Category: Football Top Ten

by Mike Pavlichko

Big Central, NJ Power Rankings: Week 11

As the playoffs continue on the the group semifinal stage among all schools – public and non-public – and everyone else wrapped up with regular season play, except for those who keep Thanksgiving rivalries alive, Strength Index continues to be measured across the state.

Simply based on the state’s Strength Index formula – which helps determine a team’s OSI, which is 60% of the UPR playoff formula – the rankings will change each week as games are played. See methodology at the bottom of this page.

The rankings typically use the official NJSIAA Strength Index values calculated by Gridiron New Jersey, which updates them on each team’s page on a weekly basis. However, since those are only updated in the regular season, we do our own unofficial calculations for the entire state.

Here are the Week 11 rankings in the Big Central and statewide.

In the Big Central, Somerville’s win over Delsea in the Central Jersey Group 3 final – coupled with St. Thomas Aquinas losing in the Non-Public Group B quarterfinals – moves the Pioneers ahead of the Trojans. The rest of the top eight remain the same.

Statewide, Winslow and Millville remain Nos. 1 and 2, but Don Bosco’s Prep big win over St. Joseph-Metuchen propelled them up to third, a jump of two spots. That knocked Bergen Catholic to fourth, while DePaul went from tenth to No. 5, knocking Union City from fourth to eighth.

Among Big Central teams, title winners Somerville and Phillipsburg gained, while St. Thomas dropped. The Pioneers edged up from No. 11 to tenth, while Phillipsburg soared six spots to No. 12. St. Thomas Aquinas. dropped from eighth to 13th.

Strength Index Methodology: Team A and Team B are compared to find the difference between their rankings, which provides the Expected Result. The margin of the final score is figured in positive or negative terms compared to the Expected Result. The difference is divided by five, and the teams increase or decrease by the resulting number.

Example #1: Team A has an SI value of 80, while Team B has an SI value of 60. The Expected Result is +20 for Team A. When the game is played, Team A wins by 30. That is 10 points higher than the expected result. Than number is divided by 5, meaning Team A increases by 2 (Team A now has an SI of 82) while Team B decreases by 2 (Team B now has an SI of 58).

Example #2: In the same scenario, Team A defeats Team B by 20. That is the same as the Expected Result, no there is no change. Team A remains with an SI value of 80, while Team B retains its 60 SI value.

Example #2: Team A defeats Team B by 10. That is 10 points fewer than the expected result. Divide by 5 to get 2, but in this case, Team A drops by 2 points to 78 (because Team A “underperformed”) while Team B increases by 2 points to 62.

by Mike Pavlichko

Big Central, NJ Power Rankings: Week 10

As the playoffs continue – with sectional title games this weekend – and everyone else wrapped up with regular season play, except for those who keep Thanksgiving rivalries alive, Strength Index continues to be measured across the state.

Simply based on the state’s Strength Index formula – which helps determine a team’s OSI, which is 60% of the UPR playoff formula – the rankings will change each week as games are played. See methodology at the bottom of this page.

The rankings typically use the official NJSIAA Strength Index values calculated by Gridiron New Jersey, which updates them on each team’s page on a weekly basis. However, since those are only updated in the regular season, we do our own unofficial calculations for the entire state.

Here are the Week 10 rankings in the Big Central and statewide.

In the Big Central, a 61-6 win by St. Thomas Aquinas over St. Mary-Rutherford in the opening round of the Non-Public B playoff section propelled the Trojans to No. 1, leapfrogging Ridge, Phillipsburg and Somerville, which fall to second, third and fourth, respectively. Piscataway had been fifth, but dropped with a loss at West Orange, bumping up Hillsborough, despite a sectional semifinal loss at Rancocas Valley.

Winslow remains the No. 1 team, upping its SI this season to 113.02. Millville jumped from fifth to second this week, jumping Bergen Catholic, which falls to No. 3. Union City jumps from sixth to fourth, and Don Bosco Prep moves up one to fifth.

St. Thomas Aquinas jumps from out of the Top 25 to No. 8 after their blowout of St. Mary, passing Somerville and Phillipsburg. The Pioneers drop three places to 11th after a closer-than-usual win score-wise (it wasn’t really that close) over Ocean City, and Phillipsburg dropped two spots, right behind Somerville in 12th.

Strength Index Methodology: Team A and Team B are compared to find the difference between their rankings, which provides the Expected Result. The margin of the final score is figured in positive or negative terms compared to the Expected Result. The difference is divided by five, and the teams increase or decrease by the resulting number.

Example #1: Team A has an SI value of 80, while Team B has an SI value of 60. The Expected Result is +20 for Team A. When the game is played, Team A wins by 30. That is 10 points higher than the expected result. Than number is divided by 5, meaning Team A increases by 2 (Team A now has an SI of 82) while Team B decreases by 2 (Team B now has an SI of 58).

Example #2: In the same scenario, Team A defeats Team B by 20. That is the same as the Expected Result, no there is no change. Team A remains with an SI value of 80, while Team B retains its 60 SI value.

Example #2: Team A defeats Team B by 10. That is 10 points fewer than the expected result. Divide by 5 to get 2, but in this case, Team A drops by 2 points to 78 (because Team A “underperformed”) while Team B increases by 2 points to 62.

by Mike Pavlichko

Big Central, New Jersey Power Rankings: Week 9

Though the playoffs (and consolations) have begun for public schools – and most non-publics will begin postseason play this week – Strength Index values continue to be tracked by the state through the end of the playoffs. Central Jersey Sports Radio will continue to publish the Big Central and New Jersey Power Rankings through the very last game of the 2024 season.

Simply based on the state’s Strength Index formula – which helps determine a team’s OSI, which is 60% of the UPR playoff formula – the rankings will change each week as games are played. See methodology at the bottom of this page.

The rankings use the official NJSIAA Strength Index values calculated by Gridiron New Jersey, which updates them on each team’s page on a weekly basis. Our rankings use the official SI calculations as of October 23, 2024.

This week’s rankings do not include Monday’s non-playoff game between Parsippany and North Warren. That will be added to next week’s rankings.

In the Big Central, the top five remain unchanged with Somerville followed by Phillipsburg, Ridge, St. Thomas Aquinas and Piscataway.

The top six remain the same across the state, with Winslow at No. 1, followed by Bergen Catholic and Toms River North, all with SIs over 100. Don Bosco Prep, Millville and Union City round out the top six. In the Big Central, Somerville drops a spot to 8th, with Phillipsburg is up one to tenth.

Ridge and St. Thomas Aquinas dropped out, but are close: the Red Devils were just 0.27 SI points out, in 26th, while the Trojans dropped to 28th at 86.11 on an idle week before they begin the playoffs this Friday night at home against St. Mary-Rutherford.

Strength Index Methodology: Team A and Team B are compared to find the difference between their rankings, which provides the Expected Result. The margin of the final score is figured in positive or negative terms compared to the Expected Result. The difference is divided by five, and the teams increase or decrease by the resulting number.

Example #1: Team A has an SI value of 80, while Team B has an SI value of 60. The Expected Result is +20 for Team A. When the game is played, Team A wins by 30. That is 10 points higher than the expected result. Than number is divided by 5, meaning Team A increases by 2 (Team A now has an SI of 82) while Team B decreases by 2 (Team B now has an SI of 58).

Example #2: In the same scenario, Team A defeats Team B by 20. That is the same as the Expected Result, no there is no change. Team A remains with an SI value of 80, while Team B retains its 60 SI value.

Example #2: Team A defeats Team B by 10. That is 10 points fewer than the expected result. Divide by 5 to get 2, but in this case, Team A drops by 2 points to 78 (because Team A “underperformed”) while Team B increases by 2 points to 62.

by Mike Pavlichko

Big Central, New Jersey Power Rankings: Week 8

While the regular season is over for public schools – except for those that play on Thanksgiving – and the playoffs start for them next week, Strength Index values continue to be tracked by the state through the end of the playoffs, and Central Jersey Sports Radio will continue to publish the Big Central and New Jersey Power Rankings.

Simply based on the state’s Strength Index formula – which helps determine a team’s OSI, which is 60% of the UPR playoff formula – the rankings will change each week as games are played. See methodology at the bottom of this page.

The rankings use the official NJSIAA Strength Index values calculated by Gridiron New Jersey, which updates them on each team’s page on a weekly basis. Our rankings use the official SI calculations as of October 23, 2024.

In the Big Central, Somerville goes to the top of the pack, with a 94.62 SI, ranked seventh in New Jersey. That drops Phillipsburg to second. Ridge and St. Thomas Aquinas hold third and fourth, respectively, but Piscataway overtook Hillsborough at five with a 52-0 win over Monroe last Friday.

As for the state Top 25, all four Big Central Conference teams remain on the list. Somerville has reached the top ten at No. 7, while Phillipsburg drops from nine to 11. Ridge went up to 16 from 17, but St. Thomas Aquinas dropped five places to No. 25.

Statewide, Winslow and Bergen Catholic remain Nos. 1 and 2 yet again, with Toms River North third. Don Bosco Prep goes up to fourth, with Millville dropping to No. 5.

Strength Index Methodology: Team A and Team B are compared to find the difference between their rankings, which provides the Expected Result. The margin of the final score is figured in positive or negative terms compared to the Expected Result. The difference is divided by five, and the teams increase or decrease by the resulting number.

Example #1: Team A has an SI value of 80, while Team B has an SI value of 60. The Expected Result is +20 for Team A. When the game is played, Team A wins by 30. That is 10 points higher than the expected result. Than number is divided by 5, meaning Team A increases by 2 (Team A now has an SI of 82) while Team B decreases by 2 (Team B now has an SI of 58).

Example #2: In the same scenario, Team A defeats Team B by 20. That is the same as the Expected Result, no there is no change. Team A remains with an SI value of 80, while Team B retains its 60 SI value.

Example #2: Team A defeats Team B by 10. That is 10 points fewer than the expected result. Divide by 5 to get 2, but in this case, Team A drops by 2 points to 78 (because Team A “underperformed”) while Team B increases by 2 points to 62.

by Mike Pavlichko

Little movement in CJSR Football Top Ten for Week 8 as nine ranked teams win

In the final Central Jersey Sports Radio high school football rankings before the end of the season – our next one will be our final Top Ten once the playoffs are over – there was very little movement, as only the bottom three teams changed, and Somerville remained No. 1

With the playoffs starting next week for 160 public schools across the state, we’ll have our next rankings, as always, after all is said and done.

Somerville capped a perfect 9-0 regular season with a 45-7 home win over Watchung Hills Friday night. The Pioneers have allowed just 21 points in the last five games, including two shutouts, and two of those three scores came in garbage time with a running clock. They’re allowing 8.7 points per game and outscoring the opposition by 27 per game. Somerville earned the top overall seed in South 3, and they will open play as the No. 1 seed in Central Group 3 Friday night against Absegami (5-4) out of the West Jersey Football League.

Woodbridge also finished off a 9-0 regular season with a 36-35 win over then-No. 8 St. Joseph-Metuchen. The Barrons, who finished their third undefeated regular season in six years, earned the second seed in North 2 Group 4 and will entertain seventh-seed Watchung Hills (5-4) at 6 pm Friday in the opening round.

Third is St. Thomas Aquinas (7-2), holding steady after a 43-20 win over Sayreville at home on Senior Night. Public schools still have one more week of action. The Trojans were set to travel to Riverdale Baptist (MD), but according to head coach Tarig Holman says that game was cancelled by the Crusaders.

Holding in fourth is Bernards, which is the third Big Central team to finish off an unbeaten regular season. The Mountaineers cruised past Carteret at the Pit Friday night, 35-7 and picked up the No. 2 seed in North 1 Group 2, where they will face seventh-seed Rutherford (6-2) at Olcott Field on Friday night.

Ridge (7-1) holds in fifth after a 28-10 home win over Westfield Friday night. The Red Devils have won seven straight since dropping their opener and will be the two-seed in North 1 Group 4, hosting Rahway (7-2) in the opening round, one of three all-Big Central playoff matchups this coming weekend.

Phillipsburg (7-1) holds in sixth, following a 49-21 win at Bridgewater-Raritan Friday night. The Stateliners will take a five-game win streak into the playoffs Friday night when – as the top-seed in North 2 Group 4 – they will host 8-seed Nutley (4-5) out of the Super Essex Conference.

Red-hot Hillsborough (6-3) remains at No. 7, after a 38-21 home win over Hunterdon Central on Senior Night. The Raiders have won four straight after starting the season 2-3 and will be the third-seed in South Group 5, hosting 6th-seed Freehold Township (5-2) out of the Shore Conference in Friday night’s opening round.

Moving up a spot to eighth is Rahway (7-2), which earned itself a second seed in North 1 Group 4. They beat winless Montgomery Friday, 28-3, and will open the playoffs at two-seed Ridge (7-1) Friday night at seven at Lee Field.

Also up a spot this week is Piscataway (6-3). The Chiefs are ninth after a 52-0 home win over Monroe Friday night. They got a three-seed in North 1 Group 5, and hot 6th-seed Bayonne (6-2) out of the Super Football Conference.

Falling to tenth this week is St. Joseph-Metuchen, which fell to 5-3 after a 36-35 defeat at the hands of Woodbridge Friday, the Falcons’ third loss in a row. They have one more regular season game before the playoffs start: Saturday at home against St. John Vianney (6-3).

This week, we also changed “Also Considered” to “Also Recognized” to draw attention to some teams who’ve had excellent results but might not otherwise make a top ten filled with large and small schools.

Looking at unranked schools with two or fewer losses, we recognize New Providence (7-2), Delaware Valley (6-2), Cranford (6-2), Johnson (7-1), Spotswood (8-1), and Belvidere (8-1) for their outstanding efforts this season.

Below is the complete Week 8 Central Jersey Sports Radio High School Football Top Ten:

by Mike Pavlichko

Big Central, New Jersey Power Rankings: Week 7

Every week this season, Central Jersey Sports Radio will continue to publish the Big Central and New Jersey Power Rankings.

Simply based on the state’s Strength Index formula – which helps determine a team’s OSI, which is 60% of the UPR playoff formula – the rankings will change each week as games are played. See methodology at the bottom of this page.

The rankings use the official NJSIAA Strength Index values calculated by Gridiron New Jersey, which updates them on each team’s page on a weekly basis. Our rankings use the official SI calculations as of October 23, 2024.

The top four teams remain the same, but the middle two flip-flopped this week. Phillipsburg holds the top spot, but Somerville is now up one to second, and Ridge drops one spot to third. St. Thomas Aquinas holds in fourth, while the top five is rounded out by Hillsborough. The Raiders supplant the Chiefs and move up from No. 10 with their 27-14 win at Piscataway last Friday night. Piscataway nudged down a spot to sixth.

Big Central Conference Power Rankings after Week 7

As for the state Top 25, all four Big Central Conference teams on the list last week remain. Phillipsburg climbed from 14 to ninth place, while Somerville is up five from 17th to No. 12. Ridge edged down one notch to 17, while St. Thomas Aquinas stayed put at 20.

Statewide, Winslow and Bergen Catholic remain Nos. 1 and 2, while Millville pulled into third and joined the “100 SI Club” this week, jumping Toms River North into third. Union City rose two spots from six to four, while the Mariners round out the top five.

New Jersey Power Rankings – Top 25 after Week 7

Strength Index Methodology: Team A and Team B are compared to find the difference between their rankings, which provides the Expected Result. The margin of the final score is figured in positive or negative terms compared to the Expected Result. The difference is divided by five, and the teams increase or decrease by the resulting number.

Example #1: Team A has an SI value of 80, while Team B has an SI value of 60. The Expected Result is +20 for Team A. When the game is played, Team A wins by 30. That is 10 points higher than the expected result. Than number is divided by 5, meaning Team A increases by 2 (Team A now has an SI of 82) while Team B decreases by 2 (Team B now has an SI of 58).

Example #2: In the same scenario, Team A defeats Team B by 20. That is the same as the Expected Result, no there is no change. Team A remains with an SI value of 80, while Team B retains its 60 SI value.

Example #2: Team A defeats Team B by 10. That is 10 points fewer than the expected result. Divide by 5 to get 2, but in this case, Team A drops by 2 points to 78 (because Team A “underperformed”) while Team B increases by 2 points to 62.

by Mike Pavlichko

Somerville overtakes Woodbridge for top spot in CJSR Week 7 H.S. Football Top Ten

Though both teams won this week and remain undefeated, as we head into Cutoff Weekend, Somerville has overtaken Woodbridge in the Central Jersey Sports Radio High School Football Top Ten.

The Pioneers have generally blown out opponents this season, with frequent running clocks, and their speed appears to be unmatched. Their defense has allowed only 14 points in the last four weeks – a touchdown in each of their last two games, following back-to-back shutouts and their average margin of victory is just under 34 points in those games, three of which are likely playoff teams in Plainfield, Hillside and Summit.

Somerville (8-0) most recently won at Plainfield Friday night, 30-7. They host Watchung Hills (5-3) this coming Friday, and will likely be the overall No. 1 seed in the playoffs in South Jersey Group 3, which would give them home field through a potential group semifinal. (Finals are at neutral sites.)

Woodbridge (8-0) was a 28-17 winner over Summit on the road Saturday afternoon. The Barrons close out the regular season with a visit from No. 8 St. Joseph-Metuchen (5-2) this Friday night.

St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2) remains in third after a come-from-behind win at then-No. 7 St. Joseph-Metuchen Saturday afternoon, 34-20, as heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio. That extended their Big Central-record win streak to 30 games. This week, the Trojans host Sayreville (3-5), which snapped a two-game losing streak last week with a 7-0 win over Montgomery.

Bernards (8-0) keeps at No. 4 after a 34-7 road win at Governor Livingston Saturday afternoon, stretching their second-best active Big Central winning streak to 22 games. The Mountaineers will look to close out back-to-back undefeated regular seasons for the first time since 1995 and 1996 when they travel to Carteret (3-5) Friday night.

Ridge (6-1) holds in fifth. The Red Devils have now won six straight since a season-opening loss at St. Joe’s, 37-34. Friday night, they won 42-14 at North Brunswick, and will entertain Westfield (4-3) this Friday, with a chance to lock down a top seed in North Group 4. Currently, the Red Devils are second in the supersection, right behind Phillipsburg, but have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Stateliners.

Phillipsburg (6-1) stays in sixth after a 44-0 win over Union Friday night at Stewart Field. The Stateliners will be back down Route 78 – but not quite as far – then down 287 this Friday night when they travel to Bridgewater-Raritan (3-5).

Hillsborough (5-3) moves up from No. 10 to No. 7 after a 27-14 win at then-No. 8 Piscataway Friday night. The Raiders – after starting the season 2-3 – have won three straight. This Friday, they host Hunterdon Central (4-4), losers of two straight.

Falling a spot to No. 8 is St. Joseph-Metuchen (6-2), which lost its second in a row Saturday afternoon, falling 34-20 to No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons will try and get back on track Friday night when they travel to No. 2 Woodbridge (8-0).

At No. 9 is Rahway (6-2). The Indians hold steady after a 42-0 victory over winless New Brunswick. They’ll face an 0-fer team for the second straight week, as they travel to Montgomery (0-8) Friday night.

Falling two spots to tenth is Piscataway (5-3), which had a three-game winning streak snapped by then-No. 7 Hillsborough, 27-14. The Chiefs close out the regular season Friday night at home against Monroe (4-4).

Also considered were Delaware Valley and Johnson, both 6-1.

Below is the complete Week 7 Central Jersey Sports Radio High School Football Top Ten:

by Mike Pavlichko

Big Central, New Jersey Power Rankings: Week 6

Every week this season, Central Jersey Sports Radio will continue to publish the Big Central and New Jersey Power Rankings.

Simply based on the state’s Strength Index formula – which helps determine a team’s OSI, which is 60% of the UPR playoff formula – the rankings will change each week as games are played. See methodology at the bottom of this page.

The rankings use the official NJSIAA Strength Index values calculated by Gridiron New Jersey, which updates them on each team’s page on a weekly basis. Our rankings use the official SI calculations as of October 7, 2024.

Phillipsburg takes the top spot, moving up three places after beating highly-regarded St. Joseph of Metuchen Friday night. Meanwhile, Ridge and Somerville find themselves tied at No. 2, the Pioneers holding steady, the Red Devils dropping from first.

Big Central Conference Power Rankings after Week 6

As for the state Top 25, there are four Big Central Conference teams on the list for the first time this season. Phillipsburg went from No. 25 all the way up to 14, while Ridge dropped two spots and is tied with Somerville, which rose two places. St. Thomas Aquinas returns, at No. 10.

Statewide, the top four remain the same for the second straight week.

New Jersey Power Rankings – Top 25 after Week 6

Strength Index Methodology: Team A and Team B are compared to find the difference between their rankings, which provides the Expected Result. The margin of the final score is figured in positive or negative terms compared to the Expected Result. The difference is divided by five, and the teams increase or decrease by the resulting number.

Example #1: Team A has an SI value of 80, while Team B has an SI value of 60. The Expected Result is +20 for Team A. When the game is played, Team A wins by 30. That is 10 points higher than the expected result. Than number is divided by 5, meaning Team A increases by 2 (Team A now has an SI of 82) while Team B decreases by 2 (Team B now has an SI of 58).

Example #2: In the same scenario, Team A defeats Team B by 20. That is the same as the Expected Result, no there is no change. Team A remains with an SI value of 80, while Team B retains its 60 SI value.

Example #2: Team A defeats Team B by 10. That is 10 points fewer than the expected result. Divide by 5 to get 2, but in this case, Team A drops by 2 points to 78 (because Team A “underperformed”) while Team B increases by 2 points to 62.

by Mike Pavlichko

Another week of relative calm in Week 6 CJSR H.S. Football Top Ten as Hillsborough, Rahway rejoin the rankings

Woodbridge remains the No. 1 team in the Central Jersey Sports Radio High School Football rankings, while there was a small shakeup in the middle, and two previously-ranked teams return to the top ten after Week Six.

Woodbridge (7-0) remained undefeated with a 28-7 home win over Montgomery Friday night. The Barrons are back in action Saturday when they travel to Union County to take on Summit (4-2). The Hilltoppers have lost two straight since starting 4-0.

Somerville (7-0) holds in second after blitzing North Hunterdon at home Thursday night, 56-7. That touchdown by the Lions was the only score the Pioneers have allowed in the last three games. Nest up is a Friday night trip to Hub Stine Field to take on Plainfield (4-2).

Edging up a spot to No. 2 is Somerville (6-0). The Pioneers handed Summit its first loss of the season, rolling up 41 points and kickstarting the running clock before halftime in a 41-0 win at Brooks Field Friday night. The ‘Ville is home Thursday night against North Hunterdon (2-4), which has won two of its last three after starting 0-3 on the season.

St. Thomas Aquinas (5-2) remains in third after a blowout win over Edison at home, 57-7, Friday night. The Trojans will face off against No. 7 St. Joseph of Metuchen this Saturday morning at 11 am, in a game you can hear live on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Bernards (7-0) holds steady in fourth after a come-from-behind win over Summit, 29-22, as heard Thursday evening on Central Jersey Sports Radio. The Mountaineers will make the short trip along Route 78 to Governor Livingston (3-4) Saturday afternoon. The Highlanders will be coming in hot after a 50-46 shootout win this weekend over Voorhees.

Ridge (5-1) rises one place to No. 5 this week after a 41-13 American Silver division win over Hunterdon Central in a battle of the Red Devils. They will travel to North Brunswick (1-6) this Friday night.

Phillipsburg (5-1) climbs from seventh to sixth after a thoroughly dominating 49-14 win Friday night at Maloney Stadium over St. Joseph-Metuchen (5-1), which drops from five to No. 7. The Stateliners visit Union (1-6) Friday night, while the Falcons host St. Thomas Aquinas at 11 am on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

No change this week for Piscataway (5-2), which holds steady at No. 8 after a 55-0 road blowout of East Brunswick. The Chiefs will entertain No. 10 Hillsborough (4-3) Friday night.

The last two spots go to teams making their return to the rankings this season.

Rahway (5-2) is back in at No. 9 after a 14-10 win at Watchung Hills Saturday night. The Indians host winless New Brunswick at home Friday night.

The final spot goes to Hillsborough (4-3), which won back-to-back games for the first time Thursday night, when the Raiders won at Bridgewater-Raritan, 34-24. Hillsborough travels to No. 8 Piscataway Friday night for an early 6 pm kickoff.

Dropping out this week were No. 9 Watchung Hills – which fell to Rahway Saturday night – and No. 10 Johnson, which lost its first game of the year Friday night, 42-34 to Delaware Valley.

Watchung Hills was still considered, as was Plainfield (4-2).

Below is the complete Week 6 Central Jersey Sports Radio High School Football Top Ten:

by Mike Pavlichko

Woodbridge stays at the top, Somerville and St. Joseph rise in Week 5 CJSR H.S. Football Top Ten

There was no change at No. 1 this week, but Somerville and St. Joseph climbed in the Week 5 Central Jersey Sports Radio High School Football Top Ten, while two new teams – Watchung Hills and Johnson – joined the rankings this week, with just a few more games left before Cutoff Weekend.

Woodbridge improved to 6-0 with a 35-0 shutout at Perth Amboy Friday night. The Barrons got three touchdowns from senior Shamar Wells after Jahmir Beal got dinged up early in the game. Woodbridge hosts Montgomery (0-6) Friday night.

Edging up a spot to No. 2 is Somerville (6-0). The Pioneers handed Summit its first loss of the season, rolling up 41 points and kickstarting the running clock before halftime in a 41-0 win at Brooks Field Friday night. The ‘Ville is home Thursday night against North Hunterdon (2-4), which has won two of its last three after starting 0-3 on the season.

St. Thomas Aquinas (4-2) took Paramus Catholic to the brink on the road Friday night, falling 35-34 in overtime when a chance to win the game on a two-point conversion was broken up by the Paladins. The Trojans host in-town foe Edison (3-3) Friday night, riding a league best 28-game win streak against Big Central competition.

Bernards (6-0) is now at 20 straight Big Central wins after a 28-0 home win over South Plainfield Friday night. Thursday, the Mountaineers entertain Summit (4-1), in the first of two “Big Central Game of the Week” broadcasts this week, presented by Bellamy & Son Paving. Click here to listen, with kickoff scheduled for 7 pm.

Rising this week to No. 5 is St. Joseph-Metuchen, which is now 5-0 – and has won nine straight Big Central games going back to last season – thanks to a 40-14 home victory Friday night over North Brunswick. This week, it’s a big clash with No. 7 Phillipsburg (4-1) out at Maloney Stadium on Friday night.

In sixth is Ridge (4-1), a 49-7 winner over winless Union Friday night. The Red Devils travel to Hunterdon Central (4-2, also considered this week) for a Thursday night Week 6 contest.

Phillipsburg (4-1) is at No. 7. The Stateliners got past West Orange on the road in a non-conference matchup Friday night. It’s back to Big Central competition this Friday when St. Joe’s comes in.

At No. 8 this week is Piscataway (4-2), up two spots after a 42-13 win at rival Sayreville. They play the second of back-to-back road games Thursday when they visit East Brunswick (1-5).

New to the rankings this week are Watchung Hills (5-1) and A.L. Johnson (5-0).

The Warriors were 33-0 winners at South Brunswick on Saturday afternoon, and will host Rahway (4-2) next Saturday. The Crusaders knocked off Governor Livingston in Berkeley Heights Saturday, and will be back home in Clark Friday to take on Delaware Valley (4-1).

Dropping out this week were No. 7 Old Bridge (3-3) – which lost 14-7 at Morristown Saturday – and No. 9 Colonia, which fell to 4-2 with a 27-21 loss at Edison Friday.

Hunterdon Central (4-2) and Summit (4-1) also were considered.

Below is the complete Week 5 Central Jersey Sports Radio High School Football Top Ten: