Week 7 Shore Conference Football State Tournament Watch

As the Shore Conference enters Week 7, there are just two weeks of regular season games remaining for public schools and three weeks of regular season games remaining for parochial schools. This will be the second 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: There are two WJFL games scheduled on Monday night between Camden and Timber Creek as well as Woodbury and Willingboro which will change power points and OSI for a variety of teams and could potentially change the UPR rankings by Tuesday morning.

It is also worth noting that there will be a significant amount of change over the next two weeks due to all the games that still have yet to be played.

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

South 5 Super Section

Rank	School	Record	Power Points	OSI	Northing	UPR
1	Washington Township	(8-0-0)	16.13	69.96	331522	1
2	Atlantic City	(7-1-0)	13.50	63.37	195062	2
3	Sayreville	(7-1-0)	13.00	57.61	593494	3.6
4	Southern	(7-1-0)	12.63	55.94	321363	4.6
5	Rancocas Valley	(4-4-0)	11.25	58.77	426362	4.6
6	Old Bridge	(7-1-0)	12.25	52.75	573209	6.8
7	Kingsway	(6-2-0)	10.88	52.81	338847	7.4
8	Toms River North	(4-4-0)	10.00	53.59	418784	8.8
9	Cherry Hill East	(8-0-0)	12.00	43.32	380313	11.4
10	Cherokee	(3-5-0)	7.63	51.49	377908	11.8
11	Eastern	(5-3-0)	10.13	44.7	370330	12
12	Williamstown	(3-5-0)	8.63	48.4	309759	12
13	Hillsborough	(3-5-0)	9.38	47.74	606237	12.2
14	Freehold Township	(5-3-0)	10.38	44.42	505181	12.4
15	Howell	(3-5-0)	7.63	44.47	492909	14.2
16	Bridgeton	(6-2-0)	10.38	41.23	221412	15.4
17	Trenton	(5-3-0)	10.75	40.26	504979	15.6
18	Franklin	(4-4-0)	7.63	41.86	613927	17.2
19	Hunterdon Central	(4-4-0)	7.25	42.74	613480	17.2
20	Jackson Township	(2-6-0)	6.00	42.59	458135	18.6
21	Atlantic Tech	(2-5-0)	6.57	35.54	222248	22.4
22	Lenape	(0-8-0)	4.50	38.68	396439	23.4
23	Edison	(1-7-0)	4.88	36.36	612521	24.2
24	North Brunswick	(0-8-0)	4.00	36.95	589622	24.4
25	South Brunswick	(3-5-0)	5.25	35.1	561248	24.6
26	East Brunswick	(2-6-0)	5.50	34.95	583066	24.8
27	Egg Harbor	(1-7-0)	5.75	33.63	204488	25.6
28	Perth Amboy	(1-7-0)	5.13	34.34	615630	26.2
29	Vineland	(1-6-0)	4.00	30.24	234612	28.6
30	West Windsor-Plainsboro	(0-8-0)	3.88	28.09	536345	30
31	Monroe	(1-7-0)	3.50	27.44	544359	31
32	New Brunswick	(0-8-0)	2.88	26.7	599617	32

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. Based on our interpretation of the rules, we do not believe that Williamstown would leap Cherokee despite appearing to be directly behind them and owning a head-to-head win since Cherokee is tied with Cherry Hill East in UPR and owns the tiebreaker which is OSI. Since there is a team between them, no leap would occur. Hillsborough owns the tiebreaker over Eastern, but it does not effect the seeding since they are placed in different geographic brackets.

Central Jersey Group 5

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

The three Shore Conference teams would each be forced to travel in the first round. Toms River North appeared in the South Jersey bracket last week, but would be in Central Jersey currently since an extra south jersey team entered the field which bumped them up. Toms River North defeated Rancocas Valley in the sectional final so that would make for an interesting first round game. Howell and Freehold Township would be significant underdogs against Washington Township and Sayreville.

Toms River North has some opportunities to move up with games against Rumson-Fair Haven and Point Boro remaining on the schedule. Howell has tough games with Point Boro and Donovan Catholic left, and will probably need to win at least one to remain in the field. Freehold Township will be favored against Lacey, but could really use an upset victory over Manalapan to ensure they qualify for the playoffs.

South Jersey Group 5

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

Southern dropped off of the one-seed line despite beating Manchester. They are jostling with the three teams above them to try to earn home field advantage. Their best hope would be to root for those teams to lose along with knocking off a strong Brick Memorial team at home this week. They will be heavily favored against Toms River South in their final game. They would currently host Eastern in the first round.

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Jackson (19)

South 4 Super Section

Rank	School	Record	Power Points	OSI	Northing	UPR
1	Winslow Township	(6-2-0)	14.75	70.57	332430	1.4
2	Brick Memorial	(6-2-0)	14.88	64.92	463079	1.6
3	Shawnee	(5-3-0)	11.38	53.77	373217	5
4	Manalapan	(5-3-0)	11.00	54.61	529893	5.2
5	Millville	(3-4-0)	10.00	54.77	207801	5.8
6	Middletown North	(3-3-0)	10.83	53.07	571161	6.8
7	Central	(7-1-0)	11.38	50.36	385817	7.4
8	Red Bank	(4-3-0)	12.00	49.76	552684	7.6
9	Princeton	(6-2-0)	12.38	44.17	554914	7.8
10	Pennsauken	(6-2-0)	10.38	50.65	420424	8.4
11	Middletown South	(3-4-0)	8.86	51.46	557456	9.4
12	Steinert	(5-2-0)	9.29	43.41	503272	11.6
13	Northern Burlington	(5-3-0)	8.50	40.91	456554	14
14	Hamilton	(5-2-0)	9.14	37.14	497211	15.6
15	Hammonton	(1-7-0)	6.25	42.77	300450	15.8
16	Toms River East	(4-4-0)	7.25	37.19	413395	17
17	Highland Regional	(3-5-0)	6.38	38.7	352582	17.2
18	Cumberland	(5-3-0)	8.00	36.68	235115	17.4
19	Marlboro	(2-6-0)	5.50	39.04	544983	18.2
20	Toms River South	(2-6-0)	6.25	35.99	408701	20
21	Hightstown	(3-5-0)	6.75	35.14	519773	20.4
22	Lawrence	(4-4-0)	7.88	33.14	521504	20.8
23	Moorestown	(1-7-0)	5.38	35.53	420915	22.2
24	Cherry Hill West	(2-6-0)	5.75	34.93	400012	22.6
25	Colts Neck	(2-6-0)	4.75	32.79	525776	25
26	Long Branch	(0-8-0)	4.38	30.69	531106	27
27	Clearview	(0-8-0)	4.00	31.92	335416	27.2
28	Freehold Boro	(2-6-0)	4.38	28.07	522531	27.6
29	Lakewood	(2-6-0)	4.63	24.87	461561	27.8

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 heavy underdogs in their remaining two games according to Gridiron New Jersey’s strength index. Brick Memorial would be the top-seeded team in Central Jersey since they are further north than Winslow. Millville owns the tiebreaker over Princeton, but it does not effect the seeding since they are currently in different geographic brackets.

Central Jersey Group 4

1. Brick Memorial
2. Manalapan
3. Red Bank
4. Princeton
5. Middletown North
6. Steinert
7. Middletown South
8. Marlboro

Brick Memorial climbs into the one seed after a victory over crosstown rival Brick along with losses from Manalapan and Red Bank. The Mustangs would host Marlboro in this scenario and be a heavy favorite to get all the way to the sectional final. Manalapan and Middletown South would be a very intriguing rematch from early in the season. Red Bank would currently host Steinert while Middletown North would travel to Princeton.

Brick Memorial has a solid chance to lock up the top seed regardless of what everyone else does if they can take care of business against undefeated Southern and Jackson. Manalapan will likely need to beat Donovan Catholic and Freehold Township and receive help in order to move up. Similarly, Red Bank will need to defeat Middletown South and Long Branch as well as receive help to climb. Middletown North still has opportunities to earn a home game in the first round, but they have some tough games against Matawan and Holmdel. Middletown South is steadily climbing in the rankings after two straight wins. The Eagles could surge if they manage to upset Red Bank and Rumson-Fair Haven. Marlboro probably needs to shock the world as underdogs and defeat at least one of Wall or Red Bank Catholic to remain in the field.

South Jersey Group 4

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

Central fell from the second to third seed despite a win over Toms River South. Currently they would host Northern Burlington before likely having to travel to Shawnee which would be a difficult sectional semifinal. Toms River East jumps into the field this week after a win over Lacey. The reward for slipping in as the final seed would be traveling to Winslow, one of the highest ranked public schools in New Jersey.

Central is likely limited in terms of how far they can move up since they will not gain much from beating Long Branch and could only gain a moderate amount from beating Ocean. At this point, they should hope to maintain their ranking which may require other teams such as Millville losing. Toms River East hosts rival Toms River South before traveling to Pinelands for the Class C South title game. That Pinelands game will be worth a large haul of power points. The Raiders are looking to not just remain firmly in the field, but also climb off the eight-line.

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Marlboro (17), Colts Neck (24), Toms River South (25), Lakewood (26), Long Branch (28), Freehold Boro (29)

South 3 Super Section

Rank	School	Record	Power Points	OSI	Northing	UPR
1	Burlington Township	(8-0-0)	17.25	65.91	448156	1
2	Cedar Creek	(7-1-0)	14.25	62.02	261457	2.6
3	Holmdel	(5-2-0)	12.86	62.9	564532	3.2
4	Somerville	(7-1-0)	13.75	59.9	635872	3.6
5	Seneca	(6-2-0)	12.50	57.3	372090	5.4
6	Pleasantville	(5-3-0)	11.25	54.82	209264	7.2
7	Hopewell Valley	(6-2-0)	12.38	51.77	544436	8
8	Neptune	(7-1-0)	12.50	46.63	502695	8.4
9	Mainland	(4-4-0)	8.88	52.11	186268	9.4
10	Ewing	(6-2-0)	13.13	44.04	517526	10
11	Matawan	(5-3-0)	10.13	45.3	574487	11
12	Delsea	(4-4-0)	8.50	48.78	283308	11
13	Cinnaminson	(4-4-0)	8.50	44.58	427112	13.4
14	Triton	(6-2-0)	10.25	43.05	370516	13.6
15	Timber Creek	(2-6-0)	6.75	45.12	338495	14.8
16	Pinelands	(6-2-0)	9.50	39.01	282849	15.6
17	Brick Township	(3-5-0)	7.00	41.15	451737	17.4
18	Ocean City	(4-4-0)	6.38	43.49	162756	17.8
19	Ocean Township	(4-4-0)	7.88	37.83	522204	17.8
20	Barnegat	(3-5-0)	7.50	34.07	341690	20.6
21	Absegami	(3-5-0)	6.38	34.31	235778	22
22	Robbinsville	(3-5-0)	6.75	33.95	511632	22
23	Oakcrest	(2-6-0)	6.00	36.61	226886	22
24	Lacey	(2-6-0)	6.25	35.07	372587	22.2
25	Pemberton	(1-6-0)	6.57	31.51	421822	25.2
26	Allentown	(1-7-0)	5.13	33.76	488060	26.2
27	Deptford	(2-6-0)	5.25	33.52	356640	26.4
28	Nottingham	(1-7-0)	5.38	32.99	508717	26.6

Burlington Township would move into Central Jersey due to being located further north than Cedar Creek. Seneca leaps Pleasantville in the rankings due to being located directly behind them and owning a head-to-head victory.

Central Jersey Group 3

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

Holmdel managed to jump Somerville this week, but Cedar Creek passed them in UPR which pushed Burlington Township into the top seed in Central Jersey. Neptune would travel to Holmdel in the first round which would be a massive test for the much improved Scarlet Fliers. Matawan would head up to Somerville who is having a strong season in the BCC.

The Hornets will need to win against Raritan and Middletown North as well as receive some help to earn the top seed. They can hope for Ocean City to knock off Cedar Creek which seems like the best possibility. The Huskies can help their seeding tremendously if they can defeat Middletown North and Shore maybe even to the point of earning a home game. Neptune is still jostling to stay in the field, but wins over Barnegat and Raritan should be enough to qualify.

South Jersey Group 3

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

Pinelands is still clinging to the final seed after a win over Barnegat. The Wildcats would be slated to travel to Cedar Creek in the first round.

The margin for error appears to be very thin and a loss to Manchester likely eliminate them so it will be a must win in that game as well as the Class C South title game against Toms River East the following week.

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Brick (18), Ocean (19), Barnegat (21), Lacey (23),

South 2 Super Section

Rank	School	Record	Power Points	OSI	Northing	UPR
1	Haddonfield	(5-2-0)	14.57	63.43	389412	1.6
2	Camden	(6-2-0)	13.50	66.27	400695	2.6
3	West Deptford	(7-1-0)	14.50	57.6	372730	3.2
4	Delran	(7-1-0)	14.38	56.66	430066	4.2
5	Wall	(5-2-0)	13.29	56.31	486980	6.4
6	Rumson-Fair Haven	(4-3-0)	11.14	60.67	559763	7.4
7	Johnson	(6-1-0)	13.43	50.69	652055	8.4
8	Manasquan	(6-1-0)	12.71	54.76	471713	8.4
9	Bordentown	(6-1-0)	14.14	47.52	480459	10
10	Gloucester City	(4-3-0)	11.00	55.39	384255	10.2
11	Lower Cape May	(6-2-0)	12.88	45.81	54144	12.8
12	Collingswood	(5-3-0)	12.00	46.79	393828	13.4
13	Point Pleasant Boro	(3-4-0)	8.71	51.07	454094	13.8
14	Willingboro	(4-4-0)	9.88	49.25	429254	14
15	Voorhees	(7-1-0)	12.13	45.25	679056	14.2
16	Overbrook	(6-2-0)	10.75	47.87	343819	14.2
17	Camden Eastside	(3-5-0)	8.25	50.55	406209	15.8
18	Spotswood	(7-1-0)	11.25	39.45	570295	17.8
19	Sterling	(7-1-0)	11.38	37.72	365615	18
20	Governor Livingston	(3-5-0)	9.63	41.5	675224	19
21	Raritan	(3-4-0)	8.57	41.88	580492	19.6
22	Delaware Valley	(5-3-0)	8.75	40.16	629936	20
23	Monmouth	(5-3-0)	9.88	37.35	536018	21.2
24	Hillside	(2-5-0)	6.86	37.39	677069	23.8
25	Metuchen	(4-4-0)	7.50	33.26	626373	25.8
26	Haddon Heights	(2-6-0)	5.50	36.31	382768	25.8
27	Roselle	(1-6-0)	5.86	36.25	663134	26
28	Middle Township	(0-8-0)	3.75	29.72	88311	29.6
29	South River	(0-8-0)	4.50	28.75	584509	29.6
30	Manchester Township	(0-8-0)	4.13	28.88	426978	29.8
31	Lindenwold	(1-6-0)	4.57	23.83	360102	30.4
32	Mastery HS of Camden	(0-7-0)	4.14	24.37	408714	30.6

Camden would move into Central Jersey due to being located further north than Haddonfield. Point Boro would own the tiebreaker over both Overbrook and Spotswood due to a higher OSI. Overbrook would earn the final spot over Spotswood due to a higher OSI. West Deptford would also own a tiebreaker over Bordentown, but it does not effect seeding in this scenario since they are in different geographic regions.

Central Jersey Group 2

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

Any scenario that puts Camden into this section immediately makes this one of the toughest public school brackets in the state. Point Boro would be forced to travel back to Camden in the first round where they pulled off the upset in the sectional final last season. Wall would host Voorhees where they would likely be favored before awaiting the winner of Rumson-Fair Haven and Manasquan which would be a marquee first round game.

The Crimson Knights have an opportunity to move up if they can take care of business against Marlboro and then win the Class B North title with a victory over St. John Vianney. They would have to hope for Haddonfield to drop a game. Rumson-Fair Haven needs to defeat Toms River North and Middletown South to avoid dropping any further. They can potentially climb especially with a Wall loss. Manasquan will be heavily favored against Brick and Colts Neck so they will have to take care of business and hope for some help to move up and potentially host a first round game. Point Boro will be favored against Howell before facing a Toms River North squad that is starting to play better at the right time. The Panthers need to win not only to move up, but to ensure they do not miss the field.

South Jersey Group 2

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

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

Raritan (20), Monmouth (23), Manchester (29)

South 1 Super Section

Rank	School	Record	Power Points	OSI	Northing	UPR
1	Glassboro	(8-0-0)	13.13	57.32	321240	1.4
2	Burlington City	(7-1-0)	15.88	50.55	450623	2.2
3	Paulsboro	(7-1-0)	12.00	54.23	366230	2.8
4	Shore	(5-2-0)	12.14	42.77	532907	3.6
5	Riverside	(6-2-0)	12.00	38.32	437761	6.4
6	Pennsville	(4-4-0)	8.00	42.11	298623	7.8
7	KIPP Cooper Norcross	(5-2-0)	10.14	36.23	403131	8.8
8	Salem	(4-4-0)	7.88	41.13	267906	8.8
9	Asbury Park	(4-3-0)	9.86	36.02	508451	9.8
10	Point Pleasant Beach	(5-2-0)	10.29	35.84	457575	10.2
11	Woodbury	(3-5-0)	7.13	40.37	367103	11.4
12	Manville	(8-0-0)	9.75	34.75	622982	12
13	Schalick	(2-6-0)	6.25	37.3	253992	13.8
14	Audubon	(2-5-0)	7.29	36	383604	14
15	Clayton	(4-3-0)	8.14	32.89	302836	15.2
16	Highland Park	(2-5-0)	7.86	33.63	607713	15.2
17	Maple Shade	(4-4-0)	8.63	32.36	406524	15.4
18	Bound Brook	(5-3-0)	7.38	33.01	631517	16.6
19	New Egypt	(3-4-0)	7.43	30.22	455670	19.2
20	Woodstown	(2-6-0)	5.13	34.2	298698	19.4
21	Middlesex	(2-6-0)	5.88	31.5	636919	21.2
22	Gateway	(5-3-0)	7.13	29	358992	21.6
23	Pitman	(4-3-0)	6.43	27.17	331023	24.2
24	Florence	(1-7-0)	5.00	30.03	458588	24.6
25	Penns Grove	(0-8-0)	3.88	31.13	323524	25
26	Keansburg	(2-5-0)	5.71	27.23	586044	25.2
27	Buena	(2-5-0)	6.00	27.04	255994	25.6
28	South Hunterdon	(0-7-0)	4.71	27.6	566139	26.6
29	Wildwood	(3-5-0)	5.50	26.06	55741	27.4
30	Keyport	(1-7-0)	4.88	25.1	581098	29.8
31	Haddon Township	(2-4-0)	4.67	25.53	390910	30
32	Palmyra	(0-8-0)	3.75	23.32	426151	32

Paulsboro would move into Central Jersey since they are located further north than Glassboro. Pennsville owns the tiebreaker over Audubon due to having a higher OSI as well as a head-to-head win.

Central Jersey Group 1

1. Paulsboro
2. Burlington City
3. Shore
4. Riverside
5. Point Beach
6. Manville
7. Asbury Park
8. Bound Brook

The movement from Paulsboro knocks most of the teams down a line. Shore would host undefeated Manville in the first round. Point Beach would travel to Riverside. Asbury Park would head down to Burlington City.

The Blue Devils have a lot of ground to make up on Burlington City in OSI and power points. They have to win against Monmouth and Matawan and hope for some help from Maple Shade who is a significant underdog. Point Beach could potentially pass Riverside if they defeat Keansburg and Riverside falls to Lawrence in the final week in what looks to be an even game. Moving up to the four-seed would mean a home game. Asbury Park is battling to remain in the field. They will need to beat at least one of New Egypt and Freehold Boro possibly both.

South Jersey Group 1

1. Glassboro
2. Woodbury
3. Salem
4. Pennsville
5. Audubon
6. Schalick
7. Maple Shade
8. KIPP Cooper Norcross

Shore Conference teams currently on the outside looking in:

New Egypt (20), Keyport (27), Keansburg (31)

Non-Public B

Rank	School	Record	Power Points	OSI	Northing	UPR
1	Red Bank Catholic	(7-1-0)	14.88	72.62	552168	1
2	DePaul	(5-2-0)	12.71	66.48	774008	2.4
3	Donovan Catholic	(5-3-0)	12.88	60.09	410809	2.6
4	Paul VI	(4-3-0)	10.43	54.64	388291	5
5	Paramus Catholic	(3-5-0)	10.25	57.57	773179	5.2
6	Holy Spirit	(4-3-0)	10.14	52.67	213515	6.8
7	St. Joseph (Hamm.)	(6-1-0)	11.86	46.07	292813	8.2
8	St. John Vianney	(4-4-0)	9.63	49.86	571000	8.6
9	Immaculata	(6-2-0)	10.00	48.69	636159	8.8
10	Pingry	(4-3-0)	10.43	38.5	663327	9.8
11	St. Thomas Aquinas	(5-3-0)	8.13	48	636652	10.6
12	Bishop Eustace	(6-1-0)	10.14	33.9	400176	13.4
13	Notre Dame	(3-5-0)	6.75	39.83	517565	14
14	St. Mary	(3-5-0)	7.88	38.06	727367	14
15	Pope John	(1-6-0)	4.57	46.89	800845	14
16	Holy Cross	(4-4-0)	8.38	32.6	433030	16.2
17	Hudson Catholic	(1-6-0)	5.57	37.32	689866	16.2
18	Morris Catholic	(3-4-0)	5.57	34.02	753661	16.8
19	Morristown-Beard	(5-3-0)	7.00	32.57	717592	18
20	Montclair Kimberley	(2-6-0)	7.00	31.37	724430	18.6
21	Camden Catholic	(0-8-0)	4.50	33.05	402836	19.2
22	Gloucester Catholic	(0-7-0)	3.57	25.96	387794	22

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.