Yet again, there was no change atop the Big Central Conference power rankings for Week Ten, as Phillipsburg stayed at No. 1, while the last two BCC public schools left in the state playoffs, not surprisingly, moved up into the top three.

The Stateliners increased their SI from 84.69 to 87.46 and climbed back into the state Top 25 this week (more on that below) after a 31-13 win at East Orange Saturday in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 semifinals. They’ll host Passaic Tech (No. 8 in the state power rankings) for the sectional title Friday night at 7 pm at Maloney Stadium.

Moving up to two this week in the BCC is Old Bridge. The Knights’ 35-0 win over Williamstown in the Central Jersey Group 5 semifinals last Friday drove their SI up from 78.56 to 83.66, and puts them back home again this week – Friday at 6 pm – for the title game against undefeated Rancocas Valley, which is No. 2 in the state power rankings this week, up two spots.

And in third is Piscataway, which beat West Orange in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 5 semifinals Friday night, 38-35, on a 29-yard field goal by Patrick Novak with :01 left on the clock. Their SI increased from 80.55 to 83.20 with that win, which sends them back home to take on Irvington in the sectional title game at 1 pm Saturday.

Hillside – which was knocked out in the first round – and Elizabeth, which got upset by Passaic Tech Friday night in the semifinals – round out the top five.

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

Statewide, we have our seventh different No. 1 team as Glassboro jumps up from No. 5 to take the top spot away from Washington Twp, which dropped to third. Rancocas Valley jumped from four to two, while Don Bosco Prep fell on an idle week from three to four, and West Deptford fell from two to five.

As for the Big Central, Phillipsburg pulled up from 28 to 23, joining the state Top 25 this week, while Old Bridge skyrocketed from 60 to 35, and Piscataway went from 48 to 37, climbing 18 spots the past two weeks. Hillside – although their season is done – holds at 43.

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 #3: 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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

There was no change atop the Big Central Conference power rankings for Week Nine, as Phillipsburg, Elizabeth and Hillside remain the top three teams in the league by SI value for the second week in a row.

The Stateliners, Minutemen and Comets are followed by New Providence, who jumped up from seven to four, with Piscataway rounding out the top give after a 13-point home win over Bayonne Saturday afternoon.

St. Thomas Aquinas rose two spots to six, Old Bridge and Sayreville fell three places each to seventh and eighth, respectively. Somerville rose two places to nine, and A.L. Johnson – which lost in the opening round of the playoffs – rose two spots to tenth.

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

And, yet again, we have yet change at the top of the statewide rankings, with Washington Twp. making its first appearance at No. 1, moving up two spots. The Minutemen are the seventh different team in eleven weeks (including preseason) to hold the top spot, along with Winslow Twp. (preseason through Week 3), Don Bosco Prep (Weeks 4, 5, and 8), Donovan Catholic (Week 6), St. Augustine (Week 7), and Rancocas Valley (Week 9).

Then, it’s West Deptford up two spots to No. 2, Don Bosco Prep – which got the top-seed in Non-Public North A on Saturday – up three spots to third. Rancocas Valley dropped from one to four – even though they won their first round playoff game, and will host Sayreville Friday night – while Glassboro fell from two to five.

As for the Big Central, Phillipsburg and Elizabeth – which just snuck in the Top 25 last week – are back out, despite both winning their opening round playoff games. The Stateliners fell from 24 to 28, while the Minutemen dropped from 25 to 33.

Among other league teams in the Top 50, this week or last:

• Hillside – which was knocked out of the playoffs – fell from 32 to 43.
• New Providence climbed from 56 to 47.
• Piscataway climbed from 55 to 48.

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 #3: 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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

There was no change atop the Big Central Conference power rankings for Week Nine, as Phillipsburg, Elizabeth and Hillside remain the top three teams in the league by SI value after Cutoff Weekend games.

Piscataway’s loss at Sayreville dropped the Chiefs to No. 6 behind Old Bridge, which moved up two spots to No. 4, while the Bombers jumped up from seven to No. 5. After that, New Providence climbed two spots to seven, St. Thomas Aquinas jumped four spots after a win over St. Joseph-Metuchen from 12 to eight, while Rahway dropped from five to nine despite a Cutoff Weekend win over Edison. Bridgewater-Raritan held in the tenth spot.

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

And we have yet another No. 1 team in the statewide Top 25: Rancocas Valley. They jump from four to five and dethrone Don Bosco Prep, which lost 13-10 this week to St. Peter’s Prep. Glassboro holds at No. 2, while Washington Twp. pulled up two spots from five to three. West Deptford jumped from nine to four, and Old Tappan rose from eight to five.

And this week, two Big Central teams cracked the top five: Phillipsburg and Elizabeth. The Stateliners rose from 45 to 29 last week; this week they climbed five more spots to land at No. 24. The Minutemen were right behind them at 25, climbing up five spots from No. 30 last week.

Among other teams in the Top 50, this week or last:

• Hillside dropped one spot from 31 to 32.
• Old Bridge jumped from 58 to 36 after a road win at Ridge.
• Piscataway’s loss at Sayreville dropped them from 33 to 55.
• Rahway dropped from 40 to 67.

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 #3: 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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

The top of the Big Central Power Rankings remains a mish-mosh in Week Eight as we head into the playoff cutoff this weekend, with Phillipsburg regaining the top spot after a big home win over Bridgewater-Raritan Friday night at Maloney Stadium.

The Stateliners climbed from No. 5 to No. 1 and squeezed out last week’s top team, Elizabeth, which dropped to two. Hillside’s big win over Manville drove the Comets up from ten to three, with Piscataway dropping from two to four after a win over Monroe – even though their Strength Index value rose – and Rahway edging down one spot to fifth.

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

Rounding out the top ten, Old Bridge rose two spots from eight to six, Sayreville dropped one to seventh, Somerville pushed up one spot to No. 8, New Providence climbed from eleven to nine, and Bridgewater-Raritan dropped from third to tenth.

Statewide, yet again, we have a new No. 1 team: Don Bosco’s win ove DePaul helped them dethrone St. Augustine, which drops to third, while Glassboro edges up from three to take the No. 2 spot. Rancocas Valley jumps from six to four, while Washington Twp. shot up after a mammoth 42-17 win over Winslow, climbing from No. 14 to No. 5 in this week’s rankings.

While there still aren’t any Big Central teams in the statewide Top 25, five are still in the top 50. That’s one less team than last week, as Sayreville dropped from 47 to 64.

• Phillipsburg rose from 45 to 29, making them the highest-rated team in the league.
• Elizabeth held at 30, one spot behind the Stateliners.
• Hillside shot up from 71 to 31.
• Piscataway dropped one place to 33.
• Rahway rose three spots from 43 to 50.

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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

Elizabeth’s undefeated season continues to make its mark in the Big Central Conference, as the Minutemen have now jumped ahead of second-place Phillipsburg and last week’s top team, Piscataway, to take the No. 1 spot in the Big Central Conference Power Rankings for Week Seven.

That knocks Piscataway down to second, even though their SI went up, while Bridgewater-Raritan rose from five to three, and Rahway jumped from nine to four, while the Stateliners – who were idle – dropped to five; all those teams were winners last week, but to varying degrees.

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

Rounding out the top ten, Sayreville held at No. 6, Ridge rose from 13 to seven, Old Bridge kept the eight spot, Somerville dropped two places – after losing to the Bombers – into ninth, and Hillside crept up two spots to ten.

Statewide, we again have a new No. 1, as St. Augustine takes the top spot from Donovan Catholic, but the Griffins only drop to No. 2 this week, followed by Glassboro holding at three, and Don Bosco down two spots to four, while Old Tappan edges up one spot to get into the top five.

While no Big Central teams are in the Top 25 statewide again this week, a half-dozen are in the state Top 50:

• Elizabeth took Piscataway’s spot at 30, rising 14 spots this week.
• Piscataway fell from 30 to 32.
• Bridgewater-Raritan skyrocketed from 48 to 34.
• Rahway climbed from 61 to 43.
• Phillipsburg (idle) fell from 33 to 45.
• Sayreville climbed from 51 to 47.
• New Providence fell out of the Top 50 after getting beaten at home by Perth Amboy, falling to 76.

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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

Ridge’s upset of Phillipsburg and Piscataway’s win over Franklin has pushed the Chiefs to the top of the Big Central Conference Power Rankings after Week Six. That’s the first change at the top this season.

Since Piscataway moved up from No. 5, and the Stateliners only dropped to No. 2, that moves Elizabeth down one spot to third, while New Providence – thanks to a big win over Dayton – climbed from six to four, while Bridgewater-Raritan dipped one spot to five.

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

Rounding out the top ten, Sayreville fell from third to six after a loss at Old Bridge, Somerville rose from eleven to seven. Old Bridge held in eighth with the win over the Bombers, while Rahway fell to ninth – down two spots – and Bernards held in 10th with a comeback victory at Hillside.

Statewide, there’s a new No. 1, and it’s undefeated Donovan Catholic (6-0) out of the Shore Conference, taking over the top spot by nearly three points from Don Bosco Prep, the victim of a wild comeback by Bergen Catholic, which recovered from a 24-0 deficit. Yet, the Crusaders remain below Bosco in the standings, checking in at No. 5. (Remember, SI is the overall body of work, and carries over from the previous year, too.) Glassboro dropped from two to three, and Red Bank Catholic’s loss to Winslow left room for St. Augustine to power its way from 13 to four after a blowout win over Burlington Twp.

Here are other Big Central teams in the state Top 50:

• Piscataway rose 17 places from 47 to 30.
• Phillipsburg dropped from 28 to 33.
• Elizabeth dropped from 34 to 44.
• New Providence pulled up from outside the Top 50 at 51 to 48 this week.
• Bridgewater-Raritan dropped six places to 48.

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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps national ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

It’s yet another week for Phillipsburg at No. 1 in the Big Central Power rankings, but Elizabeth has closed the gap a little from the No. 2 position.

The Stateliners held on to the top spot with a 42-31 win over St. Joseph-Metuchen Monday, in a game rescheduled from Saturday due to the weekend Nor’easter. The Week Five numbers saw Sayreville climb up from No. 9 into the top five after beating St. Thomas Aquinas Friday, moving all the way up to third, as Rahway fell from third to seventh after Friday’s loss to Cranford. Bridgewater-Raritan climbs two spots from six to four after a shutout win at Westfield Saturday afternoon.

No. 5 Piscataway edges down one spot this week to six after Friday’s 27-26 loss at Old Bridge, with the Knights climbing from ten to eight. And Cranford’s win over Rahway Friday raised the Cougars three spots into the nine spot, while Bernards’ win at Delaware Valley Friday put then in the ten-spot.

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

Rounding out the top ten, it’s New Providence up two spots to No. 8, Sayreville up two to nine, and Old Bridge falling one spot to No. 10. St. Joseph-Metuchen fell out of the top ten with its loss at Elizabeth Friday night.

Statewide, Don Bosco Prep and Glassboro remain Nos. 1 and 2, while Donovan Catholic edged up from six to three, and Red Bank Catholic climbed from nine to four, with Bergen Catholic staying put to round out the Top Five.

Again, no Big Central teams made the Top 25, but Phillipsburg – which last was in three weeks ago before a loss at Freedom (PA) of Bethlehem – climbed even closer. After going from 33 to 29 last week, the Stateliners climbed another five spots this week to 28 – just three spots from cracking the Top 25.

Here are other Big Central teams in the state Top 50:

• Elizabeth dropped one place from 35 to 34.
• Sayreville shot up from 65 to 36.
• Bridgewater-Raritan rose from 16 to 42.
• Piscataway fell from 39 to 47.

Rahway dropped out, falling from 37 to 54, and Somerville fell from 41 to 71 after a loss to Montgomery. That leaves five BCC teams in the Top 50, compared with six last week.

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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps national ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

Just as they have been all year long, Phillipsburg remains No. 1 in the Big Central Conference Power Rankings for Week Four, while Elizabeth and Rahway continue to make strides and have narrowed the Stateliners’ lead.

Despite a win over South Brunswick, Piscataway’s SI value fell, and big wins by Elizabeth and Rahway moved the Minutemen and Indians over the Chiefs to take the No. 2 and 3 spots, with Piscataway dropping to four. Somerville joined the top five, knocking out St. Thomas Aquinas, which dropped to six with the win, while Bridgewater-Raritan’s narrow win over Ridge pushed the Panthers down just a bit in SI, but they fell from three to six with the gains made by Elizabeth and Rahway.

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

Rounding out the top ten, it’s New Providence up two spots to No. 8, Sayreville up two to nine, and Old Bridge falling one spot to No. 10. St. Joseph-Metuchen fell out of the top ten with its loss at Elizabeth Friday night.

Around the state, there’s a new No. 1, after Winslow lost to St. Augustine, a defeat that also dropped the only team with an SI over 100 back below that mark, leaving Don Bosco Prep in the top spot. Glassboro pulled up to second, and St. Augustine made a massive jump with the win from 15 to No. 3. Winslow fell three spots to four, while Bergen Catholic dropped two spots to fifth, bouncing Donovan Catholic out of the top five.

Once again this week, there were no Big Central teams in the Top 25, but Phillipsburg – which was in it two weeks ago before falling out after a loss to Freedom (PA) of Bethlehem – climbed a bit closer, from 33 to 29 after a blowout home win over Hillsborough. Other Big Central teams made gains, too.

• Elizabeth shot up from 67 to 33.
• Rahway rose from 59 to 37.
• Piscataway checks in at 39, up four spots.
• Somerville is at 41, climbing 15 places.
• Bridgewater-Raritan fell one spot to 46.

Overall, that’s six Big Central teams in the top 50 in the state.

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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps national ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

Phillipsburg remains No. 1 in the Big Central Conference Power Rankings for Week Three, but there’s a New No. 2 in town.

Piscataway rose from sixth to No. 2 this week after a blowout of East Brunswick, while Bridgewater fell to No. 3 after a blowout win over Hillsborough. St. Joseph-Metuchen fell one spot to fourth, while St. Thomas Aquinas rose from No. 11 to No. 5

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

Rounding out the top ten, Somerville climbed four spots to No. 6, Rahway edged up one spot to seventh, dropping Elizabeth one to eight. Old Bridge fell from five to nine, while New Providence dropped six spots into the tenth position.

Statewide, Phillipsburg, which made its move into the Top 25 last week, fell back out to 33. Four Big Central teams are in the Top 50. Besides Phillipsburg, there’s Piscataway (43), Bridgewater-Raritan (45) and St. Joseph-Metuchen (50).

Atop the rankings, the lead is ever slimmer for No. 1 Winslow, but they are also the first team to crack 100 this season, and we’ve only played three weeks. Don Bosco narrowed the gap, but remains in second at 99.64, followed by Bergen Catholic, which rose eleven spots to third and knocked Glassboro and Donovan Catholic down to four and five, respectively.

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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps national ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.

Once again, Phillipsburg and Bridgewater-Raritan remain the top two teams in the Week 2 Big Central power rankings – just as they did last week. And just like last week, there was much movement behind them.

St. Joseph-Metuchen – with a win over the Panthers Saturday afternoon, 43-36 – pulled up from No. 5 to No. 3. And while Bridgewater’s Strength Index rating fell as a result, it was not low enough overall to drop them in the rankings.

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

New Providence held at No. 4, while Old Bridge got its first win of the season and pulled up from 12th to fifth. Piscataway climbed four spots to No. 6 on the strength of a 28-14 win over a Somerville team that was rated higher than them. Elizabeth climbed four spots to seventh, Rahway edged up a spot to eight after knocking off Summit at home, Ridge went from 15 to 9 after a win over Sayreville, and Somerville’s loss to the Chiefs dropped them to ten.

Statewide, Phillipsburg made its move into the Top 25, the first team from the Big Central to appear there after no one did in the preseason or Week One. The Stateliners check in at No. 24 this week, a shade ahead of No. 25 Passaic Tech, going up six spots from No. 30. Bridgewater-Raritan had been knocking on the door at 32, but fell to 44 with the loss to the Falcons.

No. 1 Winslow saw its lead shrink a bit over Don Bosco Prep, from 5.58 points to 4.46, but continues to hold the top spot over the Ironmen. Glassboro remains in third, but Donovan Catholic surged up from nine to four with a 45-13 rout of St. John Vianney, while Shabazz moved into the five spot from six with a 13-0 whitewash of Passaic Tech.

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.

Out-of-State Opponent SI: Strength Index ratings for non-New Jersey teams are calculated by finding their MaxPreps national ranking, then averaging the SI ratings of the next New Jersey team above and below them in the MaxPreps rankings.