Oct 24, 2024
New Jersey’s high school football brackets will be set for public schools on Sunday, which means Saturday is the cutoff for games to count toward the United Power Rankings. The following locals are on track to make the playoffs: Hopewell Valley (No. 2 in South III), Allentown (No. 8 in South III), Nottingham (No. 13 in South III), Northern Burlington (No. 10 in South IV), Steinert (No. 14 in South IV) and Princeton (No. 16 in South IV). Princeton and Steinert might need to win their last games in order to qualify in that section. Hightstown at No. 18 has an outside chance to move into the top 16 if it can pull of a huge upset of Hopewell Valley. Meanwhile, Hopewell Valley will clinch the outright Capitol Division title with a win. Princeton, Trenton, Hamilton West and Robbinsville all have a chance to win at least a share of the Valley Division title. Notre Dame, ranked No. 12 in Non-Public B, will be seeded in that bracket by a committee next weekend. Here’s what to watch for in Week Eight of the WJFL. Friday Allentown (6-2) at Notre Dame (5-3), 6 p.m. Allentown can likely seal a home playoff win with a victory, and it would also keep the Redbirds in the hunt to share the Capitol title if Hopewell gets upset by Hightstown. There should be plenty of offense in this game as Allentown averages 31.3 points and Notre Dame averages 31.6. The Irish are less prone to turning the ball over, but they lost quarterback Julian Matera to an injury in their 26-23 loss to Nottingham last week. If he’s unable to play this week, Allentown would have a significant advantage. Riverside (6-2) at Lawrence (3-5), 6 p.m. Lawrence’s season started with promise when it opened 3-0 for the first time in eight years, but it’s been all downhill since. It’s hard to see a division win here considering Riverside recently won decisively over Bordentown and Pemberton, two teams that beat Lawrence. Riverside excels at running the ball with 1,937 yards and 23 touchdowns on the year. Robbinsville (2-6) at Trenton (4-4), 6 p.m. Both of these schools are reeling as they meet for the first time in history. Robbinsville has lost four straight and Trenton has lost three straight. But give the edge to Trenton at home because the Tornadoes are tougher defensively and should be able to get their running game going. The Ravens have allowed 141 points in their last four games and gave up 249 rushing yards to Hamilton West last week. A win for Trenton would clinch at least a share of the Valley title with Princeton. Hopewell Valley (8-0) at Hightstown (2-6), 7 p.m. Hopewell can wrap up its second undefeated regular season in three years, the Capitol title and probably a No. 1 seed in the state tournament with a victory. The Bulldogs have scored at least five touchdowns in seven of their wins and should be able to keep their balanced attack rolling in this game. Hightstown has shutout wins over Nottingham and West Windsor but gave up 74 points to Notre Dame and Allentown. Saturday Nottingham (3-5) at Steinert (3-4), 11 a.m. Nottingham has responded from starting 0-5 with a tough schedule to moving into the playoff field by winning three straight with at least 26 points in each game against Hamilton West, Princeton and Notre Dame. Steinert’s wins came over Cherry Hill West, Hightstown and Moorestown. Nottingham’s rushing attack (269 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame) has been more consistently good of late, so the Northstars are the slight favorite in this game. West Windsor-Plainsboro (2-6) at Princeton (4-4), 11 a.m. West Windsor has struggled to score outside of two wins against Hamilton West and Lawrence a few weeks ago, so Princeton is well-positioned to win its last regular season game and make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Tigers are coming off arguably their most well-rounded performance of the season where they blew out Trenton by 31 points with 171 passing yards and 197 rushing yards along with five takeaways. Ewing (2-6) at Hamilton West (2-5), 2 p.m. This should be a fun battle of rushing attacks as both teams racked up well over 200 yards on the ground last week. Ewing edged West Windsor, 14-7, and Hamilton West plowed past Robbinsville, 43-21. Hamilton West lost to West Windsor four weeks ago, but the Hornets’ recent surge and the fact that they’re playing at home should give them a slight advantage in this game.
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