Playoff picture
This week's clinch watch 0 This week's clinch watchTeams that clinch a playoff spot with a win this week, or with a win plus one other result. Found by fixing the win and searching this week's other games for the smallest set that proves the spot.Show the work →
Nobody clinches with a win alone, or a win plus one other result, this week.
Clinched 5 Clinched a playoff spotNo combination of the remaining results can leave the team outside the top 16. "Clinched" is printed only when that is proved; "virtually clinched" means every simulated season and a search for a counterexample agree, but it is not yet proved.Show the work →
- 1Bridgewater-Raritan since Wk 5Bridgewater-Raritan has virtually clinched a playoff spot (>99.9%). 20,000 of 20,000 simulated seasons keep them there and a 500-try search found no scenario that does not; not yet proved.
- 2West OrangeWest Orange has virtually clinched a playoff spot (>99.9%). 20,000 of 20,000 simulated seasons keep them there and a 500-try search found no scenario that does not; not yet proved.
- 3PiscatawayPiscataway has virtually clinched a playoff spot (>99.9%). 20,000 of 20,000 simulated seasons keep them there and a 500-try search found no scenario that does not; not yet proved.
- 4East Orange CampusEast Orange Campus has virtually clinched a playoff spot (>99.9%). 20,000 of 20,000 simulated seasons keep them there and a 500-try search found no scenario that does not; not yet proved.
- 6ElizabethElizabeth has virtually clinched a playoff spot (>99.9%). 20,000 of 20,000 simulated seasons keep them there and a 500-try search found no scenario that does not; not yet proved.
On the bubble 9 Chance of a playoff spotShare of 20,000 simulated finishes to the season in which the team lands in the top 16. Each remaining game is drawn from the Strength Index line, so this is an estimate, never a proof.Show the work →
- 12BloomfieldBloomfield is in the hunt for a playoff spot (99.5%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 13PassaicPassaic is in the hunt for a playoff spot (88%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 14MorristownMorristown is in the hunt for a playoff spot (83%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 15LindenLinden is in the hunt for a playoff spot (68%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 15UnionUnion is in the hunt for a playoff spot (34%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members.
- 17ColumbiaColumbia is in the hunt for a playoff spot (31%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 18MontclairMontclair is in the hunt for a playoff spot (2%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members.
- 19PlainfieldPlainfield is in the hunt for a playoff spot (62%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 20Paterson EastsidePaterson Eastside is in the hunt for a playoff spot (31%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members.
Eliminated 0 Eliminated from the playoffsNo combination of the remaining results can put the team in the top 16, or it cannot reach two wins against NJSIAA members. "Virtually eliminated" means no simulated season and no search found a way in, but it is not yet proved.Show the work →
Nobody is out yet.
Still in the hunt 10 Chance of a playoff spotShare of 20,000 simulated finishes to the season in which the team lands in the top 16. Each remaining game is drawn from the Strength Index line, so this is an estimate, never a proof.Show the work →
- 4Passaic County TechPassaic County Tech is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 7LivingstonLivingston is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 8Union CityUnion City is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 9BayonneBayonne is in the hunt for a playoff spot (99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 10RidgewoodRidgewood is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 11IrvingtonIrvington is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 21BarringerBarringer is in the hunt for a playoff spot (2%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th.
- 22J.P. StevensJ.P. Stevens is in the hunt for a playoff spot (0.1%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members.
- 23CliftonClifton is in the hunt for a playoff spot (0.1%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members.
- 24Paterson KennedyPaterson Kennedy is in the hunt for a playoff spot (<0.1%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members.
Seeding 20 Seeding locksUnder the 2026 snake, overall 1–8 are the section seeds 1–4 (a first-round home game) and overall 1–2 are the two #1 seeds. A lock is printed only when every combination of the remaining results keeps the team above that line; "virtually" means simulation or the SI margin cap, not a proof.Show the work →
2025 geographic split: the top 16 split into North 1 and North 2 by Northing, so seeds are ranges and no section is locked from rank. View under 2026 snake seeding.
Locked overall #1 0 Section lockOverall #1's traditional section takes overall 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 16; the other section takes the rest. A team's section is locked only when every rank it can still finish at is on one side of the snake and the eventual #1's section is settled. Fans expect geography; the snake does not use it.Show the work →
Nobody has locked overall #1.
Locked #1 seed 0 Section lockOverall #1's traditional section takes overall 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 16; the other section takes the rest. A team's section is locked only when every rank it can still finish at is on one side of the snake and the eventual #1's section is settled. Fans expect geography; the snake does not use it.Show the work →
Nobody has locked a #1 seed.
Locked home game 0 Section lockOverall #1's traditional section takes overall 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 16; the other section takes the rest. A team's section is locked only when every rank it can still finish at is on one side of the snake and the eventual #1's section is settled. Fans expect geography; the snake does not use it.Show the work →
Nobody has locked a first-round home game yet.
Locked in, seed open 5 Section-seed rangeThe best and worst section seeds the team can still land on, from its best- and worst-case overall rank through the snake table (1–2 → 1 seed, 3–4 → 2, 5–6 → 3, 7–8 → 4, and so on).Show the work →
- 1Bridgewater-RaritanBridgewater-Raritan has virtually locked a playoff spot (>99.9%); not yet proved to finish at or above overall #16 (the cut). Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 2West OrangeWest Orange has virtually locked a playoff spot (>99.9%); not yet proved to finish at or above overall #16 (the cut). Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 3PiscatawayPiscataway has virtually locked a playoff spot (>99.9%); not yet proved to finish at or above overall #16 (the cut). Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 4East Orange CampusEast Orange Campus has virtually locked a playoff spot (>99.9%); not yet proved to finish at or above overall #16 (the cut). Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 6ElizabethElizabeth has virtually locked a playoff spot (>99.9%); not yet proved to finish at or above overall #16 (the cut). Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
Bubble 15
- 4Passaic County TechPassaic County Tech is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 7LivingstonLivingston is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 8Union CityUnion City is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 9BayonneBayonne is in the hunt for a playoff spot (99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 10RidgewoodRidgewood is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 11IrvingtonIrvington is in the hunt for a playoff spot (>99.9%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 12BloomfieldBloomfield is in the hunt for a playoff spot (99.5%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 13PassaicPassaic is in the hunt for a playoff spot (88%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 14MorristownMorristown is in the hunt for a playoff spot (83%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 15LindenLinden is in the hunt for a playoff spot (68%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 15UnionUnion is in the hunt for a playoff spot (34%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 17ColumbiaColumbia is in the hunt for a playoff spot (31%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 18MontclairMontclair is in the hunt for a playoff spot (2%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 19PlainfieldPlainfield is in the hunt for a playoff spot (62%). Can finish anywhere from 1st to 24th. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
- 20Paterson EastsidePaterson Eastside is in the hunt for a playoff spot (31%). Could still finish as high as 1st, or ineligible with fewer than two wins vs NJSIAA members. Can finish as high as the 1 seed, or miss the field (assuming no 42-point-plus margins move Strength Index). Section: North 1 or North 2 (2025 geographic split: set by Northing once the field is known).
Rooting guides 4 This week's rooting guideThe fewest results this week that, with the team's own result, prove the target. Found by fixing the team's win (or any result), adding this week's other games one at a time by how much each lifts the team's worst-case rank until the target is proved, then dropping any game the proof no longer needs. Every listed result must happen; other routes may exist.Show the work →
- 18MontclairElimination watchMontclair beat Barringer 20–12did not play out
The loss this needed did not happen.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →No route to a playoff spot is left this week.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 18MontclairElimination watchMontclair beat Barringer 20–12did not play out
The loss this needed did not happen.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →No route to a first-round home game is left this week.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 18MontclairElimination watchMontclair beat Barringer 20–12did not play out
The loss this needed did not happen.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →Montclair is out of a #1 seed on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 22J.P. StevensElimination watchJ.P. Stevens lost to Roselle Park 6–49happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →J.P. Stevens is eliminated from the playoffs on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 22J.P. StevensElimination watchJ.P. Stevens lost to Roselle Park 6–49happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →J.P. Stevens is out of a first-round home game on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 22J.P. StevensElimination watchJ.P. Stevens lost to Roselle Park 6–49happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →J.P. Stevens is out of a #1 seed on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 23CliftonElimination watchClifton lost to Passaic County Tech 12–42happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →Clifton is eliminated from the playoffs on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 23CliftonElimination watchClifton lost to Passaic County Tech 12–42happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →Clifton is out of a first-round home game on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 23CliftonElimination watchClifton lost to Passaic County Tech 12–42happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →Clifton is out of a #1 seed on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 24Paterson KennedyElimination watchPaterson Kennedy lost to Passaic 6–37happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →Paterson Kennedy is eliminated from the playoffs on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 24Paterson KennedyElimination watchPaterson Kennedy lost to Passaic 6–37happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →Paterson Kennedy is out of a first-round home game on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).
- 24Paterson KennedyElimination watchPaterson Kennedy lost to Passaic 6–37happened
That alone put them out.
Now, with 17 of this week's results inDecided entriesA check marks a listed game that went the way the guide needed; a cross marks one that did not, which closes that path. Once any of the week's games is final the guide is searched again with those results fixed, so what remains is the fewest results still needed.Show the work →Paterson Kennedy is out of a #1 seed on these results.
Strength Index can still move this week; the proof assumes no 42-point-plus margin (virtually a lock, not proved).