked teams meet for the third season in a row. It will also be the third straight season the two have met at Jackson Memorial's Jack Munley Field, a.k.a "The Jungle''. The two have split meetings the last two seasons. With Jackson Memorial winning in overtime in 2018 and Wall 24-0 last season when it scored all its points in the fourth quarter. Wall, ranked No. 5 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25, has scored 99 points in its first two games against Point Pleasant Boro and Neptune. Its starters have had limited snaps in the second half of those games. Jackson Memorial has recorded two straight shutouts, and last week in its 26-0 win over Manasquan, it did not allow the Warriors a single yard of offense. That's right, Manasquan had 0 yards of offense. The game features two of the best running backs in the Shore Conference in Casey Larkin for Wall and Will Towns for Jackson Memorial. Expect a low-scoring slug fest.

Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0) at Red Bank Catholic (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m. 

These two former Thanksgiving rivals meet in the body of the season for the third straight season after the Thanksgiving portion of the series ended after the 2013 season and the teams did not meet from 2014-2017. The two have split the last two meetings with Red Bank Catholic hanging on for a 14-13 win in 2018 and Rumson-Fair Haven recording a 20-14 win in the opener last season. Rumson-Fair Haven's defense, led by safety Ryan Ruane, linemen Jack Kelly and Charles Moriarity, has allowed just nine points in its two games and came up with three interceptions and four turnovers in a 28-0 win over Long Branch last week. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 7 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 20, also have a breakaway running back in senior John Volker, an efficient quarterback in Josh Harmon and a very good receiver in Patrick Jamin. Red Bank Catholic opened with a 10-3 win over Mater Dei Prep when its defense stopped the Seraphs twice inside the 10-yard line in the final five minutes. They were then upended 32-25 by Middletown South last week in a game in which they fell behind 17-0. End Alex Bauman and tackle Jake Louro lead the Caseys' defense and quarterback Anthony Borriello and receiver Najih Rahman have been a potent combination on offense. 

Toms River South (2-0) at Donovan Catholic (2-0), Friday, 6:30 p.m. 

Toms River South, which is 2-0 for the first time since 2015, will not have to go far to play this game. The two schools are located about a half-mile apart on Hooper Avenue, Toms River. It could be the first time these two have met. Toms River South has scored 70 points in its first two games and has led by quarterback and four-year starter Jack Huber and running back Gerry Ferrigno. Donovan Catholic, ranked No. 15 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25, has scored 89 points in its first two games and has received big plays from running back Jahdir Loftland and receiver and Long Branch transfer Jayon Farrar among others. 

Southern (2-0) at Toms River North (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m. 

Southern, which is 2-0 for the first time since 2012, will be trying to move to 3-0 for the first time since it started the 2008 season 4-0. The Rams' 2012 and 2008 teams both advanced to NJSIAA sectional championship games. Southern, trying to defeat Toms River North for the first time since 2017, gave a Mariners' team that went 9-2 last season all it could handle before it was defeated 17-12. Junior running back Jaiden Brown, who ran for 222 yards and four TDs in the Rams' 28-13 win over Brick Memorial last week, is one of the Shore's best running backs. Toms River North, which rebounded from a 28-21 loss at Toms River South in the opener with a 19-14 win at Brick last week, has one of the Shore's best passing attacks, led by senior quarterback Jake Kazanowsky.

Middletown South (1-1) at Mater Dei Prep (1-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. 

The schedule changes caused by the pandemic have led what might be the first meeting between these two Middletown schools. Middletown South has been a power in the Shore Conference since the late 1980's. Mater Dei has become a Shore power the last five seasons. Both teams rebounded from season-opening defeats with wins last week. Middletown South, which was defeated 14-10 by Long Branch in its opener, upended Red Bank Catholic 32-25 as sophomore quarterback Tom Schork ran for two TDs and returned an interception for a TD. Mater Dei Prep rebounded with a 28-17 win at Middletown South. The Seraphs have one of the best linemen in the state in University of Michigan recruit Dominick Giudice. They also have Temple University-recruit Rakhim Cooper on the offensive and defensive lines. 

Friday

Brick at Toms River East, 6 p.m.

Brick Memorial at Lacey, 6:30 p.m.

Toms River South at Donovan Catholic, 6:30 p.m.

Southern at Toms River North 7 p.m.

Middletown North at Long Branch, 7 p.m.

Rumson-Fair Haven at Red Bank Catholic, 7 p.m.

Keyport at Shore, 7 p.m.

Wall at Jackson Memorial, 7 p.m.

Jackson Liberty at Neptune, 7 p.m.

Ocean at Raritan, 7 p.m.

St. John Vianney at Matawan, 7 p.m.

Red Bank at Holmdel, 7 p.m.

Central at Barnegat, 7 p.m.

Pinelands at Manchester, 7 p.m. 

A.L. Johnson at Point Beach, 7 p.m. 

Saturday

Asbury Park at Keansburg, 11 a.m.

Freehold at Marlboro, 12 p.m.

Howell at Colts Neck, 12 p.m.

Middletown South at Mater Dei, 1 p.m.

Monmouth at Lakewood, 1 p.m.

Manasquan at Point Boro, 2 p.m. 

Monday

Jackson Liberty at Neptune, 6 p.m. 

Delbarton (2-0) at Don Bosco (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

Delbarton catapulted to No. 8 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25 thanks to last week’s 24-14 victory over DePaul. The Green Wave repeatedly stifled DePaul in the red zone, led by senior Dylan Miccolis, who had 14 tackles, and senior Jake Jarmolowich, who had two interceptions. Don Bosco, meanwhile, was neutralized by reigning Non-Public Group 4 champion St. Peter’s Prep in last week’s 21-7 loss. Senior QB Jake Robbins, sophomore RB Ronnie Heath and the Ironmen offense need to bust multiple big plays to prevail. Conversely, Delbarton’s attack, featuring senior QB Cole Freeman, who threw for 226 yards and two scores against DePaul, needs to forge sustained drives against a very good defense.

St. Joseph (Montvale) (1-1) at St. Peter’s Prep (2-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.

Top-ranked St. Peter’s hosts another powerhouse from Bergen County in what is the state’s marquee Week 3 matchup. The Hudson County program shut down visiting Don Bosco last week, 21-7, and its defense might be the best in the state. St. Joseph, ranked No. 4, counters with one of the state’s premier running backs in senior Audric Estime, who carried 26 times for 286 yards and four TD in last week’s 49-21 victory over Seton Hall Prep. Green Knights senior QB Dorian Nowell must provide running and passing support to balance the attack. St. Peter’s offense counters with elusive All-State senior QB Tahj Bullock, who against Don Bosco threw for 89 yards and two TD and ran for 85 yards and a score. Bullock creates big plays, and St. Joseph needs to minimize that and control the ball behind Estime.

West Morris (2-0) at Sparta (1-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Three of the last four matchups between West Morris and Sparta have been decided by single-digit points. This will be the biggest test for both teams thus far. The Wolfpack come in averaging 34.5 points per game after wins over Roxbury and Morristown, while the Spartans, the No. 18 team in USA Today Network New Jersey’s Top 25, scored 46 in their season opener against Jefferson. Senior Kevin Finlay and junior Trevor Hillier have split passing duties for West Morris, which for the most part has split its rushing duties between Chris Bell and Luke Doerr-Fredrickson. The strength of Sparta’s game is its passing attack led by Austen Frattura and a stable of steady receivers.

High Point (0-1) at Newton (0-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Which team can outscore the other? When the Wildcats and Braves match up, it will be a game featuring two of the more diverse offenses in Sussex County. High Point proved its potential last week in a 34-20 loss to Parsippany Hills, with Alex Buchwald surpassing 100 yards passing, Carson Guiry with more than 100 rushing and Nick Douma eclipsing the century mark receiving. The Braves will be making their first appearance of the season after missing the opening two weeks due to positive COVID tests. They have a full arsenal of offensive weapons back from last season’s 8-3 unit. They will be led by junior quarterback Jack Young who threw for 1,622 yards and 16 touchdowns and ran for another 807 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

Friday

Hopatcong at North Warren, 5 p.m.

Ramapo at NV/Demarest, 6 p.m.

Bergenfield at Paramus, 6 p.m.

River Dell at Pascack Valley, 6 p.m.

Saddle Brook at New Milford, 6 p.m.

Mountain Lakes at Lakeland, 6 p.m.

Hackensack at Ridgewood, 6:30 p.m.

Northern Highlands at Wayne Valley, 6:30 p.m.

NEW Passaic Tech at North Brunswick, 7 p.m.

NV/Old Tappan at Wayne Hills, 7 p.m.

Dwight Morrow at Tenafly, 7 p.m.

Passaic Tech at Teaneck, 7 p.m.

Westwood at Dumont, 7 p.m. 

Bloomfield at Passaic, 7 p.m.

Bergen Tech at Fort Lee, 7 p.m.

Delbarton at Don Bosco, 7 p.m. 

Eastside at Clifton, 7 p.m.

Pascack Hills at Mahwah, 7 p.m. 

Garfield at Waldwick/Midland Park, 7 p.m. 

Lodi at Lyndhurst, 7 p.m.

Glen Rock at Harrison, 7 p.m.

Pompton Lakes at Hawthorne, 7 p.m. 

Cresskill at Becton, 7 p.m.

Palisades Park/Leonia at Elmwood Park, 7 p.m.

Emerson at Weehawken, 7 p.m.

Wallkill Valley at Boonton, 7 p.m.

Chatham at Mendham, 7 p.m.

Mountain Lakes at Kinnelon, 7 p.m.

Kittatinny at Vernon, 7 p.m.

Parsippany Hills at Montville, 7 p.m.

Morristown at Mount Olive, 7 p.m.

Parsippany at Pequannock, 7 p.m.

West Morris at Sparta, 7 p.m.

Sussex Tech at Whippany Park, 7 p.m.

Hackettstown at Lenape Valley, 7 p.m.

High Point at Newton, 7 p.m.

Union City at Randolph, 7 p.m.

Morris Catholic at Hudson Catholic, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Wood-Ridge at Park Ridge, noon

West Milford at Passaic Valley, 1 p.m. 

Paramus Catholic at Bergen Catholic, 1 p.m.

DePaul at Seton Hall Prep, 1 p.m.

St. Joseph at St. Peter’s Prep, 1 p.m.

Rutherford at Manchester, 1 p.m.

North Arlington at St. Mary, 1 p.m.

Ridgefield at Bogota, 1 p.m.

Kennedy at East Orange, 1 p.m.

Ramsey at Teaneck, 1 p.m.

Indian Hills at Fair Lawn, 2:30 p.m.

Pope John at Irvington, 1 p.m.

St. Joseph (Montvale) at St. Peter's Prep, 1 p.m.

Roxbury at Morris Knolls, 1 p.m.

Madison at Morris Hills, 2 p.m.

Newark Academy at Morristown-Beard, 2 p.m.

Hammonton (2-0) at St. Augustine (0-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

The Blue Devils will try to go to 3-0 for the first time since 2015 when they hit the road for the first time to this season with a trip to Richland. Hammonton’s ground attack has pounded out an average of 280 yards over its first two games. Senior Jaiden Abrams continues to establish himself as one of the state’s to go-to backs, rushing for 364 yards and six touchdowns through two games, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. St. Augustine started the season ranked in the top 10 in the state. COVID-19 shut the program down for a week and cancelled the opener against Vineland. When the Hermits finally took the field, they stumbled out of the game, falling to Millville 22-21 last week. Kanye Udoh rushed for 187 yards for St. Augustine, which will try to avoid going 0-2 for the second straight season.   

Willingboro (1-1) at Williamstown (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

One of the best games on the slate wasn’t even on the schedule a week ago. With several teams in South Jersey shutting down because of COVID-19, these two defending South/Central regional champions will meet in this showdown. After being shut out by Burlington Township in the opener, Willingboro’s offense got back on track in a 34-23 win over West Deptford. Quarterback Ah-Shaun Davis and running back Demie Sumo will test one of the state’s best defensive units. Williamstown gets its first home game after two successful road trips to Timber Creek and Kingsway. The Braves haven’t yielded a touchdown in two games, allowing just a pair of field goals. Williamstown’s defense is a star-studded unit at all three levels including lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku, linebacker Joey Racobaldo and defensive back Brody Colbert.

St. Joseph (1-1) at Millville (1-1), Friday, 6 p.m.

St. Joseph earned its first win under its new school name – St. Joseph Academy – with a 30-6 win over Pleasantville. The Wildcats’ defense shined as Jahqir Haley and Keshon Griffin each had interceptions in the victory. Millville will face a South Jersey Top 10-ranked opponent for the third straight week. After a 27-22 loss to Hammonton, the Thunderbolts shocked St. Augustine with a 22-21 decision last week. Millville’s offense has been productive so far behind quarterback Nate Robbins and running back LeQuint Allen.

Highland (0-1) at Timber Creek (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.

This battle of Black Horse Pike School District rivals always raises the intensity level. Highland has won the last two meetings by a combined five points, including last year’s 21-17 victory. However, the much anticipated showdown between Johnny Martin and his former team won’t happen. Martin, a Temple commit, announced last week on social media that he will not play the remainder of the season and will focus on getting ready for college. After three straight 1,000-yard seasons at Highland, the running back transferred to Timber Creek over the summer. He played one game for the Chargers, rushing 17 times for 58 yards in a 21-0 loss to Wiliamstown. Highland opened its season with a 35-0 loss to Kingsway before its second game was cancelled after Clearview was shut down because of COVID-19.

Friday

Burlington Twp. at Cinnaminson, 5 p.m.

Camden at Shawnee, 6 p.m.

Overbrook at Cumberland, 6 p.m.

Egg Harbor Twp. at Absegami, 6 p.m.

Atlantic City at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.

Vineland at Holy Spirit, 6 p.m.

St. Joseph at Millville, 6 p.m.

Hammonton at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.

Gloucester Catholic at Clayton, 6 p.m.

Lindenwold at Wildwood, 6 p.m.

Pleasantville at Mainland, 6 p.m.

Maple Shade at Gloucester, 6:30 p.m.

Pennsauken at Cherry Hill West, 6:30 p.m.

Lenape at Seneca, 7 p.m.

Cherokee at Eastern, 7 p.m.

Washington Twp. at Kingsway, 7 p.m.

Willingboro at Williamstown, 7 p.m.

Highland at Timber Creek, 7 p.m.

Triton at Paul VI, 7 p.m.

Haddonfield at Collingswood, 7 p.m.

Camden Catholic at Robbinsville 7 p.m.

Penns Grove at Delsea, 7 p.m.

Deptford at Woodstown, 7 p.m.

Pemberton at Moorestown, 7 p.m.

Northern Burlington at Hightstown, 7 p.m.

Riverside at Bordentown, 7 p.m.

Palmyra at Florence, 7 p.m.

Buena at Oakcrest, 7 p.m.

Princeton at Pitman, 7 p.m.

Lower Cape May at Schalick, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Woodbury at Haddon Twp, 10:30 a.m.

Sterling at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.

Middle Twp. at Audubon, 11 a.m.

Bishop Eustace at Cherry Hill East, 11 .m.

Glassboro at Salem, noon

Ocean City at Cedar Creek, noon

Winslow at Woodrow Wilson, 1 p.m.