UPDATE: Unofficial Group 1 Playoff Standings: Brearley would be first if not for OSI

With just two more full weeks of the regular season to go, we’re updating the UNOFFICIAL UPR standings for Group 5 based on Friday’s results, as reported by Gridiron New Jersey, which calculates all the numbers for the NJSIAA. Remeber, these results do not include Saturday games, still going on as of this writing.

NORTH 1

The leaders here are Wood-Ridge and Mountain Lakes, both 6-0, with two other undefeated teams in the grouping: Weequahic (4th) and Brearley, which is in 7th at 6-0. That’s right, the Bears dropped three places this week after a win over Highland Park. Their power point average dropped from a 17.6 to a 16.83, while their OSI went from 49.7 to 46 even. Ouch!

They’re at Middlesex (4-2) and home to Dunellen (2-4) the final two weeks. They should win both, but whether they can hold off the teams behind them is the question. They’ll need to win both to stay in the top eight and guarantee at least a first-round home game.

Here’s a team the new playoff system hurts. If it were based on power point average, Brearley is a No. 1 overall seed! (They lead Wood-Ridge 16.83 to 14.67.) Yet, their OSI ranks ninth, with a 46. A loss to one of their last two opponents could cost them a home game, so they’ll need to go undefeated in order to solidify that, all due to their schedule, at least based on the Strength Index. Then again, we think SI and OSI is a pretty good measure. We’ll take a closer look at the end of the year.

Here are the unofficial current standings:

SOUTH 1

Manville‘s win over Belvidere keeps them at fourth place – for now – since they have Highland Park next week, and like Brearley, even a win is sure to hurt them, even if just a little bit. The question is, will the teams behind them take advantage?

Woodstown (5-0) is No. 1 overall, followed by Woodbury (5-1). Salem (4-2) is in third. The next team down the list here in the Big Central is all the way down in 12th, South Hunterdon, which didn;t move this week even after a win over Dunellen last night. The Eagles are a good bet for the playoffs, but it’s doubtful they’ll make the top eight, so they should end up starting on the road.

And even with a win last night, Middlesex stays in 18th after defeating Roselle Park 7-0. Brearley is up next week, and they visit New Providence for a Friday night game Cutoff Weekend. If the Blue Jays are going to get in, they need to at least split.

Here are the unofficial current standings: