By Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The numbers game: Returning football statewide stat leaders, 2017
The most important stats in football are wins and losses, but that doesn't mean there aren't other important statistics. With the New Jersey football season just around the corner, NJ Advance Media has you covered with a statistical look back at last season's stat leaders who will be returning to the field this season.
PASSING
Mark Sullivan | For NJ Advance Media
1-Devin Leary, Timber Creek, Senior
Completion percentage: 62.6%, 198/316
Passing yards: 3,678
Touchdowns: 48
Interceptions: 4
2016 recap: The 2016 NJ.com Player of the Year after breaking the state record for touchdowns in a season, he is a favorite to repeat as winner and has committed to NC State.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
2-Sean Hopkins, Westwood, Senior
Completion percentage: 60.7%, 155/255
Passing yards: 2,219
Touchdowns: 29
Interceptions: 9
2016 recap: The No. 2 returning passer in the state regarding touchdowns, he led Westwood to the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 final last season.
Via YouTube
3-Austin Albericci, Demarest, Senior
Completion percentage: 66.6%, 152/228
Passing yards: 2,314
Touchdowns: 20
Interceptions: 8
2016 recap: The No. 2 returning passer in the state as far as passing yards go, he helped Demarest go 5-5 on the season and the Norsemen will look to be even better this season.
Via Twitter
4-Edwin Morales III, Howell, Senior
Completion percentage: 61.1%, 167/273
Passing yards: 2,259
Touchdowns: 26
Interceptions: 10
2016 recap: Howell only went 6-5 last season, but Morales is one of the reasons they can expect 2017 to be even better.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
5-Brian Clarkin, Caldwell, Senior
Completion percentage: 63.3%, 164/259
Passing yards: 2,204
Touchdowns: 22
Interceptions: 6
2016 recap: Clarkin was incredibly efficient last season and protected the ball well as Caldwell went 6-3-1.
RUSHING
Kenny Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
1-Ashante Worthy, Freehold Borough, Senior
Carries: 250
Rushing yards: 2049
Rushing touchdowns: 30
2016 recap: Worthy, one of the most dynamic backs in the state last season, leads all returning players in yardage and touchdowns on the ground.
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
2-Daniel Webb, Montclair, Senior
Carries: 209
Rushing yards: 2020
Rushing touchdowns: 21
2016 recap: While Webb may be undersized, he is as explosive as anyone in all of New Jersey and is a threat to score every time he gets the ball.
Chris Faytok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
3-Naim Mayfield, Manalapan, Senior
Carries: 199
Rushing yards: 1784
Rushing touchdowns: 23
2016 recap: One of the most dangerous weapons in the Shore Conference, he had the second-most rushing touchdowns in the state last season.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
4-Iverson Clement, Rancocas Valley, Senior
Carries: 211
Rushing yards: 1,467
Rushing touchdowns: 22
2016 recap: A workhouse back for Rancocas Valley, Clement ran for the third-most touchdowns in the state last season of all returning players.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
5-Chase Cramer, Newton, Senior
Carries: 173
Rushing yards: 1,452
Rushing touchdowns: 16
2016 recap: Cramer was a massive factor offensively, averaging nearly nine yards per carry as a junior.
RECEIVING
Via Twitter
1-James T. Miller, Caldwell, Senior
Receptions: 57
Receving yards: 1,043
Touchdowns: 15
2016 recap: A threat to score rushing or receiving and also a strong defensive back, Miller was one of the most prolific receivers in the state last season.
Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media
2-Jasiah Provillon, Irvington, Senior
Receptions: 52
Receiving yards: 969
Receiving touchdowns: 9
2016 recap: Tied for the most receptions in the state last season and the leader in yards from returning players, he's poised for an even more dominant senior campaign for the Essex County power.
Via Twitter
3-Keyshawn Cummings, Rahway, Senior
Receptions: 50
Receiving yards: 821
Receiving touchdowns: 12
2016 recap: Rahway had a surprisingly potent offense last season, and Cumming was a big reason why. Look for even more touchdowns from the player who led the all returning players in them last season.
Via HUDL
4-Jakob Green, Princeton, Senior
Receptions: 43
Receiving yards: 825
Receiving touchdowns: 8
2016 recap: One of the most dominant receivers in the WJFL, he had the second-most yards in the state last season for returning players.
Via Twitter
5-Naseim Brantley, Howell, Senior
Receptions: 46
Receiving yards: 773
Receiving touchdowns: 11
2016 recap: He accounted for the second-most receiving touchdowns last season from all returning players for a very dynamic Howell offense.
Jesse Bair | For NJ Advance Media
6-Marcial Ramos, Millville
Receptions: 39
Receiving yards: 739
Receiving touchdowns: 9
2016 recap: A major deep threat, Ramos averaged more than 18 yards per catch last season.
TACKLES
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
1-Vinny DePalma, DePaul, Senior
Tackles: 194
2016 recap: Arguably the best linebacker in the state, the Boston College-bound DePalma had 50 more tackles than anyone else in New Jersey last season.
Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media
2-Johnny Buchanan, St. John Vianney, Senior
Tackles: 140
2016 recap: One of the best available recruits in the state, he has a handful of offers and might be the best defender in the Shore Conference.
Lori M. Nichols | For NJ Advance Media
3-Ryan Parris, Shawnee, Senior
Tackles: 135
2016 recap: A dominant linebacker, he rounds out the top three tacklers in the state returning from last season.
Via HUDL
4-Ryan Hodgins, Mount Olive, Senior
Tackles: 133
2016 recap: One of the strongest defenders in Morris County, Hodgins is a dominant force at linebacker.
Via HUDL
5-Chike Nwankwo, Bridgewater-Raritan, Senior
Tackles: 130
2016 recap: A truly dominant defensive back, Nwankwo can make an impact by making plays on the ball or by racking up tackles.
SACKS
Via HUDL
T1-Nick Densieski, St. John Vianney, Senior
Sacks: 15
2016 recap: One of the most feared pass-rushers in the state, he's tied for the lead among returners with 15 sacks from last season.
Via HUDL
T1-Naiem Furlow, Highland, Senior
Sacks: 15
2016 recap: A pass-rushing machine at linebacker, he's tied for the lead among returners with 15 sacks last season.
Via HUDL
3-Nihym Anderson, Vineland, Senior
Sacks: 13
2016 recap: Absolutely terrorized quarterbacks from the linebacker position to rack up 13 sacks.
Via HUDL
4-Christian Montilla, Harrison, Senior
Sacks: 12
2016 recap: One of Hudson County's most feared pass-rushers from the defensive line position.
Via HUDL
T5-Nasier Givens, Orange, Senior
Sacks: 11
2016 recap: Givens is a force from the defensive end position, wreaking havoc on Essex County offenses.
Via Twitter
T5-Jason Modak, Wayne Hills, Senior
Sacks: 11
2016 recap: Modak helped lead Wayne Hills to a North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 title last season.
INTERCEPTIONS
Via HUDL
1-Javis Hanks, Shabazz, Senior
Interceptions: 8
2016 recap: The top returning pick man in the state, Hanks is one of the best ball hawks in the game.
Via HUDL
2-Christopher Charles, Hamilton West, Senior
Interceptions: 7
2016 recap: One of South Jersey's best defenders, he can lock down an offense's top receiving threat.
Via HUDL
T3-Trey Wilson, Montclair Kimberley, Junior
Interceptions: 6
2016 recap: The lone junior to make this list, he should be even better after a strong sophomore campaign.
Via HUDL
T3-Matt Gray, Gloucester Catholic, Senior
Interceptions: 6
2016 recap: After racking up six picks last season, he could have even more as a senior.
Via HUDL
T3-Cejai Parrish, St. Joseph (Hamm.), Senior
Interceptions: 6
2016 recap: A lock-down corner for one of South Jersey's best teams.
Jeremy Schneider may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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