Unofficial (but generally pretty accurate) UPR rankings has Penns Grove holding the final spot in the South Jersey Group I playoffs heading into final regular-season game; official list has Red Devils 20th
By Riverview Sports News
Penns Grove’s hopes for a spot in the Group I football playoffs may not be as far off as the final nine minutes of its game Saturday at Woodbury might have led one to believe.
In the South Jersey Group I power ratings updated Sunday by Gridiron New Jersey, the official supplier of the state’s UPR rankings that determine the 16-team playoff brackets, the Red Devils were No. 20, one full UPR point behind current No. 16 Audubon. The outlet noted its rankings would change “slightly” when it finalizes Strength Index Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Central Jersey Sports Radio index, which has been one of the most accurate unofficial UPR sources, has the Red Devils in a more favorable position. It lists them at No. 16, four-tenths of a point ahead of No. 17 Highland Park.
The Red Devils (1-7) wrap up their regular season Saturday at winless Salem (0-8) and will have to win the game to at least meet the minimum wins qualification for playoff consideration.
Their position looked strong early in the second half Saturday. They grabbed a nine-point lead early in the third quarter and carried it into the fourth. They held a two-point lead with less than six minutes to play, then misplayed a punt and fumbled a pitch that led to Woodbury touchdowns.
Woodstown, Schalick and Pennsville all seem safely in the field. If Pennsville gets in, it will be the Eagles’ first playoff appearance since 2019.
Here are the rankings according to the two groups:
SJ Group I power ratings
| TOP 16 | (as of Oct. 20) | |||
| SCHOOL | RECORD | POWER PTS | OSI | UPR |
| Glassboro | 7-0 | 12.00 | 57.08 | 2.4 |
| Woodstown | 7-0 | 11.57 | 61.83 | 3.0 |
| Shore | 7-0 | 13.71 | 45.61 | 3.4 |
| Paulsboro | 6-2 | 11.81 | 48.65 | 4.0 |
| Schalick | 5-3 | 10.13 | 49.7 | 5.4 |
| Haddon Twp. | 5-1 | 11.58 | 41.19 | 6.2 |
| Riverside | 6-2 | 12.13 | 38.32 | 8.0 |
| Middlesex | 6-2 | 11.38 | 40.13 | 8.2 |
| Burlington City | 5-3 | 10.50 | 39.67 | 9-2 |
| Pennsville | 4-4 | 8.44 | 40.94 | 10.4 |
| Woodbury | 3-4 | 7.71 | 42.88 | 10.8 |
| New Egypt | 5-2 | 8.86 | 38.67 | 11.0 |
| Manville | 6-2 | 9.25 | 37.35 | 11.8 |
| Clayton | 4-2-1 | 8.00 | 34.00 | 16.8 |
| Pt. Pleasant Beach | 4-3 | 7.71 | 35.68 | 16.8 |
| Audubon | 2-4 | 7.83 | 34.78 | 17.0 |
20. Penns Grove (1-7) 18.0, 21. Salem (0-8) 19.4. Source: Gridiron New Jersey
PROJECTED PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
(Based on current standings)
SOUTH JERSEY
Glassboro vs. Audubon
Middlesex vs. Burlington City
x-Paulsboro vs. New Egypt
x-Schalick vs. Manville
CENTRAL JERSEY
Shore vs. Clayton
Haddon Twp. vs. Woodbury
Riverside vs. Pennsville
Woodstown vs. Point Pleasant Beach
x-Schalick jumps Paulsboro based on head-to-head
CENTRAL JERSEY RADIO RANKINGS
South Jersey Group I Top 16
1. Glassboro, 2. Woodstown, 3. Shore, 4. Paulsboro, 5. Schalick, 6. Middlesex, 7. Haddon Twp., 8. Riverside, 9. Burlington City, 10. Woodbury, 11. Pennsville, 12. New Egypt, 13. Manville, 14. Clayton, 15. Audubon, 16. Penns Grove.
If this scenario remains, Penns Grove would play Glassboro or Woodstown in the first round of the playoffs, depending on who wins that game Friday night.
Riverview Sports News 