As October winds down and the air turns crisp, New Jersey’s high school sports scene is in full swing, filled with drama, determination, and championship dreams. Across the Garden State, student-athletes are closing out the fall season with thrilling finishes in soccer, football, cross-country, and more — while fans gear up for playoff excitement.
At the center of the week’s action is the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Boys Soccer Tournament, where Notre Dame High School once again proved why it remains a powerhouse on the pitch. On Wednesday night at Hopewell Valley High’s Ackerson Field, the Irish secured a 3–1 victory over Lawrence to earn a trip back to the championship game.
Senior standout Luca Ercolano opened the scoring just four minutes into the match with a remarkable corner kick that sailed straight into the net — a goal he had been chasing since his freshman year. “I’ve tried that a lot, but that’s the first time I did it,” Ercolano said afterward. “We wanted to come out and score early, so that helped us 100 percent.”
He didn’t stop there. Fifteen minutes later, Ercolano doubled Notre Dame’s lead with a smooth finish off a pass from teammate Landon Hoenisch, tying the two for the team scoring lead with 18 goals each this season.
Senior Tyler Javick added a third goal early in the second half, assisted by Riley Miracola, giving head coach Bryan Fisher’s squad full control of the semifinal.
Lawrence goalkeeper Tim Dowd did his best to keep the Cardinals in the game, finishing with 10 saves, while freshman Luis Sepulveda found the net in the second half to make it 3–1. But Notre Dame’s defense, led by junior keeper Anthony Merluse, held strong, securing the Irish a second straight trip to the CVC Final — a rematch with Princeton, who defeated them 1–0 in last year’s championship.
For the Irish, the mission is clear: redemption. “Now we’ve got to get the job done,” Ercolano said confidently.
While the soccer spotlight shines brightly, New Jersey’s broader high school sports calendar is just as electric.
The NJSIAA football playoffs begin this weekend, bringing intense competition to fields across the state. Higher-seeded teams will host sectional quarterfinal matchups in what promises to be a weekend of highlight-worthy plays and dramatic finishes. One of the most talked-about games is the North 1, Group 4 rematch between Chatham and Wayne Valley, where both teams are seeking redemption from their last meeting.
This year’s New Jersey Super 25 football rankings have shifted after several upsets. St. Joseph (Montvale) stunned Bergen Catholic, while Delbarton’s win over DePaul shook up the top of the standings. Fans can follow live results, video, and game recaps as the playoff action unfolds from October 30 through November 1.
New Jersey High School Football Top 25 State Rankings (Oct. 28, 2025)
| Rank | Team | Overall Record | Last Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don Bosco Prep | 9-0 | Won vs. Paramus Catholic |
| 2 | St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) | 6-2 | Won vs. Bergen Catholic (OT) |
| 3 | Bergen Catholic | 6-2 | Lost vs. St. Joseph Regional (OT) |
| 4 | Winslow | 7-2 | Won vs. Cherokee |
| 5 | St. Peter’s Prep | 7-1 | Won vs. Pope John XXIII |
| 6 | Glassboro | 9-0 | Won vs. Woodstown |
| 7 | Old Tappan | 8-0 | Won vs. Pascack Valley |
| 8 | Washington Township | 9-0 | Won vs. Timber Creek |
| 9 | West Morris | 9-0 | Won vs. Mount Olive |
| 10 | Ramapo | 7-1 | Won vs. Northern Highlands |
| 11 | Burlington Township | 9-0 | Won vs. Cinnaminson |
| 12 | The Hun School | 7-2 | Won vs. The First Academy (FL) |
| 13 | St. Joseph (Metuchen) | 8-0 | Won vs. Woodbridge |
| 14 | Phillipsburg | 7-1 | Won vs. Bridgewater-Raritan |
| 15 | Atlantic City | 7-1 | Won vs. Hammonton |
| 16 | Northern Highlands | 6-2 | Lost vs. Ramapo |
| 17 | Red Bank Catholic | 8-1 | Won vs. Marlboro |
| 18 | Delbarton | 4-4 | Won vs. DePaul |
| 19 | St. Augustine Prep | 6-2 | Lost vs. Millville (OT) |
| 20 | Holmdel | 6-2 | Won vs. Middletown North |
| 21 | Kingsway | 7-2 | Won vs. Williamstown |
| 22 | DePaul | 5-3 | Lost vs. Delbarton |
| 23 | Brick Memorial | 7-2 | Won vs. Jackson Memorial |
| 24 | Camden | 6-2 | Won vs. Lenape |
| 25 | Paramus Catholic | 3-6 | Lost vs. Don Bosco Prep |
Note: The rankings were significantly influenced by several upsets in the last week of the regular season, including St. Joseph Regional’s overtime victory over Bergen Catholic and Delbarton’s win against DePaul.
In soccer, beyond the CVC, state tournament brackets have been finalized for both boys’ and girls’ divisions. The Bergen County boys’ final is set for November 1, with top seeds Ramapo and Bergen Catholic facing off. Rutgers Prep claimed the Somerset County boys’ title after a tense penalty shootout, and Bound Brook’s girls’ team snapped a tough losing streak with a key win over J.P. Stevens — a testament to the persistence found throughout New Jersey athletics.
Cross-country fans are also in for a big weekend, with sectional meets scheduled for Saturday. One name drawing attention is Juliana Catalani of Maple Shade, a standout runner who has emerged as a strong contender in the South section after several impressive finishes this fall.
On the turf, field hockey has delivered its own share of nail-biters. Central Regional advanced to the Shore Conference Championship after knocking off Toms River East, while Shawnee edged Delran in an overtime thriller that kept fans on their feet until the final whistle.
In gymnastics, St. John Vianney continued its dominance, claiming the Shore Conference title and setting the tone for upcoming state competition. The NJSIAA has also introduced new guidelines this season, including a recently announced rule concerning host families, aimed at improving oversight and player welfare in scholastic athletics.
As student-athletes push through the final stretch of the fall season, communities across New Jersey are coming together to celebrate not just the victories, but the spirit of teamwork, grit, and local pride that defines high school sports in the Garden State.
For even more updates, stories, and insights on high school athletics across the state, visit Explore New Jersey High School Sports — your destination for scores, highlights, and coverage of every season’s biggest moments.
From dramatic overtime wins to championship dreams on the horizon, New Jersey’s young athletes continue to remind us why local sports matter. They represent not just their schools, but the heart and resilience of the communities they play for.
Key dates for the remaining New Jersey high school fall sports championships are detailed below. All events are for the 2025 season.
Football
- Public School Playoffs:
- Round 1: October 31 or November 1.
- Sectional Finals: November 14 or 15.
- State Finals: November 28–December 3.
- Non-Public School Playoffs:
- Round 1: November 7 or 8.
- State Finals: November 28–December 3.
Soccer
- Boys Public Finals: November 22.
- Girls Public Finals: November 23.
- Boys Non-Public Finals: November 16.
- Girls Non-Public Finals: November 16.
Cross-country
- Sectionals: November 1 at various regional parks.
- State Championships: November 8 at Holmdel Park.
- Meet of Champions: November 15 at Holmdel Park.
Field hockey
- State Finals (Public & Non-Public): November 15 at Bordentown Regional High School.
Gymnastics
- Sectional Championships: November 1 at four locations.
- Team Championships: November 6 at Brick Memorial High School.
- Individual Championships: November 8 at Brick Memorial High School.
Girls volleyball
- State Finals (Public & Non-Public): November 22.
