Bergen Catholic retains top spot

Bergen Catholic held on to the No. 1 spot — barely — in the North Jersey Big Six non-public football rankings after Week 7.

The Crusaders fought off No. 2 St. Joseph, 28-23, on Sunday in Oradell thanks to an interception in the final minutes and a win-sealing sack on fourth down in the final seconds.

Meanwhile, Passaic Tech remained No. 1 in the Public Top 20 after staying unbeaten with a 35-7 victory over East Orange. The Bulldogs are the unanimous No. 1 pick, after winning by a split decision the previous few weeks.

Unbeaten Westwood climbed one spot to No. 2 on the strength of a 30-7 victory over Lakeland. Unbeaten Ramapo climbed one spot to No. 3 following a 31-24 win over previously-unbeaten and then-No. 2 Old Tappan, which slipped to No. 4.

Wayne Valley, Mahwah and Pascack Hills returned to the Public Top 20 after registering victories. Wayne Valley and Pascack Hills dominated, while Mahwah knocked off then-No. 12 Paramus, 24-21.

All season long, the Varsity Aces will rank the Top 20 public-school teams and Big Six non-public teams in North Jersey. Here are the rankings after Week 7.

Public Top 20 rankings

20. Lyndhurst (4-3)

Last game: Lost to Park Ridge, 40-21 Next game: Friday vs. Hawthorne (5-2) 19. Pascack Hills (6-1)

Last game: Beat Bergen Tech, 43-0 Next game: Friday at Hopatcong (3-5)

18. Lakeland (5-3)

Last game: Lost to Westwood, 30-7 Next game: Friday at High Point (2-5)

17. Paramus (5-3)

Last game: Lost to Mahwah, 24-21 Next game: Friday vs. River Dell (1-6)

16. Hasbrouck Heights (5-2)

Last game: Beat New Milford, 28-0 Next game: Friday vs. Becton (4-3)

15. Hawthorne (5-2)

Last game: Lost to Rutherford, 28-20 Next game: Friday at Lyndhurst (4-3)

14. Mahwah (5-2)

Last game: Beat Paramus, 24-21 Next game: Friday vs. Dumont (4-3)

13. Passaic Valley (4-2)

Last game: Beat Wayne Hills, 40-7 Next game: Friday at Millburn (4-3)

12. Wayne Valley (4-4)

Last game: Beat Nutley, 27-7

Next game: Friday at Mount Olive (7-1)

11. Ridgewood (4-3)

Last game: Beat Montclair, 30-24 (OT) Next game: Friday vs. Ramapo (7-0)

10. Pascack Valley (5-2)

Last game: Beat River Dell, 48-27 Next game: Friday vs. Bergenfield (2-5)

9. Park Ridge (6-1)

Last game: Beat Lyndhurst, 40-21

Next game: Friday vs. Rutherford (7-0)

8. Waldwick/Midland Park (6-1)

Last game: Beat Pompton Lakes, 35-7

Next game: Friday at Butler (6-1)

7. Butler (6-1)

Last game: Beat Glen Rock, 27-20

Next game: Friday vs. Waldwick/Midland Park (6-1)

6. Northern Highlands (6-2)

Last game: Beat Clifton, 35-7

Next game: Friday vs. Wayne Hills (1-7) 5. Rutherford (7-0)

Last game: Beat Hawthorne, 28-20 Next game: Friday at Park Ridge (6-1)

4. Old Tappan (6-1)

Last game: Lost to Ramapo, 31-24 Next game: Friday vs. Demarest (1-7) 3. Ramapo (7-0)

Last game: Beat Old Tappan, 31-24

Next game: Friday at Ridgewood (4-3) 2. Westwood (7-0)

Last game: Beat Lakeland, 30-7 Next game: Friday vs. Ridgefield Park (2-5)

1. Passaic Tech (8-0)

Last game: Beat East Orange, 35-7 Next game: Thursday at Eastside (3-5) Others receiving votes: Hackensack (4-3), Teaneck (5-1), Weehawken (6-0).

Big Six rankings

6. Paramus Catholic (3-5)

Last game: Lost to St. Peter’s Prep, 2827

Next game: Friday at Don Bosco (3-4) 5. St. Peter’s Prep (1-6)

Last game: Beat Paramus Catholic, 2827

Next game: Friday vs. Bergen Catholic (6-1)

4. DePaul (3-4)

Last game: Lost to Pope John, 31-27 Next game: Saturday at Delbarton (6-1) 3. Don Bosco (3-4)

Last game: Beat Seton Hall Prep, 21-7 Next game: Friday vs. Paramus Catholic (3-5)

2. St. Joseph (5-2)

Last game: Lost to Bergen Catholic, 2823

Next game: Saturday vs. Seton Hall Prep (2-5)

1. Bergen Catholic (6-1)

Last game: Beat St. Joseph, 28-23 Next game: Friday at St. Peter’s Prep (1-6)

JULIAN LESHAY/SPECIAL TO NORTHJERSEY.COM Michael Delpome of Bergen Catholic catches a pass in the 3rd quarter of a game against St. Joseph Regional High School on Saturday in Oradell.