As the high school wrestling season heads into February, teams in South Jersey are making their final push for playoff spots.
With Saturday marking the cutoff for team tournament entries and official seedings scheduled for announcement on February 4, every match becomes more critical.
The state tournaments will begin on February 10, and teams are already preparing for the best possible outcomes.
Here’s a look at the latest “Mean 15” rankings, showcasing the top teams in the region and their trajectories as they head into the postseason.
At the top of the rankings is Camden Catholic, which is riding an impressive undefeated 12-0 record.
The Irish are on track to secure their first unbeaten season since the 1970s, a monumental feat for a program that dominated the Garden State back in 2005 with a 24-1 finish.
With a potential win against Seneca this week, Camden Catholic can clinch the Olympic Conference National Division title, further solidifying its strong position in the rankings.
Just behind Camden Catholic is Delsea, and they have a 15-1 record.
The Crusaders are completing a five-year run with four sectional titles and three state championships, with a remarkable 93-11 record since 2021.
Delsea recently won the Tri-County Conference Royal Division title, and its focus is now on continuing that success in state tournaments.
The third spot is held by St. Augustine, with a solid 11-6 record.
The Hermits are gearing up for a showdown against Delsea, a match that could potentially improve their standing in the Non-Public A state tournament.
Washington Township holds the fourth position with a 12-4 record. The Minutemen are in a competitive position for the South Jersey Group 5 tournament, sitting third in power points behind a banged-up Southern team.
Washington Township has been a consistent contender in the region, having won three sectional titles, the last of which came in 2010.
At number five, Lower Cape May is continuing its strong campaign with a 14-3 record. The Caper Tigers are looking to defend their South Jersey Group 2 championship.
Though they faced some tough competition recently, including losses to Ridge and Washington Township, they remain a contender for another championship.
Seneca, currently ranked sixth with a 14-2 record, will face off against Camden Catholic in a critical match that could affect their postseason position.
The Golden Eagles have been solid this season, sitting third in the South Jersey Group 3 power points, but they will need to overcome tough competition to make a deep playoff run.
Lenape follows in seventh place with a 15-2 record, though they suffered a tough 53-20 loss to Camden Catholic this week.
That said, the Indians have had a strong season overall, and they’ll be looking to bounce back with key matches against Rancocas Valley and other regional opponents.
West Deptford, ranked eighth, has been one of the more impressive teams since returning from the Virginia Duals.
With a 13-7 record and six wins in their last seven meets, the Eagles are riding high.
They will face off against Paulsboro with the conference title on the line, which could be a pivotal match in their march to the state tournament.
Ocean City, sitting in ninth place with a 13-3 record, has had a tough schedule but has managed to navigate through it with some important wins.
The Red Raiders have also had a competitive season, and their upcoming matches will be crucial as they aim to improve their standing before the tournament begins.
Rounding out the top 10 is Kingsway, with a 9-8 record.
The Dragons have had a challenging run lately, going 1-6 in their last seven meets, but they still have the talent to upset higher-ranked teams in the state tournament.
Beyond the top 10, there are several other teams making their mark, including Middle Township, Rancocas Valley, Audubon, Hammonton, and Paulsboro, all of which are fighting for their playoff positions and could surprise as the postseason unfolds.
The next couple of weeks are going to be critical for these teams, as the final matches and rankings will determine their paths to the state playoffs.
For many, it’s about staying consistent and maintaining momentum, especially as matchups with fellow playoff contenders will have direct implications on seedings.
The upcoming week will see intense action as teams solidify their playoff spots and begin strategizing for the state tournaments, which kick off on February 10.
In conclusion, as the wrestling season heads into its final stretch, the stakes are higher than ever.
Every match is crucial, and teams are preparing to leave it all on the mat.
With Camden Catholic and Delsea leading the charge, it’s shaping up to be an exciting finish to what has already been a thrilling season.
