Week 7 Friday UPR Update: Groups 4 and 5

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 Group 5 and North 4 supersections.

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 5

Top Seeds: Union City and Ridgewood both won, but flip-flop for the time being, so the Soaring Eagles are No. 1 at the moment.
Elizabeth: The Minutemen took a big jump from No. 8 to No. 3 with a win over Watchung Hills Friday night. Can they hang on to a top-four spot and home field through the sectional semifinals? They have one-win Union next week, so it remains to be seen, even with a win.
Bridgewater-Raritan: The Panthers drop to five, but play at Westfield tomorrow, so they could move back up.
Piscataway: The Chiefs – who at one point were as high as No. 4 – drop from fifth to No. 8 with a home loss to Hillsborough.
Plainfield: Despite a loss to Somerville Friday night, the Cardinals jump one spot due to the Pioneers being a very strong, highly-rated opponent.
Linden: The Tigers hold at 15 ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Carteret. It’s a critical one for Linden, as a win strengthens their bubble potential, while a loss could help keep them out.

SOUTH GROUP 5

Top Seeds: It’s still Toms River North at No. 1, but a win by Washington Township over Kingsway leapfrogs them over Atlantic City for the time being.
Hillsborough: The Raiders’ win over Piscataway jumped them four spots. All of a sudden, Hillsborough went from having a first-round home game to home field through the sectional semifinals. A top two finish, however, might be a longshot.
Old Bridge: The Knights appear to have clinched a playoff spot with a win over Hunterdon Central Friday night. They jump from 14th to tenth place, and may be able to rise as high as the top eight win another win next week over Colonia
Hunterdon Central: The Red Devils actually hold at 13 despite the loss to the Knights, and they could be a bubble team – at least on the right side of it – after the rest of the weekend plays out.
Franklin: The Warriors from from 11th to No. 14 after a loss to Monroe. They’re still on the bubble, but on the inside.
Edison: The Eagles edged up one spot to 15th after a win over reeling South Brunswick to get a little breathing room over the first team out. And there are two one-win teams among the first four outside the Top 16, so if they don’t win next week, they’re ineligible. Things are looking better for Edison.
Sayreville: The Bombers moved up from 23rd to 20th with a win over Montgomery Friday, but might be a longshot to make the playoffs with a trip to St. Thomas Aquinas looming next weekend, but they are a multiplier, and that could give them the added boost they need.

NORTH GROUP 4

Top Seeds: Phillipsburg held on to its top spot with a win at Union, despite the Farmers having just one win. But Ridge dropped down to third as Morris Knolls took their place. That’s after a win over struggling North Brunswick, but Morris Knolls still has to play Morristown (3-4) Saturday.
Woodbridge: The Barrons jumped Morris Knolls and rose to third based on other factors, as both play Saturday. Woodbridge is at Summit, while the Eagles are home against Morristown.
Westfield: In what was a very tight group before Friday’s games, the Blue Devils didn’t even play and rose from 15th to 10th. Part of that was Watchung Hills’ loss to Elizabeth. BUt Westfield could make a big jump in either direction as they play host to Bridgewater-Raritan Saturday at Kehler Stadium.
Rahway: Having begun the week in ninth, the Indians fall four spots due to a victory that came over winless New Brunswick. That hurt them, but while they haven’t clinched yet, they look to be in good shape.
Watchung Hills: The Warriors didn’t drop as much as Elizabeth soared in the North as the Minutemen picked up a huge win. Hills only fell one spot from 14 to 15, and we’d say they’re better than 50-50 odds to make the playoffs. We think around 60 or 65 in favor.
Colonia: The Patriots loss to Cranford – their third straight since a 4-1 start – didn’t drop them. IN fact, not only did they stay in 16th place, but they kept their same UPR number. But Teaneck gained 0.4 UPR points to edge a little closer. Colonia will need a win next week against red-hot Old Bridge (5-3).