Public Groups 3-4-5
October 29. 2024
It’s playoff time, and we have all been waiting for this. I have explanations for why I rank teams. Arguments can be made for the teams I have at the bottom of the order, the hardest part to rank. But I think the playoffs will separate the men from the boys, the cream will rise to the top, and the regular season has been a dress rehearsal. Remember, I do not penalize a public school for losing to a good Catholic school.
1 – Winslow (9-0) – Big wins came against St. Augustine, Millville, Camden, and Mainland. They have outscored opponents, 361-58 with four shutouts.
2 – Toms River North (9-0) – Big wins came against Brick Memorial, Point Pleasant Boro, Southern, Toms River South, and Downingtown East (Pa.). Opponents have been outscored 341-39 with five shutouts.
3 – Millville (6-2)* – Their losses are against top-ranked Winslow and St. Augustine and I do not public schools for losing to a Catholic school. Wins include Holy Spirit, Atlantic City, and Mainland. They outscored the opposition, 268-103.
4 – Union City (7-1)* – Their lone loss is to St. Peter’s Prep. Since then they have outscored their opponents 315-26 with four shutouts. Wins include Bayonne, Northern Highlands, and Irvington.
5 – Ridge (7-1)* – Their lone loss was to St. Joe’s (Metuchen) by three points. Wins include Phillipsburg, Hillsborough, and Westfield. They have outscored the opposition, 303-119.
6 – Phillipsburg (7-1) – Their lone loss was to #5 Ridge, 28-21. They have outscored their opponents, 305-129 with two shutouts. Wins include St. Joe’s (Metuchen), Hillsborough, West Orange, and Westfield.
7 – Woodbridge (9-0) – Quality wins include St. Joe’s (Metuchen), Plainfield, Old Bridge, Summit, and Watchung Hills. Their opponents have been outscored, 301-182.
8 – Morris Knolls (8-0) – Quality wins include West Morris, Mount Olive, and West Essex. They have outscored the opposition, 270-113.
9 – Somerville (9-0) – Quality wins are against Hillsborough, Cranford, Rahway, Summit, and Watchung Hills. They have outscored opponents, 321-78 with two shutouts.
10 – Hopewell Valley (9-0) – Quality wins came against Notre Dame, Burlington Township, Seneca, and Allentown. They outscored their opponents 356-111.
11 – Washington Township (7-2) – Losses were to Millville and Rancocas Valley. Quality wins came against Kingsway, Pennsauken, Northern Highlands, and Timber Creek. They outscored their opponents, 194-140.
12 – Brick Memorial (7-2) – Losses were to Toms River North and Point Pleasant Boro. Quality wins came against Donovan Catholic, Southern, Allentown, and Toms River South. They outscored the opposition 253-136 with two shutouts.
13 – Rancocas Valley (7-2) – Losses wee to Pascack Valley and Camden, whale quality wins came against St. Augustine, Washington Township, and Shawnee. They have outscored the opposition, 286-164.
14 – Middletown North (7-0) – Quality wins come against St. John Vianney, Freehold Township, and Red Bank. They have outscored their opponents, 229-69.
15 – Pascack Valley (7-1) – Their one loss was to Northern Highlands. Quality wins came against Old Tappan, Rancocas Valley, Westwood, and River Dell and they have outscored their opponents, 245-94 with two shutouts.
16 – Passaic Tech (7-2) – Losses were to Ramapo and Irvington. Quality wins came against West Orange and Ridgewood while outsourcing their opponents, 234-96 with three shutouts.
17 – Atlantic City (6-2) – Losses were in their first two games against Mainland and Millville. Since then, they have beaten quality teams, such as Cedar Creek, Ocean City, Cherokee, Vineland, and Eastern. They have outscored the opposition, 228-155.
18 – Old Tappan (7-1) – Pascack Valley handed them their first loss last week. Quality wins are against West Essex, River Dell, Ramapo, Northern Highlands, and Wayne Hills. They have outscored opponents, 268 to 74, with three shutouts.
19 – Holmdel (7-1)* – Their lone loss was to St. John Vianney. Quality wins were against Wall and Manalapan is 4-5, but all losses are competitive. They have scored 307 points and allowed 153.
20 – West Morris (7-2) – Losses are to #8 Morris Knolls by one point in overtime and Mount Olive. Quality wins come against Mendham, Montville, a 4-5 Morristown who has been competitive in their losses. They have outscored opponents, 289-98 with three shutouts.
21 – Mainland (6-3)* – Their losses are against Winslow, St. Augustine, and Millville. Quality wins are against Atlantic City, Ocean City, and Cherokee (tough schedule). They have outscored the opposition, 208-166 with three shutouts.
22 – West Essex (6-2) – Their losses come against Old Tappan and Morris Knolls and quality wins are against Passaic Valley, Hanover Park, Caldwell, and Wayne Hills. They have scored 179 points allowed 96 with two shutouts.
23 – Mendham (8-1) – They lost to arch-rival West Morris on opening night and their quality wins come against Chatham, Montville, and Randolph. They have scored 284 points and allowed 98 with three shutouts.
24 – Sparta (7-1) – Their lone loss was Montville in the opener and they play them again this weekend. Quality wins come against West Milford and Newton, the only teams with winning records. They scored 289 points and allowed 104.
25 – Burlington Township (8-1) – Quality wins were against Delran and Burlington City. They outscored the opposition, 257-52 with three shutouts.
In: Mendham
Out: Central Regional
*Lost to a Catholic school
Also (listed in alphabetical order by record): Cherry Hill East (8-0), Mendham (8-1), Cedar Creek (7-2), Kingsway (7-2), Rahway (7-2), West Orange (7-2), Bayonne (6-2), Chatham (6-2), Cranford (6-2), East Orange (6-2), Montville (6-2), Newark Central (6-2), Passaic Valley (6-2), Pennsauken (6-2), Allentown (6-3)*, Bridgeton (6-3), Hillsborough (6-3), Oakcrest (6-3), Old Bridge (6-3), Piscataway (6-3), River Dell (6-3), Seneca (6-3)*, Shawnee (6-3), Southern (6-3), Wayne Valley (6-3), Marlboro (5-3)*, Mount Olive (5-3), Plainfield (5-3), Ramapo (5-3), Ridgewood (5-3), Summit (5-3), Triton (5-3), Vineland (5-3), Irvington (4-3), Eastern (5-4), Elizabeth (5-4), Freehold Township (5-4), Ocean City (5-4)*, Toms River South (5-4), Watchung Hills (5-4), Wayne Hills (5-4), West Milford (5-4), Northern Highlands (4-4), Westfield (4-4), Cherokee (4-5)*, Manalapan (4-5), Timber Creek (4-5)