SPORTS

GMC FOOTBALL: 14 teams to partake in NJSIAA playoffs

Greg Tufaro

@GregTufaro

A total of 14 Greater Middlesex Conference high school football teams are expected to participate in the NJSIAA playoffs.

South Brunswick (Central Group V), Colonia (North 2 Group IV) and Dunellen (North 2 Group I) appear to have secured the top seeds in their respective sections.

The eight teams with the most power points in each section, regardless of record, qualify, but schools reserve the right to opt out of the postseason and instead play a consolation game.

The NJSIAA will announce official pairings Sunday.

The opening round of the playoffs will be contested on the weekend of Nov. 14-15, followed by the sectional semifinals on the weekend of Nov. 21-22 and the sectional championships on the weekend of Dec. 5-6.

The first two rounds will be contested at the site of the highest seed, while the finals will be played at neutral venues to be determined.

Following are unofficial pairings for the top eight teams in each section involving GMC schools:

Central Group V: No. 8 East Brunswick at No. 1 South Brunswick; No. 7 Monroe at No. 2 Hillsborough; No. 6 Old Bridge at No. 3 Manalapan; No. 5 Trenton at No. 4 Montgomery.

Central Group III: No. 8 Ocean at No. 1 Hopewell Valley; No. 7 Hamilton at No. 2 Long Branch; No. 6 Nottingham at No. 3 Carteret; No. 5 Matawan at No. 4 Raritan.

Central Group II: No. 8 Lakewood at No. 1 Roselle; No. 7 A.L. Johnson at No. 2 Rumson-Fair Haven; No. 6 Bordentown at No. 3 Cinnaminson; No. 5 Delaware Valley at No. 4 Spotswood.

Central Group I: No. 8 Point Pleasant Beach at No. 1 Shore; No. 7 Florence at No. 2. Palmyra; No. 6 Metuchen at No. 3 South Hunterdon; No. 5 New Egypt at No. 4 Middlesex.

North 2 Group V: No. 8 North Hunterdon at No. 1 Linden; No. 7 Bayonne at No. 2 Piscataway; No. 6 Barringer at No. 3 Elizabeth; No. 5 Bridgewater-Raritan at No. 4 Westfield.

North 2 Group IV: No. 8 Scotch Plains-Fanwood at No. 1 Colonia; No. 7 Mendham at No. 2 Phillipsburg; No. 6 Woodbridge at No. 3 Irvington; No. 5 West Morris at No. 4 J.F. Kennedy.

North 2 Group I: No. 8 Bound Brook at No. 1 Dunellen; No. 7 Brearley at No. 2 Belvidere; No. 6 Shabazz at No. 3 New Providence; No. 5 Glen Ridge at No. 4 Hoboken.

Non-Public Group III: No. 8 Bishop Eustace at No. 1 Delbarton; No. 7 Bishop Ahr at No. 2 Red Bank Catholic; No. 6 Camden Catholic at No. 3 St. Joseph Montvale; No. 5 Pope John at No. 4 St. John Vianney.