9/15/25

The first two weeks of the 2025 New Jersey high school sports season have provided fascinating insights into how preseason expectations compare to on-field performance. With over 340 teams across multiple divisions, the data reveals both predictable outcomes and stunning surprises.

Top Performers Living Up to Expectations

• Princeton maintains elite status – Ranked #1 in 2024 with a 28-1 record, Princeton has started 2025 perfectly at 7-0 (1.000 win percentage), currently ranked #3 with a 33.68 PSR.
• Paul VI continues dominance – Last year’s #6 team (22-3 record) earned the #1 preseason ranking this season. The Eagles have gone 5-0 thus far.
• Old Bridge proving consistency – Moved from #12 (27-6 in 2024) to #2 this season, has been impressive with a perfect 5-0 start.
• Williamstown’s remarkable beginning – Was near perfect last season finishing at #2 in 2024 (32-1 record) earning a #5 in the preseason ranking. The Braves are perfect at 5-0 with lopsided wins this weekend over Southern and North Hunterdon.

Notable Risers: Teams Exceeding Expectations

• Jackson Township – A co-op between Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty, the NEW Jaguars have burst onto the scene at 5-0, ranking #31 with a 25.50 preseason rating.
• Northern Burlington – Despite being ranked #181 in 2024 (10-15 record), they’ve started 5-0 and climbed to #156
• Timber Creek – Off to an impressive 5-0 start, and should improve in the first computer ranking next weekend from their current #86
• Mother Seton – Great start with a 5-1 record and could threaten the top 50.

Concerning Early Struggles

• North Hunterdon’s steep decline – Were expected to improve from #26 (18-11 in 2024) to a preseason ranking of #18, but a 1-4 start has been rough despite playing some very high level teams.
• Morristown’s disappointing start – Despite a strong #18 ranking in 2024 (19-7), they’ve stumbled to 1-4 early this season.
• Montville’s perfect storm – Was expected to drop, after losing a heavy senior group, from #24 ranking (16-10 in 2024) to a projected #50 in the PSR but a 0-5 start may indicate further decline.
• Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s winless start – Last year’s #98 team has yet to win a game at 0-4
• IHA loss to Demarest – Is Demarest a new power or is IHA just a bot too young?
• Mendham & Morristown – Struggling early compared to expectations.

Perfect Starts Worth Watching

Undefeated Teams (6+ games):

• Princeton (7-0) – The only team with 7 wins
• Multiple teams at 6-0: Pinelands, Westfield, Livingston, and Holmdel are all off to amazing starts.

Impressive Starts:

• Paul VI, Old Bridge, Williamstown, St. Mary (Ruth.), Glen Rock, Union Catholic, Jackson Township, Rutherford, Cranford, Timber Creek, and several others at 5-0.
• Par Hills with an impressive start thus far at 4-0.

Statistical Insights

• Perfect records rare but meaningful – Only 47 teams maintain perfect records through two weeks.
• 21 Teams have yet to lose a set and are perfect thus far.
• 2024 success doesn’t guarantee 2025 performance – Several highly-ranked 2024 teams struggling early.

Key Takeaways

• Early season volatility – Rankings can shift dramatically based on just a few games
• Depth of competition – With over 340 teams, New Jersey’s high school sports landscape remains incredibly competitive
• Preseason rankings as baseline – While informative, early season performance quickly reveals the true contenders

The first two weeks have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting 2025 season, with established powers maintaining their positions while new challengers emerge to shake up the traditional hierarchy.