Week 7 Friday UPR Update: Groups 1, 2 and 3

Just one week from Cutoff Weekend, Central Jersey Sports Radio is giving its unofficial projections for updated UPR standings after Friday night’s Week 7 games. Here, we look at the NOrth and South supersections in Groups 1, 2 and 3.

Our projections use scores reported to Gridiron New Jersey, CJSR and other media outlets. Strength Index was updated for those that played Friday night. Residuals for out-of-state opponents have been added, where applicable and available.

NORTH GROUP 3

Top Seeds: It’s still Old Tappan and West Essex atop this section, as both won Friday night, though West Essex edged a bit closer in terms of total UPR.
Summit: The Hilltoppers didn’t play Friday night, and dropped one spot to ninth based on other Friday results. But they have a big opportunity to get back into the top eight today at Tatlock Field against Woodbridge, the top team in the Central Jersey Sports Radio Top Ten.
Cranford: The Cougars’ win over Colonia Friday night edges them up one spot from 11th to 10th for the rime being. Still, they seem like a likely road team in the opening round.
Carteret: The Ramblers may be in 19th, technically, but it’s really, sort of, kind of 18th. That’s because Roxbury ahead of them has just one win, so if they don’t get it next week against Morristown, they’ll be ineligible. (Two wins is the NJSIAA minimum to make the playoffs.) Carteret plays at Linden Saturday and has a home game against Bernards next Friday night, so they may still have a shot.

SOUTH GROUP 3

Top Seeds: We figured Somerville would be back up at the top as long as they kept winning, and we were right. After Hopewell Valley jumped the Pioneers for the overall No. 1 spot last week, The ‘Ville is back on top by a slim 0.6 UPR margin. In fact, the two are tied in power point average at 16.50, with Somerville having a significantly higher OSI, at 66.18 to 62.27 for Hopewell Valley. Next week, the Pioneers are home to Watchung Hills, which is 5-3 for a potential 21 power points, while they have a 68.72 SI value. The Bulldogs have a game at Hightstown, which is just 2-6, providing 12 power points and 45.05 in SI value. Bottom line: if Somerville wins next week, they lock up the No. 1 seed overall, and home field through a potential Group 3 south semifinals.

NORTH GROUP 2

Top Seeds: Glen Rock Hangs on to No. 1 right now, but still has to play at St. Mary Saturday, while Hanover Park holds in second after a home win over West Essex Friday night.
Bernards: The Mountaineers moved up from 5th to 3rd place without even playing Friday night, and still have to play Saturday at Governor Livingston. They could edge up in power points, but not much in OSI, if at all, with a win. But, with winless New Brunswick next week, they might not be able to do enough to gain one of the top two spots and earn a top seed unless they beat the Zebras and get some help next week.

SOUTH GROUP 2

Top Seeds: Camden has jumped to No. 1 and Rumson-Fair Haven falls to No. 2 after the Panthers beat Lenape Friday night, and the Bulldogs topped Donovan Catholic.
Johnson: The Crusaders dropped a spot after a home win over a weak opponent in North Plainfield Friday night. And with Perth Amboy – a similarly-ranked team – next week, it might be a neat trick to see them hold on to a top eight spot, even with a win over the Panthers.
Delaware Valley: The Terriers had to sit home Friday night, as Roselle took a forfeit with too many injuries and not enough players to safely field a team, but the forfeit win didn’t hurt them, as they hold in tenth, and we think they could have a shot at the top eight if they beat New Providence on the road next Friday night.
Hillside: The Comets hold in 11th for the time being, but play a good Voorhees team Saturday afternoon at Conant Street Park, so they could make a move up as well before the weekend is out.
Metuchen: The Bulldogs hold in 12th place for now, but have a home game against Brearley Saturday. But our guess is they don’t move up much with a win, but can at least solidify their status and maybe get themselves off the bubble and clinch a spot with a win over the Bears.
Spotswood: With a win Friday night over South Hunterdon, the Chargers at least remain in the top 16, but they do drop a spot to No. 16. Of the two teams immediately behind them in the standings, Collingswood might be the only threat. They’re 3-5, but Haddon Heights is 1-6 and plays at Northern Burlington (4-3) next week. So, if things go as they are on paper, Collingswood – and maybe Manasquan (3-5) could fight them for a spot. The Chargers have Roselle Park (39.58 SI value, 15 power points) next week, which would raise both their averages. But they still might be facing a must win.

NORTH GROUP 1

Top Seeds: Cedar Grove and Butler remain No. 1 and No. 2 after wins Friday night.
New Providence: A win over low-ranked Bound Brook hurt New Providence Friday night, as the Pioneers dropped from fourth to sixth, despite improving to 6-2. We figured that, but with Del Val coming up next week at home, we’ll see if they can reach the top four again.
Belvidere: The resurgence in the County Seat has Belvidere in good shape. They rose two places without even playing Frioday, and have areal good opportunity to make more headway with a solid Metuchen team on the road Saturday afternoon.

SOUTH GROUP 1

Top Seeds: Woodstown remains the top overall seed here, and still has to play Saturday at Salem, but Glassboro – with a win over Schalick – climbed to second after Friday night action, jumping Haddon Township and Shore Regional.
Middlesex: The Blue Jays beat JFK Friday night to win their second straight, and edged up one place to seventh. With Riverside 2.2 UPR points behind in ninth and the Blue Jays at Belvidere next week, there’s a good chance Middlesex begins the playoffs at home.
Manville: It’s a two-spot jump for the Mustangs, who beat Highland Park at home Friday night. With low-ranked Bound Brook at home next week, a win might not move them up much, but we also think it would lock up a playoff berth.