Football rankings: Big Central Conference Top 15, through Week 7

Some more movement near the top after Saturday’s St. Joe-St. Thomas showdown, plus two new teams enter the rankings.

Final slate of the regular season on tap with the final chance to grab playoff berths coming this weekend.

Here is the Big Central Conference ranking through Week 7 (record in parenthesis):

1. Ridge (6-1) – Last week No. 1 – The Red Devils made it six straight wins, and fourth straight by at least four touchdowns with Friday night’s 42-14 trouncing of North Brunswick. Ridge get a tough warmup for the playoffs Friday night with Westfield (4-3) coming to Lee Field.

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2. Phillipsburg (6-1) – Last week No. 2 – The Stateliners had no trouble with visiting Union on Friday night, scoring a 44-0 victory to solidify its hold on a top seed in North Group 4. Phillipsburg heads to Bridgewater-Raritan (3-5) this weekend to close conference play.

3. St. Thomas Aquinas (6-2) – Last week No. 3 – The Trojans passed a key test with a 34-20 comeback win over St. Joseph on Saturday. St. Thomas Aquinas rallied with four rushing touchdowns in the second half – two from Chukwuma Odoh, and one apiece from Roman Blanks and Ca’si Thomas. Additionally, Josiah Zayas caught his 13th touchdown pass and snagged his sixth interception. STA hosts Sayreville (3-5) on Friday.

4. Somerville (8-0) – Last week No. 5 – The undefeated Pioneers can add Plainfield to its list of conquests after Friday’s decisive 30-7 triumph. Somerville can claim the Liberty Silver Division title with a win over Watchung Hills (5-3) this weekend.

5. Woodbridge (8-0) -- Last week No. 6 -- The Barrons move into the Top 5 after an impressive 28-17 win over Summit on Satyrday. Four different players scored in Josh Allen, Jahmir Beal, Bryan Anderson and Daunte Difonzo, while Derek Anderson tossed two touchdowns. Woodbridge welcomes No. 6 St. Joseph (5-2) on Friday.

6. St. Joseph-Metuchen (5-2) – Last week No. 4 – The Falcons led St. Thomas Aquinas at halftime before falling in Saturday’s showdown among state-ranked teams. Javon Hudson rushed for a pair of touchdowns and Justin Scaramuzzo threw an 18-yard score to Jacob Pappas. The Falcons have another huge game Friday at No. 5 Woodbridge (8-0).

7. Hillsborough (5-3) – Last week No. 8 --The Raiders trekked to Piscataway on Friday night for an interdivision contest and left with a 27-15 win, its third straight. Hunterdon Central (4-4) heads to Noonan Field on Friday night in the regular-season finale.

8. Piscataway (5-3) -- Last week No. 7 – The Chiefs had a three-game win streak snapped with the 27-14 loss to Hillsborough. Piscataway cut the deficit to 20-14 on James Bodley’s one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get closer. Next up, the Chiefs host Monroe (4-4) on Friday.

9. Old Bridge (5-3) – Last week No. 11 – Some observers were expecting a close game, but the Knights scored an impressive 35-8 win over Hunterdon Central with five unanswered touchdowns following the first quarter Friday night. Quarterback Brody Nugent rushed for a team-high 162 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns, adding a passing score. Old Bridge travels to Colonia (4-4) on Friday.

10. Plainfield (4-3) – Last week No. 9 – The Cardinals saw their three-game losing streak snapped at Hub Stine Field on Friday night, 30-7 to undefeated Somerville. Plainfield needs a win Friday night against Linden (4-4) to ensure a playoff spot.

11. Bernards (8-0) –– Last week No. 12 – The Mountaineers continued its tear through the regular season with a 34-7 trouncing of Governor Livingston. Bernards will look to wrap up its second straight undefeated regular season when it faces Carteret (3-5) on Friday night.

12. Westfield (4-3) – Last week No. 14 – The Blue Devils scored, arguably, the weekend’s most impressive win, 35-10 over Bridgewater-Raritan at home. Westfield’s once iffy playoff position is now in far better shape after two straight wins, which is good because top-ranked Ridge (6-1) is on the schedule for Week 8.

13. Bridgewater-Raritan (3-5) –– Last week No. 10 – The Panthers knew they had a tough task on the slate with Saturday’s trip to Westfield, but couldn’t have expected things to be so one sided in a 35-10 loss. Huge challenge ahead to finish the regular season with Friday night’s meeting with Phillipsburg (6-1).

14. Elizabeth (4-4) – Last week not ranked – The Minutemen have had quite the tumultuous season with three different head coaches leading the way, but have certainly settled into a groove under Eugene Klein, winning two straight, including Friday night’s 43-29 toppling of Watchung Hills. Elizabeth, which has seen each of its two losses come by just a point, will head to Union on Friday night (1-7).

15. Rahway (6-2) – Last week not ranked – The Indians have impressed all season, finally cracking the Top 15 after a hugely impressive victory over Watchung Hills two weeks ago, before blanking New Brunswick 42-0 last week. Rahway’s losses have been to Somerville and Cranford, the latter by just a point. A trip to Montgomery (0-8) will close out the regular season.

DROPPED OUT: Summit (4-3), Watchung Hills (5-3).

ALSO RECEIVING CONSIDERATION: Cranford (5-2), Delaware Valley (6-1).

Simeon Pincus has been covering New Jersey sports since 1997. He can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com . Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus

Andy Mendlowitz can be reached at AMendlowitz@GannettNJ.com . Follow him on Twitter @Andy_Mendlowitz

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Football rankings: Big Central Conference Top 15, through Week 7