Donovan’s Alex Staten springs through the line for good yardage as Donovan Catholic football dominated Rumson-Fair Haven in Toms River, NJ on October 2, 2026.

We're already halfway through high school football season in New Jersey, and there were more top performers during the week of Oct. 1-3.

Brearley's Ryan Nelson totaled six touchdowns, Donovan Catholic's Alex Staten rushed for 371 yards and a score, and Delran's Liam Simon returned two punts for touchdowns.

Those are just a few of this week's nominees for High School On SI New Jersey Football Player of the Week.

Read about all 12 candidates below and cast your vote. Voting will remain open through Oct. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The winner will be announced next week.

Nelson, a junior quarterback, completed 13 of 15 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns, and ran for 53 yards and two scores in Brearley's 48-13 victory over Roselle.

Staten, a senior running back, had 18 carries for 371 rushing yards and a touchdown in Donovan Catholic's dominant 51-13 win over Rumson-Fair Haven.

Simon, a sophomore, returned two punts for touchdowns (69 yards and 56 yards) and had a 40-yard receiving score in Delran's 41-6 blowout victory over Nottingham.

Pernell, a senior quarterback, went a perfect 12-of-12 for 247 passing yards and four touchdowns in Piscataway's 46-6 blowout win over Franklin.

Senatore, a senior running back, had 26 carries for 253 rushing yards and four touchdowns, along with two 2-point conversions and an interception on defense in Fort Lee's 28-21 victory over Pascack Hills.

Porter, a senior wide receiver and Georgia Tech commit, hauled in 11 catches for 169 receiving yards and two touchdowns in Bergen Catholic's 34-30 win over Don Bosco Prep.

Paskiewicz, a sophomore, rushed for 260 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries in West Deptford's 59-8 blowout victory over Overbrook.

Fairley, a senior quarterback, threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-30 passing, and ran for 34 yards and a score on 11 carries in North Plainfield's 28-27 win over Spotswood.

Moss, a senior wide receiver, hauled in eight catches for 128 receiving yards and a touchdown in Winslow Township's 31-24 victory over Red Bank Catholic.

Scheinman, a senior defensive back, registered 15 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks in Holmdel's 12-0 shutout win over Middletown South.

Watt, a senior, had 37 carries for 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns, along with an interception on defense in Clifton's 23-20 victory over Montclair.

Conway, a senior linebacker, recorded 17 tackles, 12 solo stops, four tackles for loss, and a sack in Timber Creek's dominant 43-0 shutout win over Absegami.