New Jersey is buzzing with excitement as high school football season kicks off, bringing back our Player of the Week polls. With the rush of the preseason behind them, teams are diving into the action as Week 2 of the regular season unfolds. Eight talented athletes have been nominated for this week’s SBLive’s New Jersey Football Player of the Week award for the period between September 5-7, giving fans the chance to help decide who stands out as the top athlete.
First off, congratulations to last week’s winner, Adam Shaw from Pascack Valley. Shaw shone brightly as a dual-threat quarterback, playing a vital role in the team’s impressive 31-14 victory over Rancocas Valley. He accounted for 233 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his skills on the field.
This week’s nominees include some standout performances. The Holmdel quarterback dazzled in a 42-10 win over Ocean Township, racking up 299 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. Another impressive performance came from a 2026 running back, Calhoun, who carried the ball 43 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns, leading his team to a 35-21 victory on the road against Massillon Washington in Ohio.
Beeler also made headlines by rushing for 157 yards on 25 carries and scoring three touchdowns in a 28-7 win over Pennsauken. Meanwhile, in Camden’s dominant 30-0 win over Kingsway, Braxton contributed 142 rushing yards and added a touchdown.
In Butler’s 47-0 blowout against Hawthorne, the quarterback completed 9-of-13 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns, while James from DePaul Catholic impressed with 173 rushing yards and a touchdown in a 28-17 win over Our Lady of Good Counsel from Maryland.
Brick Memorial showed tremendous defensive prowess in a 37-6 victory over Brick Township, with Tallmadge leading the defense with 12 tackles, including two for loss. Despite Cardone‘s efforts in a 42-33 loss to Howell—where he completed 18-of-28 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns—he still put up noteworthy numbers.
Fans are encouraged to participate in the voting, which closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 15th. There are no tangible awards for winning, but it’s a fun way to support local high school talent and schools. Remember to spread the word and vote as often as you like, but refrain from using any voting bots as those ballots will be removed.
Keep an eye out for the winner announcement in next week’s poll!
