Multiplier update: Second loss for St. Joseph-Metuchen takes Falcons out of the equation, affecting several Big Central schools

The second of both NJSIAA non-public multiplier schools in the Big Central Conference has dropped out of that category, and this one also will affect a number of league schools.

When No. 5 St. Joseph-Metuchen fell to No. 1 Phillipsburg, 42-31, at home this past Monday, it was the Falcons’ second loss to a non-multiplier public school, with their first coming at Elizabeth a couple of weeks ago.

Joe’s started the year as a “B” multiplier, meaning any public school that lost to them would have received 75 percent of their OSI value rather than 50 percent. A “B” multiplier can lose once before they drop down to a “D,” which is worth 70 percent, but a second loss takes them out of the multiplier category entirely.

Two Big Central lost to St. Joseph in Weeks One and Two: Bridgewater-Raritan and Westfield. That means instead of getting the original 75% of their SI toward the OSI portion of the playoff formula, they will get 50 percent now. The Falcons’ SI value is 69.87 at the moment. Had they remained a “B” mutliplier, the Panthers and Blue Devils would have received 52.4 points toward their OSI average. Had they only lost one game, they would be worth 48.91 points. Now, they are worth 34.94 points.

After a game at Delbarton this Saturday – where the multiplier would not normally be in effect – St. Joseph has two more games remaining against Big Central public schools before the state cutoff: at Piscataway next Friday, and at home against Union on Friday, October 16th, the Falcons’ annual night game with temporary lights. If the Chiefs and/or Union lose those games, they also would get only half the SI value. (Note: SI changes every time a game is played, so those teams could get even less – or more – depending on how St. Joseph’s SI value changes over the next three weeks.

And St. Joe’s is not the first to lose multiplier status this year, either in the Big Central, or around the state.

St. Thomas Aquinas started the year as a “D” multiplier, meaning only one loss would drop them out. That came September 18th against Old Bridge. So far, that affects Westfield and Franklin, which lost to the Trojans, who still have Somerville, North Brunswick and Edison left before the cutoff.

One note: Loss of multiplier status does not affect the team that lost that status, other than, perhaps, when the seeding committee puts together the bracket. But it doesn’t change their OSI or power point values.

Here are the others around New Jersey to lose multiplier status:

• Pope John: The Lions started as a C multiplier, but dropped out with losses to Washington Twp. and Immaculata. But it shouldn’t affect anyone, because Washington Twp. is the only public school they play all year, and the Minutemen beat them; there’s no multiplier factor for a win, only “bonus points” for a loss.
• Holy Spirit: They started as a D multiplier, and lost that status after a September 4 loss to Camden.
• St. John Vianney: They also started as a D multiplier, and lost that status on September 18 when they lost to Holmdel.