Week 8 Shore Conference Football State Tournament Watch

As the Shore Conference enters Week 8, there is just one week of regular season games remaining for public schools and two weeks of regular season games remaining for parochial schools. This will be the third installment of the “Shore Conference Football State Tournament Watch” which will take a look at each NJSIAA football super section that involves Shore Conference teams and analyze where each team currently stands in regards to the postseason.

It is important to note that the NJSIAA has changed the format of the state tournament once again for the public schools, this time bringing back a geographic element. The two highest ranked teams in each super section will be designated as the No. 1 seeds in each of the four sectional brackets throughout the state. The team with the higher designated “northing number” will be designated as the No. 1 seed in Central Jersey while the team with the lower designated “northing number” will be designated as the No. 1 seed in South Jersey. The remaining teams (3-16) will be sorted by northing number. The seven teams with higher northing numbers will be seeded into Central Jersey while the seven teams with lower northing numbers will be seeded into South Jersey.

Once again, the winner of the Central Jersey sectional championship will play against the winner of the South Jersey sectional championship in the state semifinals. The winner of that game will play the winner of the North 1 vs. North 2 state semifinal game in the state championship game at Rutgers or MetLife Stadium.

For the full breakdown on the state playoff format and formulas and tiebreakers used to seed the teams please follow the link to the NJSIAA Tournament Regulations

The NJSIAA posts the official UPR rankings on GridironNewJersey.com

Note: The strength index for out-of-state teams will not be finalized until Tuesday so there could be some adjustments on that day.

In many brackets, week-to-week movement has been very volatile so it is likely there will still be a lot of movement in the final rankings.

Without further ado, here is where the Shore Conference currently stands in the postseason.

South 5 Super Section

RankSchoolRecordPower PointsOSINorthingUPR
1Washington Township(8-0-0)16.1369.963315221
2Atlantic City(7-1-0)13.5063.371950622
3Sayreville(7-1-0)13.0057.615934943.6
4Southern(7-1-0)12.6355.943213634.6
5Rancocas Valley(4-4-0)11.2558.774263624.6
6Old Bridge(7-1-0)12.2552.755732096.8
7Kingsway(6-2-0)10.8852.813388477.4
8Toms River North(4-4-0)10.0053.594187848.8
9Cherry Hill East(8-0-0)12.0043.3238031311.4
10Cherokee(3-5-0)7.6351.4937790811.8
11Eastern(5-3-0)10.1344.737033012
12Williamstown(3-5-0)8.6348.430975912
13Hillsborough(3-5-0)9.3847.7460623712.2
14Freehold Township(5-3-0)10.3844.4250518112.4
15Howell(3-5-0)7.6344.4749290914.2
16Bridgeton(6-2-0)10.3841.2322141215.4
17Trenton(5-3-0)10.7540.2650497915.6
18Franklin(4-4-0)7.6341.8661392717.2
19Hunterdon Central(4-4-0)7.2542.7461348017.2
20Jackson Township(2-6-0)6.0042.5945813518.6
21Atlantic Tech(2-5-0)6.5735.5422224822.4
22Lenape(0-8-0)4.5038.6839643923.4
23Edison(1-7-0)4.8836.3661252124.2
24North Brunswick(0-8-0)4.0036.9558962224.4
25South Brunswick(3-5-0)5.2535.156124824.6
26East Brunswick(2-6-0)5.5034.9558306624.8
27Egg Harbor(1-7-0)5.7533.6320448825.6
28Perth Amboy(1-7-0)5.1334.3461563026.2
29Vineland(1-6-0)4.0030.2423461228.6
30West Windsor-Plainsboro(0-8-0)3.8828.0953634530
31Monroe(1-7-0)3.5027.4454435931
32New Brunswick(0-8-0)2.8826.759961732

Since Washington Township is further north than Atlantic City, they would be the top-seeded team in Central Jersey. Howell would leap Freehold Township in the rankings due being one spot behind them and having a head-to-head victory. Williamstown would jump Eastern due to being tied in UPR and owning the tiebreaker which is OSI. Rancocas Valley would jump Southern due to being tied in UPR and owning the tiebreaker which is OSI, but it would not effect their current seeds since they are in different geographic regions.

Central Jersey Group 5

  1. Washington Township
  2. Sayreville
  3. Rancocas Valley
  4. Old Bridge
  5. Toms River North
  6. Hillsborough
  7. Howell
  8. Freehold Township

Toms River North moved up a seed line after a big upset win over Rumson-Fair Haven. The Mariners would currently be traveling to Old Bridge in the first round. Howell and Freehold Township remain in the same spots as last week currently matched up against the same teams.

Toms River North could potentially earn a home game with a win over Point Boro if they can receive some help in the form of Old Bridge losing to Colonia. It is also worth noting that if Bridgeton, who is the lowest seed in the field, loses next week and one of Trenton, Franklin, or Hunterdon Central enters the field that Toms River North could get bumped into the South bracket due to currently being the southernmost Central Jersey team. Howell and Freehold Township have opportunities to most likely solidify their spots in the field if they can win their respective games against Donovan Catholic and Manalapan. A loss would probably leave their status in jeopardy pending other results.

South Jersey Group 5

  1. Atlantic City
  2. Southern
  3. Kingsway
  4. Cherokee
  5. Cherry Hill East
  6. Williamstown
  7. Eastern
  8. Bridgeton

Despite the loss to Brick Memorial, Southern remains entrenched in the two slot. They would currently host Eastern in the first round.

The Rams will be heavily favored to defeat Toms River South in the final week. Both Atlantic City and Sayreville play tough private schools in the final week so it will be interesting to see how it shakes out should both teams lose. At the very least, Southern should be able to maintain their seed with a win.

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Jackson (20)

South 4 Super Section

RankSchoolRecordPower PointsOSINorthingUPR
1Winslow Township(6-2-0)14.7570.573324301.4
2Brick Memorial(6-2-0)14.8864.924630791.6
3Shawnee(5-3-0)11.3853.773732175
4Manalapan(5-3-0)11.0054.615298935.2
5Millville(3-4-0)10.0054.772078015.8
6Middletown North(3-3-0)10.8353.075711616.8
7Central(7-1-0)11.3850.363858177.4
8Red Bank(4-3-0)12.0049.765526847.6
9Princeton(6-2-0)12.3844.175549147.8
10Pennsauken(6-2-0)10.3850.654204248.4
11Middletown South(3-4-0)8.8651.465574569.4
12Steinert(5-2-0)9.2943.4150327211.6
13Northern Burlington(5-3-0)8.5040.9145655414
14Hamilton(5-2-0)9.1437.1449721115.6
15Hammonton(1-7-0)6.2542.7730045015.8
16Toms River East(4-4-0)7.2537.1941339517
17Highland Regional(3-5-0)6.3838.735258217.2
18Cumberland(5-3-0)8.0036.6823511517.4
19Marlboro(2-6-0)5.5039.0454498318.2
20Toms River South(2-6-0)6.2535.9940870120
21Hightstown(3-5-0)6.7535.1451977320.4
22Lawrence(4-4-0)7.8833.1452150420.8
23Moorestown(1-7-0)5.3835.5342091522.2
24Cherry Hill West(2-6-0)5.7534.9340001222.6
25Colts Neck(2-6-0)4.7532.7952577625
26Long Branch(0-8-0)4.3830.6953110627
27Clearview(0-8-0)4.0031.9233541627.2
28Freehold Boro(2-6-0)4.3828.0752253127.6
29Lakewood(2-6-0)4.6324.8746156127.8

We are projecting Hammonton to miss the field despite being ranked in the top sixteen since they are currently lower than the two win threshold required to make the state tournament and they are a heavy underdog in their final game against Shawnee according to Gridiron New Jersey’s strength index. Princeton has been disqualified from the state playoffs by the NJSIAA due having too many players ejected from games this season. Brick Memorial would be the top-seeded team in Central Jersey since they are further north than Winslow. Central would hop Middletown North since they are directly behind them and have a head-to-head victory, but it does not currently effect seeding since they are in different geographic regions.

Central Jersey Group 4

1. Brick Memorial
2. Manalapan
3. Middletown North
4. Red Bank
5. Middletown South
6. Steinert
7. Northern Burlington
8. Hamilton

Central Jersey Group 4 currently runs through Brick Memorial after the Mustangs win over Southern created a large gap between them and the rest of the field. They would currently host Hamilton in the first round before taking on the winner of Red Bank and Middletown South. While Middletown South just defeated Red Bank last week, they would not leap them in the rankings because they are not directly behind them in the super section, only in the geographic region. So as of now, Red Bank would host that game. Manalapan and Middletown North would currently host Northern Burlington and Hamilton respectively.

Brick Memorial will be favored to defeat Jackson in the final week, but it looks like they will be the top seed regardless of the outcome. The field is gaining ground on Manalapan so they will have to take care of business against Freehold Township otherwise it could potentially cost them a second round home game. It also appears that Middletown North might be able to jump Manalapan if they manage to upset Holmdel. The Lions surged two spots after beating Matawan last week. Red Bank will be heavily favored against Long Branch, but that game will not provide enough power points or OSI to jump anyone and will instead move them backwards in both categories. If Middletown South can upset Rumson-Fair Haven, they could potentially climb several spots and earn a home game.

South Jersey Group 4

1. Winslow
2. Shawnee
3. Millville
4. Central
5. Pennsauken
6. Toms River East
7. Highland
8. Cumberland

Central dropped another seed line despite winning their fourth game in a row. The Golden Eagles are currently slated to host Pennsauken. Toms River East appears to have gained the most from the Princeton disqualification coupled with Hammton’s likelihood to miss the field as they rose from the eight-seed to the six-seed. The Raiders are currently slated to travel to Millville.

Central should be modest favorites against Ocean in their final game and it is possible that a win coupled with a potential Millville loss to St. Augustine could propel the Golden Eagles into the third-seed. Toms River East’s division title game against Pinelands would earn a large haul of power points should they win. There may be too large a gap for the Raiders to pass Pennsauken, but they could at least solidify their current spot.

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Marlboro (19), Toms River South (20), Colts Neck (25), Long Branch (26), Freehold Boro (28), Lakewood (29)

Marlboro and Toms River South appear to still have a shot to make the field if they can pull off monumental upsets in the final week. Marlboro would have to knock off Red Bank Catholic while Toms River South would have to knock off Southern. Marlboro could even potentially move up with a loss to Red Bank Catholic due to the OSI multiplier, but they would need some help.

South 3 Super Section

RankSchoolRecordPower PointsOSINorthingUPR
1Burlington Township(8-0-0)17.2565.914481561
2Cedar Creek(7-1-0)14.2562.022614572.6
3Holmdel(5-2-0)12.8662.95645323.2
4Somerville(7-1-0)13.7559.96358723.6
5Seneca(6-2-0)12.5057.33720905.4
6Pleasantville(5-3-0)11.2554.822092647.2
7Hopewell Valley(6-2-0)12.3851.775444368
8Neptune(7-1-0)12.5046.635026958.4
9Mainland(4-4-0)8.8852.111862689.4
10Ewing(6-2-0)13.1344.0451752610
11Matawan(5-3-0)10.1345.357448711
12Delsea(4-4-0)8.5048.7828330811
13Cinnaminson(4-4-0)8.5044.5842711213.4
14Triton(6-2-0)10.2543.0537051613.6
15Timber Creek(2-6-0)6.7545.1233849514.8
16Pinelands(6-2-0)9.5039.0128284915.6
17Brick Township(3-5-0)7.0041.1545173717.4
18Ocean City(4-4-0)6.3843.4916275617.8
19Ocean Township(4-4-0)7.8837.8352220417.8
20Barnegat(3-5-0)7.5034.0734169020.6
21Absegami(3-5-0)6.3834.3123577822
22Robbinsville(3-5-0)6.7533.9551163222
23Oakcrest(2-6-0)6.0036.6122688622
24Lacey(2-6-0)6.2535.0737258722.2
25Pemberton(1-6-0)6.5731.5142182225.2
26Allentown(1-7-0)5.1333.7648806026.2
27Deptford(2-6-0)5.2533.5235664026.4
28Nottingham(1-7-0)5.3832.9950871726.6

Burlington Township would be the top seed in Central Jersey due to being located further north than Cedar Creek. Delsea would leap Matawan due to being tied in UPR and having the tiebreaker which is OSI, but it does not effect seeding since they are in different geographic regions.

Central Jersey Group 3

1. Burlington Township
2. Holmdel
3. Somerville
4. Hopewell Valley
5. Neptune
6. Ewing
7. Matawan
8. Cinnaminson

Holmdel remains steady on the two-line where they would currently host Matawan who dropped after a loss to Middletown North. Neptune climbed after a victory over Barnegat, but they are still currently looking at a road game this time at Hopewell Valley.

The Hornets would need to beat Middletown North and receive help in the form of a Burlington Township or Cedar Creek loss to earn a one seed which appears unlikely based on their opponents in the final week. Still, Holmdel needs to win because Somerville is currently at their heels jostling for the second seed. Neptune needs to win against Raritan in their division championship and probably receive some help to earn a home game. Similarly, Matawan needs to beat Shore and get some help to move up.

South Jersey Group 3

1. Cedar Creek
2. Seneca
3. Pleasantville
4. Mainland
5. Delsea
6. Triton
7. Timber Creek
8. Pinelands

This section remains completely unchanged from last week. Pinelands is still clinging to the final seed and would be slated to travel to Cedar Creek in the first round.

A win over Toms River East in their division championship game would probably ensure Pinelands spot in the field. The Wildcats could potentially move up a slot if they get some help in addition to a victory.

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Brick (17), Ocean (19), Barnegat (20), Lacey (24)

South 2 Super Section

RankSchoolRecordPower PointsOSINorthingUPR
1Haddonfield(5-2-0)14.5763.433894121.6
2Camden(6-2-0)13.5066.274006952.6
3West Deptford(7-1-0)14.5057.63727303.2
4Delran(7-1-0)14.3856.664300664.2
5Wall(5-2-0)13.2956.314869806.4
6Rumson-Fair Haven(4-3-0)11.1460.675597637.4
7Johnson(6-1-0)13.4350.696520558.4
8Manasquan(6-1-0)12.7154.764717138.4
9Bordentown(6-1-0)14.1447.5248045910
10Gloucester City(4-3-0)11.0055.3938425510.2
11Lower Cape May(6-2-0)12.8845.815414412.8
12Collingswood(5-3-0)12.0046.7939382813.4
13Point Pleasant Boro(3-4-0)8.7151.0745409413.8
14Willingboro(4-4-0)9.8849.2542925414
15Voorhees(7-1-0)12.1345.2567905614.2
16Overbrook(6-2-0)10.7547.8734381914.2
17Camden Eastside(3-5-0)8.2550.5540620915.8
18Spotswood(7-1-0)11.2539.4557029517.8
19Sterling(7-1-0)11.3837.7236561518
20Governor Livingston(3-5-0)9.6341.567522419
21Raritan(3-4-0)8.5741.8858049219.6
22Delaware Valley(5-3-0)8.7540.1662993620
23Monmouth(5-3-0)9.8837.3553601821.2
24Hillside(2-5-0)6.8637.3967706923.8
25Metuchen(4-4-0)7.5033.2662637325.8
26Haddon Heights(2-6-0)5.5036.3138276825.8
27Roselle(1-6-0)5.8636.2566313426
28Middle Township(0-8-0)3.7529.728831129.6
29South River(0-8-0)4.5028.7558450929.6
30Manchester Township(0-8-0)4.1328.8842697829.8
31Lindenwold(1-6-0)4.5723.8336010230.4
32Mastery HS of Camden(0-7-0)4.1424.3740871430.6

Camden would be the top seed in Central Jersey due to being located further north than Haddonfield. Manasquan would leap A.L. Johnson due to being tied in UPR and having the tiebreaker which is OSI.

Central Jersey Group 2

1. Camden
2. Wall
3. Rumson-Fair Haven
4. Manasquan
5. A.L. Johnson
6. Bordentown
7. Point Boro
8. Voorhees

This group has been the toughest to project to date due to how close many of the teams are. Wall remains steady on the two-line and would currently host Point Boro in the first round. Rumson-Fair Haven managed to cling to their spot on the three-line despite losing to Toms River North and would currently host Bordentown. Manasquan jumped Bordentown and A.L. Johnson which lines them up for a home game currently against A.L. Johnson.

The Crimson Knights’ division title game against St. John Vianney will determine if they can solidify the two-seed. Should they lose, it is possible several teams could pass them including Rumson-Fair Haven and Manasquan. Rumson-Fair Haven needs to beat Middletown South to put them in position to pass Wall if they lose or to at least hold their spot at the three-seed. Manasquan will be heavily favored against Colts Neck, but they need to win to secure a game game and potentially pass Wall or Rumson-Fair Haven if they lose. Point Boro is in the most interesting position of all. A loss could potentially knock the Panthers out of the field or at least into the eight-seed while a win could move them up a spot or two. They are also currently the southernmost team in Central Jersey so if Spotswood manages to slip into the field and the rest of the teams north of them remain in they could find themselves in South Jersey.

This bracket can also get totally thrown into chaos if another South Jersey team manages to make the field such as Camden Eastside in place of a team like Point Boro or Voorhees because Delran would get pushed up to Central Jersey and a handful of teams would drop a seed-line.

South Jersey Group 2

1. Haddonfield
2. West Deptford
3. Delran
4. Gloucester City
5. Lower Cape May
6. Collingswood
7. Willingboro
8. Overbrook

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Raritan (21), Monmouth (23), Manchester (30)

South 1 Super Section

RankSchoolRecordPower PointsOSINorthingUPR
1Glassboro(8-0-0)13.1357.323212401.4
2Burlington City(7-1-0)15.8850.554506232.2
3Paulsboro(7-1-0)12.0054.233662302.8
4Shore(5-2-0)12.1442.775329073.6
5Riverside(6-2-0)12.0038.324377616.4
6Pennsville(4-4-0)8.0042.112986237.8
7KIPP Cooper Norcross(5-2-0)10.1436.234031318.8
8Salem(4-4-0)7.8841.132679068.8
9Asbury Park(4-3-0)9.8636.025084519.8
10Point Pleasant Beach(5-2-0)10.2935.8445757510.2
11Woodbury(3-5-0)7.1340.3736710311.4
12Manville(8-0-0)9.7534.7562298212
13Schalick(2-6-0)6.2537.325399213.8
14Audubon(2-5-0)7.293638360414
15Clayton(4-3-0)8.1432.8930283615.2
16Highland Park(2-5-0)7.8633.6360771315.2
17Maple Shade(4-4-0)8.6332.3640652415.4
18Bound Brook(5-3-0)7.3833.0163151716.6
19New Egypt(3-4-0)7.4330.2245567019.2
20Woodstown(2-6-0)5.1334.229869819.4
21Middlesex(2-6-0)5.8831.563691921.2
22Gateway(5-3-0)7.132935899221.6
23Pitman(4-3-0)6.4327.1733102324.2
24Florence(1-7-0)5.0030.0345858824.6
25Penns Grove(0-8-0)3.8831.1332352425
26Keansburg(2-5-0)5.7127.2358604425.2
27Buena(2-5-0)6.0027.0425599425.6
28South Hunterdon(0-7-0)4.7127.656613926.6
29Wildwood(3-5-0)5.5026.065574127.4
30Keyport(1-7-0)4.8825.158109829.8
31Haddon Township(2-4-0)4.6725.5339091030
32Palmyra(0-8-0)3.7523.3242615132

Burlington City would be the top-seed in Central Jersey due to being located further north than Glassboro. Salem would leap KIPP Cooper Norcross due to being tied in UPR and having the tiebreaker which is OSI, but it does not effect the seeding since they are in different geographic regions. Highland Park would leap Clayton due to being tied in UPR and having the tiebreaker which is OSI, but it does not effect the seeding since they are in different geographic regions.

Central Jersey Group 1

1. Burlington City
2. Shore
3. Riverside
4. KIPP Cooper Norcross
5. Asbury Park
6. Point Beach
7. Manville
8. Highland Park

Paulsboro’s loss to West Deptford was significant because it enabled Burlington City to climb back to the top-seed which bumped Shore and others up a seed line. Shore is currently slated to face undefeated Manville in the first round at home. Asbury Park would travel to KIPP Cooper Norcross. Point Beach would travel to Riverside.

While Shore probably cannot climb any higher, they need to beat Matawan to hold their ground as Riverside is currently right behind them. Asbury Park could potentially earn a home game with a win over Freehold Boro if they can get some help. Point Beach needs to defeat Keansburg to ensure they do not drop.

South Jersey Group 1

1. Glassboro
2. Paulsboro
3. Pennsville
4. Salem
5. Woodbury
6. Schalick
7. Audubon
8. Clayton

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

New Egypt (19), Keansburg (26), Keyport (30)

Non-Public B

RankSchoolRecordPower PointsOSINorthingUPR
1Red Bank Catholic(7-1-0)14.8872.625521681
2DePaul(5-2-0)12.7166.487740082.4
3Donovan Catholic(5-3-0)12.8860.094108092.6
4Paul VI(4-3-0)10.4354.643882915
5Paramus Catholic(3-5-0)10.2557.577731795.2
6Holy Spirit(4-3-0)10.1452.672135156.8
7St. Joseph (Hamm.)(6-1-0)11.8646.072928138.2
8St. John Vianney(4-4-0)9.6349.865710008.6
9Immaculata(6-2-0)10.0048.696361598.8
10Pingry(4-3-0)10.4338.56633279.8
11St. Thomas Aquinas(5-3-0)8.134863665210.6
12Bishop Eustace(6-1-0)10.1433.940017613.4
13Notre Dame(3-5-0)6.7539.8351756514
14St. Mary(3-5-0)7.8838.0672736714
15Pope John(1-6-0)4.5746.8980084514
16Holy Cross(4-4-0)8.3832.643303016.2
17Hudson Catholic(1-6-0)5.5737.3268986616.2
18Morris Catholic(3-4-0)5.5734.0275366116.8
19Morristown-Beard(5-3-0)7.0032.5771759218
20Montclair Kimberley(2-6-0)7.0031.3772443018.6
21Camden Catholic(0-8-0)4.5033.0540283619.2
22Gloucester Catholic(0-7-0)3.5725.9638779422

The parochial state tournament is seeded manually by a committee designated by the NJSIAA that uses head-to-head results, strength of schedule, and other criteria to seed the teams. The top 16 teams qualify for the field so Red Bank Catholic, Donovan Catholic, and St. John Vianney are all currently in the field.