Vote! Who should be New Jersey’s High School Football Player of the Week? – Oct. 7, 2025

Here are a dozen candidates for your voting consideration

High School on SI

Each week during the fall sports season, High School On SI New Jersey will gather and compile the top high school performances across the state.

Now, it’s your turn to choose a standout among the pack, the best of the best.

Want to nominate an athlete? Please email  John Beisser at jbeisser86@gmail.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @HighSchoolonSI.

In last week’s poll, Franklin High School junior quarterback Jah’naad Cadyc came out on top by garnering 48% of the votes to edge the second-place finisher, senior quarterback Jack Cannon of Holmdel High School, who was selected on 46% of the ballots.

Editor’s Note: Our high school player of the week and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

Voting ends Oct. 12 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The winner will be announced in next week’s poll.

OK, it’s time to get started with this week’s candidates, each of whom is listed in alphabetical order below.

Khalil Bangura, Bordentown, Sr., WR/DB

The senior delivered an outstanding performance in Bordentown’s 27-7 victory over Robbinsville. Bangura snagged four interceptions, returning one 65 yards for a touchdown, while adding two pass breakups, six tackles, and a tackle for loss. Offensively, he raced 82 yards for a touchdown on a reverse. The Scotties have now won four straight games following an opening loss to Burlington City.

Charles Barbour, Lindenwold, Sr., WR/DB

In a 27-22 defeat to Pitman, the Lindenwold senior set a South Jersey record with 293 receiving yards, surpassing the previous mark of 290 set by Holy Cross’ Isaac Irby in 1999. Barbour hauled in 10 receptions, including three touchdown catches of 69, 62, and 9 yards, delivering a historic performance.

Dylan Boehm, Somerville, Fr., QB

Boehm orchestrated a 41-20 rout of previously unbeaten Summit with precise short-yardage passing. The freshman completed 13-of-16 passes for 353 yards and four touchdowns to Aidan Vesuvio-Bush, Dario Lozano, Justin Bowen, and James Hampton. Boehm’s 50-of-85 for 703 yards and six touchdowns has fueled Somerville’s three-game win streak.

Al-Naiquan Boseman, Carteret, Jr., RB

Boseman erupted for a career-high 232 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in a 45-0 rout of New Brunswick, ending Carteret’s three-game skid. Scoring on runs of 1, 2, 3, and 8 yards in the first half, he built a 39-0 lead. Boseman has 607 yards and five touchdowns this season, with 1,228 yards and 12 career touchdowns.

Marvin Burroughs, Atlantic City, So., QB

The sophomore standout threw for a career-best 365 yards and six touchdowns, completing 13-of-18 passes in a 55-10 win over Vineland. His touchdown passes covered 40, 72, 55, 37, 85, and 11 yards. Burroughs has amassed 1,367 yards and 16 touchdowns this season in his first year as the Vikings’ starter.

Carson Fitch, Mountain Lakes, Sr., RB

Fitch dominated with 256 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns in a 49-21 win over Madison. The senior’s 40-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Mountain Lakes the lead, and his 72-yard score in the fourth sealed the victory. This marked Fitch’s second career 200-yard rushing game.

Jayden Gonzalez, Bogota, Sr., QB/DB

Gonzalez delivered a jaw-dropping performance in a 61-60 double-overtime thriller over Weehawken, totaling 407 yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for 200 yards and four scores while passing for 207 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. His six-yard touchdown run in double overtime set up the game-winning extra point.

Cameron Hayes-Durina, Metuchen, Sr., QB

Hayes-Durina threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-27 passing, adding 50 yards rushing on 14 carries, in a 36-13 win over rival Highland Park. The victory marked Metuchen’s eighth straight in the historic series, which began in 1937, though Highland Park leads 61-27-1.

Jason Lajara, Brick Memorial, Sr., QB

Lajara accounted for seven touchdowns in a 55-41 win over No. 17 Holmdel, completing 26-of-32 passes for 411 yards and four scores while rushing for 116 yards and three touchdowns. His passing touchdowns included a 52-yard throw to Nazeer Whittaker, a 14-yarder to Shawn Fowler, a 12-yard pass to Nyzier Matthews, and a 21-yard toss to Joe Livio.

Nick Kurilko, Newton, Sr., RB/LB

Kurilko powered Newton’s 55-14 win over Jefferson with a career-best 209 yards on 19 carries and five touchdowns. His three third-quarter scores blew the game open, securing a four-possession lead. Kurilko, a standout in the American-Blue division, has 10 touchdowns over his last two games.

Nico Sampson, Bayonne, Sr., QB

Sampson dazzled with 325 yards and five touchdowns on 18-of-22 passing in a 44-15 win over Clifton. He added a six-yard rush and three two-point conversions (two passing, one rushing). With 11 passing touchdowns and just one interception this season, Sampson has also scored twice on the ground.

Sean Smith, Barringer, Jr., RB/DB

Smith sparked Barringer’s 34-0 win over Paterson Kennedy, snapping a 20-game losing streak, with 177 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries. His breakaway runs bolstered a Blue Bears offense that had only scored four touchdowns in its first four games, with junior QB Iziyan Wooten adding two passing scores.

About Our Athlete of the Week Voting
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals.Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes — even thousands — and that’s okay! The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports.Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.