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.
SOUTH 5
Both picking up wins Friday night, North Brunswick continues to hold on top the top spot and Hillsborough has moved into number two, with UPRs of 1.6 and 2.6 respectively. Cherokee’s loss to Lenape last night in a pick ’em game drops them to third, while Toms River North – which won last night – remains in fourth.
The top two teams get the two top seeds up for grabs, which means if the playoffs started today, North Brunswick would get the No. 1 overall seed and No. 1 seed in Central 5, while Hillsborough would be the top seed in South 5. (And both top seeds would be “Raiders.”)
Our projection is that should North Brunswick and Hillsborough win out – very likely at this stage – they should hold in those positions.
Edison‘s win over St. Joseph-Metuchen last night vaulted them up three spots in the standings over Howell, Rancocas Valley, and the team they play next week, South Brunswick. the Eagles are in 10th, and could make a push for a top eight finish and a first-round home game. The Vikings are left with a lot of ground to make up, but it may still be possible (too early to tell).
Old Bridge edged up a spot from 18 to 17 with a win last night over Monroe. Hunterdon Central‘s loss to Hillsborough dropped them to the wrong side of the bubble, from 16ht to 19th.
Here are the unofficial current standings:
NORTH 5
A revenge win for top-ranked Phillipsburg over Bridgewater-Raritan last night has the Stateliners a bit more firmly in first, despite Ridgewood – which is second again – also winning last night. Passaic Tech remains third, but now a bit closer in UPR to the top two.
Westfield – with a win last night at Somerville – remains in 5th at 5-1 ahead of a big game at Ridge next week. Watchung Hills – which also won last night – holds in seventh. Piscataway remains at No. 11 with its win last night over East Brunswick, a weaker team strength-wise that didn’t hurt the Chiefs, but didn’t help them either.
Bridgewater-Raritan didn’t get hurt by last night’s loss to Phillipsburg one of the top teams in the state. The Panthers hold in 12th, though their UPR is now a 12.4 as opposed to 11.8 – they dropped one ranking position in OSI.
A big win for Union last night over Elizabeth pulls the Farmers up from No. 17 to 14, firmly in the playoff picture – for now. They likely have to split their next two games – at Phillipsburg and home to Ridge – to stay in.
We think beating either team works. A win over Phillipsburg would be enormous, and would soften the blow of losing to the lower-ranked of the two teams, Ridge. But a win over Ridge helps, too, while a loss to Phillipsburg isn’t the end of the world.
Elizabeth drops from 13 to 15 with the loss to Union, but still well in the picture and in control of its won destiny.
Here are the unofficial current standings:
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