Top 20 Ranking

Jonathan Yardley, webmaster

 

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01.16.06 Monday

Top-20 teams didn’t have such a great week, and so there’s plenty of movement within the rankings themselves, although the state’s top 32 teams remain largely the same bunch. Morristown-Beard’s win boosted Mennen Division stock, but Randolph’s and Morris Knolls’ disappointing Saturday performances negated some of the positives. Bishop Eustace knocked off rival St. Augustine Prep but was severely outshot in the process. Top private Seton Hall Prep held form against all challengers, while former top public TRN fell off the boat in south Jersey in a loss to Monsignor Donovan. We’ll get some interesting matchups this week, especially in the NBIAL, where Ramapo will make the long drive to face St. Augustine Prep and Indian Hills will face Ramsey and Ramapo on back-to-back nights. Finally, Thursday night features a rematch of last year’s public state championship game, with Morris Knolls and Randolph squaring off.

 

Top 20 (records as available through 1/15/06)

  1—Seton Hall Prep (8-0-2, 7-0-2 Gordon) Last Week – 1

         This Week: 1/16 vs. DBP, 1/18 @ CBA, 1/23 vs. PDS

         The challenges never stop for the Pirates, who have another tough week ahead – watch out for Wednesday’s road game.

  2—Don Bosco Prep (6-3-1, 4-3-1 Gordon) Last Week – 2

         This Week: 1/16 @ SHP, 1/20 vs. SPP

         Ironmen get another shot at the top spot today but probably need a win Friday to hold onto the No. 2 ranking.

  3—Delbarton (6-3-1, 4-2-1 Gordon) Last Week – 3

         This Week: 1/17 vs. BC, 1/20 @ SJV, 1/21 vs. CBA

         Are their defensive problems a thing of the past? Playing St. John and CBA on back-to-back nights won’t be easy.

  4—Morristown-Beard (10-2, 6-2 MCSSIHL Mennen) Last Week – 8

         This Week: 1/18 @ SJMet, 1/20 vs. MH, 1/23 vs. Men

         I’m just as surprised as you are, but the Crimson have more Gordon Conference wins than half the division.

  5—St. John Vianney (6-4-1, 3-3-1 MCSSIHL Mennen) Last Week – 4

         This Week: 1/17 vs. RBC, 1/20 vs. Del

         Another two-loss week won’t cut it for the suddenly contending Lancers.

  6—Pope John (4-3-3, 1-3-3 Gordon) Last Week – 5

         This Week: 1/16 @ SPP, 1/21 @ BC

         Injuries are testing the Lions’ depth, but they need two wins from this week’s schedule.

  7—CBA (3-3-5, 1-3-5 Gordon) Last Week – 9

         This Week: 1/18 vs. SHP, 1/21 @ Del

         Can the Colts challenge St. Peter’s Prep’s record of six Gordon Conference ties? Let’s hope not.

  8—Morris Knolls (11-1, 7-1 MCSSIHL Mennen) Last Week – 11

         This Week: 1/17 @ PDS, 1/19 vs. Ran

         Solid across the board, the Golden Eagles still have too many marbles in one basket – the state’s best public line.

  9—St. Peter’s Prep (6-3-1, 1-3-1 Gordon) Last Week – 10

         This Week: 1/16 vs. PJ, 1/20 @ DBP

         At least they beat a team from New Jersey last week.

10—St. Augustine Prep (9-1, 8-1 Southern Red) Last Week – 6

         This Week: 1/18 vs. Rmpo

         You can’t play with the big boys until you take care of business in your own backyard. Still, one loss can’t ruin a team.

11—Bridgewater-Raritan (10-1, 7-0 Central Red) Last Week – 14

         This Week: 1/18 vs. Hboro, 1/20 vs. SJMet, 1/22 @ Vero

         Entering the season, who would’ve thought Wednesday’s game was the most important of this trio?

12—Bergen Catholic (1-6-4, 1-5-2 Gordon) Last Week – 12

         This Week: 1/17 @ Del, 1/21 vs. PJ

         Recent performances have proved the Crusaders capable of a result Tuesday.

13—Randolph (10-2-1, 7-1 MCSSIHL Mennen) Last Week – 7

         This Week: 1/19 vs. MK

         Yes, I’m dropping a team six spots despite a 2-0 week. Try scoring some goals.

14—Red Bank Catholic (7-5-1, 5-3 Southern Red) Last Week – 15

         This Week: 1/17 @ SJV

         Nobody can quite figure the Caseys out, but a win Tuesday would really throw a wrench into things.

15—Bishop Eustace (7-4, 4-2 Southern Red) Last Week – NR

         This Week: 1/19 @ MidN, 1/20 vs. MD

         St. Augustine Prep win hardly an isolated result; Crusaders also beat PDS and Notre Dame.

16—Chatham (10-3, 6-2 MCSSIHL Mennen) Last Week – 13

         This Week: 1/19 @ Sum, 1/20 @ WE

         Cougars didn’t deserve to drop this fall, but the Southern Red teams deserved to move up.

17—Montgomery (10-1, 6-0 Central White) Last Week – 17

         This Week: 1/17 vs. Ste, 1/18 @ SB

         Steinert will have something to prove Tuesday.

18—Ramapo (9-0-2, 9-0-1 NBIAL) Last Week – 19

         This Week: 1/16 vs. FL, 1/18 @ SA, 1/21 @ IH

         Now that’s a tough three-game schedule … are they for real?

19—Paramus Catholic (8-1-3, 3-0-3 Northern Red) Last Week – 20

         This Week: 1/20 @ SJMont, 1/21 vs. SJMont

         Just the Northern Red on the line Friday and Saturday; no pressure, boys.

20—Clifton (8-2-2, 3-2-2 Northern Red) Last Week – NR

         This Week: 1/20 vs. Pri, 1/21 @ Vern

         I like the Princeton matchup. Ought to tell us a lot more about this revolving-door No. 20 spot.

 

Dropped Out:
No. 16 Toms River North (8-4, 4-4 Southern Red)

No. 18 St. Joseph Metuchen (6-2-2, 4-1-2 Central Red)

 

Best of the Rest (ranks 21-32, alphabetically)

Fair Lawn

Hillsborough

Indian Hills

Monsignor Donovan

Notre Dame

Princeton

Ramsey

Ridge

Ridgewood

St. Joseph Montvale

Steinert

Toms River North

 

Previous Polls: Dec. 19  |  Dec. 26  |  Jan. 2  |  Jan. 9  |  Jan. 16  |  Jan. 23  |  Jan. 30  |  Feb. 6  |  Feb. 13  |  Feb. 27  |  Final

 

White/Blue Polls: Jan. 16  |  Jan. 23  |  Jan. 30  |  Feb. 6  |  Feb. 13  |  Feb. 27  |  Final