LOOKING BACK AT N.J.’S RICH FOOTBALL HISTORY: NO. 1 TEAMS FROM 2000-2019

Over the past two decades, New Jersey high school football has produced some tremendous teams led by dynamic coaches and dominating players. Between 2000-2019, four Non-Public programs have been crowned No. 1 - highlighted by eight-time selection Don Bosco Prep. St. Joseph (Mont.) walked away as the state’s best four times, with St. Peter’s Prep (twice) and Bergen Catholic rounding out the field. Middletown South proved to be the top public-school program, earning the top spot three times - including 2004 and 2005 with Knowshon Moreno leading the charge. Hackensack and Jackson Memorial kicked things off in 2000 and 2001. Wall kicked off the next 20 years with its selection as the No. 1 team this season. But for now, take a look below as we re-visit the state’s No. 1 teams in high school football from 2000-2019 - according to The Star-Ledger/NJ.com’s season-ending Top 20 polls - and what made them special. Bergen Catholic drills St. Peter's Prep, 41-14 Rich Hansen directed St. Peter's Prep to a pair of No. 1 finishes in 2014 and 2019. The longtime coach recently stepped down after 33 years at the helm.NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 2019: St. Peter’s Prep (11-1) Coach: Rich Hansen Recap: The Marauders defeated Don Bosco Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 final to claim the top spot. They won all three of their postseason games - Notre Dame, St. Augustine and DBP - by eight points or less and were led by junior quarterback Tahj Bullock. It was the 17th state championship in program history, sealed when Quentin Lemon blocked a field-goal attempt and Avery Powell scooped it up and ran 65 yards for a TD. 2018: St. Joseph (Mont.) (10-2) Coach: Augie Hoffmann Recap: The Green Knights claimed their fourth No. 1 ranking of the decade as they defeated Bergen Catholic in the Non-Public Group 4 final. It was their 19th state title, with NJ.com Player of the Year Howard Cross leading a relentless defense with 76 tackles and 9 1/2 sacks. Following a regular-season loss to Bergen Catholic, they won their final six in a row - capped with a 13-0 decision against BC in the state final at MetLife Stadium. 2017: Bergen Catholic (10-2) Coach: Nunzio Campanile Recap: The Crusaders won their first Non-Public Group 4 title since 2004 with a dominant 44-7 victory over St. Peter’s Prep in what proved to be Campanile’s final game as head coach. After a 1-2 start, they won their final nine straight and finished unbeaten against in-state competition. BC was led by quarterback Johnny Langan, running back Josh McKenzie and defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste. BC averaged better than 34 points per game. 2016: St. Joseph (Mont.) (9-2) Coach: Augie Hoffmann Recap: The Green Knights won their 18th state championship, downing DePaul 26-17 as junior QB Nick Patti threw for 209 yards and four touchdowns in the Non-Public Group 3 final. They relied on a big, physical offensive line to pave the way for an explosive offense that delivered big plays down the stretch. Following a regular-season loss to Don Bosco Prep, they won their final six games - averaging just under 36 points per game during that stretch. Union defeats St. Joseph (Metuchen) - NJ Football - Oct. 24, 2020 Finalists for NJ.com’s football Player of the Year award, 2020 NJ.com announces finalists for its 2020 football Player and Coach of the year awards 2015: Middletown South (12-0) Coach: Steve Antonucci Recap: The Eagles capped a perfect season with a 35-7 win over Phillipsburg in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 final and became the first public school to claim the top spot since 2005, when Middletown South also held down No. 1. The team’s defense allowed just 7.4 points per game and shut out four opponents, while also winning games by nearly 34 points. James McCarthy, Maxx Imsho and Dylan Rogers spearheaded the defense, while Cole Rogers rushed for 1,545 yards and 24 touchdowns. They won every game by at least 18 points. 2014: St. Peter’s Prep (11-1) Coach: Rich Hansen Recap: The Marauders defeated Paramus Catholic at MetLife Stadium to win the Non-Public Group 4 title. It was the first state championship in nine seasons, while also going undefeated against New Jersey teams. They were led by Notre Dame-bound quarterback Brandon Wimbush and Alabama-bound defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. Wimbush was the Offensive Player of the Year. The lone loss came on the road against IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. They closed out the season with an eight-game winning streak, averaging just over 49 points per game. No. 1 teams - 2000- 2019 St. Joseph (Mont.) head coach Tony Karcich directed the Green Knights to back-to-back No 1 rankings in 2012 and 2013.SL 2013: St. Joseph (Mont.) (10-1) Coach: Tony Karcich Recap: Defeating Pope John 62-14 in the Non-Public Group 3 final, the Green Knights bounced back from their Thanksgiving loss to Don Bosco Prep to secure the season-ending win and No. 1 ranking. They averaged 40.6 points per game and allowed just 14.5 against a schedule that included six Top 20 teams. Senior quarterback Spencer Aukamp was the Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for 1,927 yards and 18 touchdowns. 2012: St. Joseph (Mont.) (10-2) Coach: Tony Karcich Recap: Following a loss at Paramus Catholic, the Green Knights went on to win their final six games - highlighted by the Non-Public Group 3 crown with a 37-9 victory over Delbarton in the title game at Rutgers. They outscored opponents 246-73 during that run. The team was led by junior linebacker Mark Fossati,, who was named Defensive Player of the Year. He collected 154 tackles, three forced fumbles, 2 1/2 sacks and was also the team’s kicker, punter and fullback. All-State wide receiver Ricky Jeune had 36 catches for 882 yards and 10 TDs. St. Peter's Prep at Don Bosco Prep, 11-06-09 Greg Toal was at the helm for Don Bosco Prep as it was named Team of the Year eight times between 2002 and 2011 - including a remarkable six in a row.SL 2011: Don Bosco Prep (11-0) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: Winners of the Non-Public Group 4 title with a 42-14 victory over Bergen Catholic, the Ironmen were rarely challenged en route to the top ranking in the state as well as a national championship. They defeated teams from California, Florida and Ohio and featured over a dozen Division I recruits. Darius Hamilton was named the Defensive Player of the Year. 2010: Don Bosco Prep (12-0) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: The closest game this team had all season was in the Non-Public Group 4 final, a 37-27 victory over Bergen Catholic. The Ironmen outscored opponents 535-97, held eight to seven points or less and recorded four shutouts. Lars Larsen was a first team All-State pick, leading the team with 85 tackles and four interceptions. The team also had a pair of first team All-State selections on offense. Paul Canevari rushed for 1,755 yards and scored 34 total touchdowns, while lineman Andrew Benvenuto helped open holes and pass protected for an offense that generated 3,750 yards. No. 1 teams since 2000 Don Bosco junior Darius Hamilton knocks down a Brandon Napoleon pass in the first quarter of a matchup between the top-ranked Ironmen and St. Peter's Prep in the 2010 Non-Public Group 4 playoffs.SL 2009: Don Bosco Prep (12-0) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: Opening with wins over De La Salle (CA) and at Prattville (AL), Don Bosco cruised to its fifth perfect season since 2002. The Ironmen defeated St Peter’s Prep 35-15 in the Non-Public Group 4 final at Giants Stadium, capping a year in which they outscored opponents 553-131. Running back Tony Jones earned first team All-State honors, rushing for 1,378 yards and scoring 36 touchdowns. Offensive lineman Brandon Sacco, defensive lineman Bryan Murphy and linebacker Steele Divitto were also first-team picks. 2008: Don Bosco Prep (11-1) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: The Ironmen lost their season opener, 17-10 against St. Xavier (OH), then went on an 11-game run en route to the No. 1 ranking. They defeated Bergen Catholic 34-13 in the Non-Public Group 4 final and held eight of their last 11 opponents to seven points or less. All-State running back Dillon Romain rushed for 1,436 yards and scored 26 touchdowns, while the defense featured lineman Steele Divitto, linebacker Nick Vetterlein and back Stephen Pedhoretzky. Finalists for NJ.com's football Coach of the year awards, 2020 Finalists for NJ.com’s football Coach of the Year award, 2020 NJ.com announced finalists for its 2020 football Coach of the Year award 2007: Don Bosco Prep (12-0) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: Putting together a second-straight perfect season, the Ironmen defeated St. Peter’s Prep 42-14 in the Non-Public Group 4 final. They held eight opponents to seven points or less, with All-State linebacker Nick Mistretta and safety Alex DiSanzo as well as linebacker Guy Germinario leading the way. Tony Jones and Dillon Romain combined for 32 touchdowns to pace the offensive attack. 2006: Don Bosco Prep (12-0) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: The Ironmen defeated St Peter’s Prep 41-0 in the Non-Public Group 4 final behind the efforts of defensive end Justin Trattou, linebacker Ike Garrow and safety Alexander DiSanzo. This team was as dominant as they come, outscoring teams 540-77 and posting six shutouts - including their final three games. After a 31-28 win over St. Joe’s Prep of Philadelphia in the season opener and a 21-0 road victory against Centerville (OH), the final 10 wins were by at least 24 points. No. 1 teams - 2000- 2019 Knowshon Moreno led Middletown South to back-to-back No. 1 rankings in 2004 and 2005.SL 2005: Middletown South (12-0) Coach: Steve Antonucci Recap: The Eagles extended their winning streak to 36 straight as two-time Offensive Player of the Year Knowshon Moreno and All-State linebackers Nick Macaluso and Keith Heaney led the way. The defense held 10 opponents to seven points or less, posting four shutouts. Middletown South averaged over 40 points per game and outscored the opposition 483-75. Moreno, who would go on to play at the University of Georgia and in the NFL, rushed for 1,629 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. He finished his career with 6,268 rushing yards and a state-record 128 touchdowns. 2004: Middletown South (12-0) Coach: Steve Antonucci Recap: Led by Offensive Player of the Year Knowshon Moreno, the Eagles extended their winning streak to 24 in a row with a second straight Central Jersey Group 3 title. They held 10 opponents to seven points or less, including six shutouts, and outscored the opposition 484-67. 2003: Don Bosco Prep (11-0) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: Voted the greatest team in N.J. football history at the time, the Ironmen defeated Bergen Catholic in the Non-Public Group 4 final at Giants Stadium. During its unbeaten campaign, they defeated then-No. 2 teams St. Joseph (Mont.) and St. Peter’s Prep by better than 40 points each time. The team featured a trio of two-time All-State first-team picks in Mike Teel, Brian Toal and Marquise Liverpool. Edison NB football These statewide football stat leaders led the charge in a strange 2020 season Check out the leaders of 7 statistical categories for the 2020 New Jersey football season 2002: Don Bosco Prep (12-0) Coach: Greg Toal Recap: With its first-team defense allowing just four touchdowns all season, the Ironmen seized the top ranking after defeating Bergen Catholic in the Non-Public Group 4 final. Mike Teel threw for 2,159 yards and 28 touchdowns to five weapons - Brian Toal, John Lopez, Marquise Liverpool, Michael Ray Garvin and Tyler Palumbo. Most games were settled by halftime. 2001: Jackson (12-0) Coach: Reggie Lawrence Recap: The Jags repeated as South Jersey Group 4 champions behind the efforts of All-State selections Nick Castellano, Mike Cortese, Ray Brown, Ryan Niemiec and Joe Serratelli. It was the second straight perfect season for a squad that outscored opponents 403-91. 2000: Hackensack (12-0) Coach: Ralph Dass Recap: The Comets won their second straight North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 title en route to the first No. 1 ranking in program history. The team returned 13 starters from its 1999 championship team, led by two-time All-State lineman Karon Singleton. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Kevin Minnick covers the West Jersey Football League. He can be reached at kminnick@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports