Exiled Top 20 Ranking

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12.15.03 Monday

Well, I’m not ready to start ranking teams since three days have been wiped out with snow and I’ve seen only three regular-season games, but I promised, so here goes anyway. Just remember, this is the second week of December, so rankings are fairly immaterial but still fun to talk about. And it’s no secret there appears to be a decent-sized gap between the top five and the rest.

White/Blue Top 20 ranking for lower-division teams will be coming around New Year’s.

 

Top 20 (records as available through 12/14/03)

  1 — Bergen Catholic (2-0, 2-0 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/15 @ HC, 12/19 vs. SJV

         I’m not in the habit of keeping defending champs No. 1, but BC earned it with a 3-2 win over CBA.

  2 — CBA (2-1, 2-1 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/17 vs. Bri, 12/19 @ RBC

         Colts have a strong returning class, a great coach, and the nucleus for a state title run.

  3 — St. John Vianney (3-0, 2-0 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/16 vs. LaS-PA, 12/19 @ BC, 12/21 @ DBP

         Obviously riding the impressive 2-0 win over Seton Hall Prep and will have a chance at No. 1 Friday.

  4 — Delbarton (3-0-1, 3-0 MCSSIHL Mennen Division)

         This Week: 12/19 vs. DBP

         After surprisingly close games against Randolph and Knolls, Green Wave faces big test Friday.

  5 — Seton Hall Prep (1-1-1, 1-1 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/15 @ Port, 12/20 vs. Bri

         After playing Meadville (Pa.) to the same 3-3 tie as Delbarton, Pirates face weakened rival Brick.

  6 — Pope John (4-0, 4-0 Northern Red)

         This Week: 12/19 vs. Ten, 12/20 vs. Lak

         Yeah, they haven’t played anybody and won’t until January, but they’re winning big and playing well.

  7 — Don Bosco Prep (0-2, 0-1 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/17 @ SJMet, 12/19 @ Del

         Ironmen had Brick game snowed out Sunday and face St. Joe’s Wednesday ahead of a big Friday clash.

  8 — Hudson Catholic (1-1, 1-1 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/15 vs. BC, 12/19 @ SPP

         Hawks appear to have found a replacement for A.J. Drago and showed well in a 3-1 loss to CBA.

  9 — St. Peter’s Prep (2-0, 2-0 Central Red)

         This Week: 12/19 vs. HC

         Marauders appear to be the class of the Central Red and face a huge Friday encounter with rival HC.

10 — St. Augustine (4-0, 3-0 Southern Red)

         This Week: 12/19 vs. SB

         The Hermits live up to their name by playing almost exclusively southern opposition, but started strong.

11 — Brick Memorial (2-1, 2-1 Southern Red)

         This Week: 12/15 vs. RBC, 12/16 @ TRE, 12/19 @ BE, 12/21 vs. SB

         That’s right, Brick Memorial is ranked 11th. The Mustangs face a huge four-game Southern Red week.

12 — St. Joseph’s Metuchen (1-2, 1-2 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/17 vs. DBP

         The Falcons beat Brick Township to stay out of the cellar, but can they win another Gordon game?

13 — Morris Knolls (1-1, 0-1 MCSSIHL Mennen Division)

         This Week: 12/15 @ Cra, 12/17 @ Cron Tourney, 12/20 vs. Pri

         As always, I’m wary of ranking Knolls so high, but they felt like the best of remaining publics.

14 — West Essex (4-0, 2-0 Central Red)

         This Week: 12/15 OB, 12/17 @ Cron Tourney, 12/19 @ BR, 12/20 @ Rid

         Why do I even try to distinguish between Knolls and Wessex? They’ll figure it out on the ice this week.

15 — Middletown South (1-2, 1-2 Southern Red)

         This Week: 12/19 @ Wall, 12/21 vs. RBC

         They’re only here based on beating Bishop Eustace, which is unreliable, but the Southern Red is strong.

16 — Brick Township (0-5, 0-3 Gordon Conference)

         This Week: 12/17 @ CBA, 12/20 @ SHP

         Obviously a down year, but they’ve got a tough schedule and should always be a strong public.

17 — Notre Dame (2-2, 2-0 CVC Colonial Division)

         This Week: 12/15 vs. WWPN, 12/19 vs. HV

         The Irish will be tested on the CVC level this week, but schedule a northern team – Montclair has open ice!

18 — Ridge (1-1, 1-1 Central Red)

         This Week: 12/16 @ Mclr, 12/18 @ Bay, 12/20 vs. WE

         Huge week coming up for the deep Red Devils, highlighted by Saturday’s rematch with West Essex.

19 — Chatham (2-0, 2-0 MCSSIHL Mennen Division)

         This Week: 12/16 vs. Ran, 12/18 vs. Rox

         Important week for MCSSIHL games before the Cougars travel to South Brunswick next week.

20 — Morristown-Beard (2-1, 2-1 MCSSIHL Mennen Division)

         This Week: 12/19 @ Ran

         The Crimson face another league foe before their annual holiday break. Disappointing 3-2 loss to Chatham.

 

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

Bishop Eustace

Hopewell Valley

Middletown North

Montclair

Paramus

Paramus Catholic

Randolph

Red Bank Catholic

Rumson/Fair Haven

South Brunswick

Steinert

WWPN