Public Groups 1-2
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, and the regular season has been a dress rehearsal. Remember, I do not penalize a public school for losing to a good Catholic or large public school.
1 – Rumson-Fair Haven (8-0) – Quality wins are against Point Pleasant Boro, Group 5 Marlboro, Red Bank Catholic, Donovan Catholic, Manchester Township, and Group 4 Middletown South. They have outscored opponents, 318-98.
2 – Camden (6-2) */** – Their losses come to Holy Spirit and undefeated Group 4 Winslow. Quality wins are against Group 5 Kingsway, Group 4 Shawnee, Group 5 Rancocas Valley, and Group 3 Timber Creek. They have outscored their opponents, 227-134.
3 – Point Pleasant Boro (7-2) ** – Their losses are against Rumson-Fair Haven and undefeated Group 5 Toms River North. Quality wins are against Donovan Catholic, Brick Memorial, Group 4 Steinert, Group 4 Jackson, and Group 5 Howell. They scored 316 points and allowed 161.
4 – Glassboro (8-0) – Their quality wins come against Woodstown, Group 3 Cinnaminson, and Schalick. Last week’s Woodstown win came against a previously undefeated team. They have outscored their opponents, 257-39 with four shutouts.
5 – Westwood (7-1) – Their only loss was to Group 3 Pascack Valley and quality wins came against Group 3 River Dell, Caldwell, Ramsey, and Weequahic. They have outscored opponents, 224-89.
6 – Bernards (9-0) – Quality wins were against Delaware Valley, Summit, and Hillside. They scored 266 points and allowed 83 with two shutouts.
7 – Wall (6-1) ** – Their only loss is to Group 3 Holmdel and their quality wins are against St. John Vianney, Group 4 Manalapan, and Group 5 Howell. They have outscored their opponents 184-101.
8 – Cedar Grove (9-0) – Quality wins are against Caldwell, Madison, Schalick, Group 4 Newark Central, Verona, Boonton, Glen Ridge, and Weequahic. They scored 390 points and allowed 116.
9 – Butler (8-0) – Their wins include Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, New Milford, Waldwick/Midland Park, and Becton. They have outscored their opponents, 304-58 with two shutouts.
10 – Hanover Park (7-1) ** – Their only loss is a 22-21 heartbreaker to Group 3 West Essex. Quality wins are against Pequannock, Madison, Mountain Lakes, Glen Ridge, and Weequahic. They have outscored opponents, 259-76.
11 – Willingboro (6-3) */** – Their losses come against Paul VI, Group 3 Timber Creek, and Group 3 Seneca. Quality wins Haddonfield and Woodbury. They have scored 222 points and allowed 147.
12 – Woodstown (7-1) – Their only loss came last week against Glassboro. Quality wins are against Group 3 Delsea, Schalick, and Woodbury. They have scored 175 and allowed 88.
13 – Delran (8-1) ** – Their only loss is to 8-1, Group 3 Burlington Township, and their top wins are against Group 3 Cinnaminson and Group 4 Northern Burlington. They have outscored opponents, 273-120.
14 – Shore (8-0) – Quality wins are against Group 3 Pinelands, Point Pleasant Beach, and New Egypt. They have scored 287 points and allowed 56 with four shutouts.
15 – Glen Rock (7-1) – Quality wins are against St. Mary, New Milford, Rutherford, Waldwick/Midland Park, and Pompton Lakes. They outscored opponents, 260-105 with three shutouts.
16 – Haddonfield (5-3)* – They lost to Willingboro, Group 3 Seneca, and Paul VI: all by a touchdown each. Quality wins are against Burlington City, Woodbury, and West Deptford. They have outscored the opposition, 173-132.
17 – Johnson (7-1) – Their only loss is to Delaware Valley and quality wins are against New Providence and Metuchen. They have scored 277 points and allowed 133.
18 – Shabazz (6-2) * – Losses were against Immaculata and Caldwell, while quality wins were against Snyder and Verona. They outscored opponents, 289-98.
19 – Manchester Township (7-2) – Their losses are to Group 5 Southern and Rumson-Fair Haven. Quality wins come against West Deptford Group 3 Pinelands, Group 3 Jackson Liberty, Barnegat, and Point Pleasant Beach. They scored 228 points and allowed 174.
20 – New Providence (7-2) – Their losses were against Johnson and Verona. Quality wins come against Delaware Valley, Metuchen, and Middlesex. They outscored the opposition, 229-133.
21 – Delaware Valley (6-2) – Losses are against Bernards and New Providence, while quality wins are against Johnson. Their other opponents have a 13-31 record. They scored 195 points and allowed 83 with two shutouts.
22 – High Point (8-1) – Their only loss is to Newton and the only team they have beaten with a winning record is 5-4 Wallkill Valley. They have two wins against 4-5 teams and four against schools that are 3-5. They have scored 346 and allowed 163.
23 – Belvidere (7-1) – They lost to Boonton in the opener and have quality wins against Manville and Middlesex. They scored 279 points and allowed 74 with five shutouts.
24 – Madison (5-3) – They lost their first three games against Hanover Park, Group 3 Mendham, and Cedar Grove. Quality wins since then are against Pequannock and Mountain Lakes. They scored 234 points and allowed 137.
25 – Pequannock (7-2) – Their losses were against Hanover Park and Madison, with quality wins against St. Mary, Mountain Lakes, and Ramsey. They outscored opponents, 251-121.
*Lost to a Catholic school
** Lost to a good large school public school
In: Madison, Pequannock
Out: Boonton, Newton
Also (listed in alphabetical order by record): Spotswood (8-1), Lyndhurst (7-1), Pitman (6-1), Manville (7-2), Paulsboro (7-2), Becton (6-2), Hasbrouck Heights (6-2), New Milford (6-2), Ramsey (6-2), Rutherford (6-2), Haddon Township (5-2), Barnegat (6-3), Boonton (6-3), Burlington City (6-3), Metuchen (6-3), Middlesex (6-3), Riverside (6-3), Schalick (6-3), Verona (6-3), Cresskill/Emerson (5-3), Highland Park (5-3), Middle Township (5-3), New Egypt (5-3), Newton (5-3), Point Pleasant Beach (5-3), Clayton (4-3-1), Park Ridge (4-3-1), Hillside (5-4), Wallkill Valley (5-4), West Deptford (5-4), Caldwell (4-4), Mountain Lakes (4-4), Waldwick/Midland Park (4-4), Wood-Ridge (4-4-1), Woodbury (3-5)