Six boys' soccer teams from the Jersey Sports Now region will participate in the New Jersey state playoffs.  Three of the teams will be competing in the opening round of action, while three others will wait until later next week to get started.

Here is the outlook for the various teams:

North Jersey Section 1, Group 1:

Kinnelon is the only local soccer team in this bracket, and has to be considered a serious contender for the sectional title.  Last year the Colts were in Group 2 and reached the sectional semifinal before losing to a much larger school.

As the #2 seed, the Colts open at home on Thursday, November 6th against Palisades Park.  The only way Kinnelon would have to play a road game would be if they face off against top seed Leonia in the sectional final.

North Jersey Section 1, Group 2:

Two local squads qualified and could conceivably meet in the sectional semifinal.  But a lot would have to happen for that to take place.

Mountain Lakes is the #6 seed and plays on Monday, November 3rd against #11 Wallkill Valley.  This promises to be a tough soccer game for the Lakers, and if they survive it only gets harder:  their next opponent would be perennial contender Ramsey.

Pompton Lakes drew the #2 seed in the bracket and will get a first-round bye.  The Cardinals will meet the winner of Glen Rock and Indian Hills on Thursday.  (Pompton Lakes has already beaten Glen Rock this season.)  The Cards would also host the sectional semifinal game if they win their first match.

North Jersey Section 1, Group 3:

Two local teams are in this section, which is one of the toughest in the entire state.  Both have winnable first games before facing one of the state's top teams.

Passaic Valley is the #8 seed and gets a first-round home game against Paramus.  If the Hornets can beat the Spartans, their next opponent will be Ramapo, many times the winner of this section and considered a serious threat for another New Jersey state title.

Montville is the #4 seed and drew a first-round bye.  They will play Thursday against the winner of Northern Highlands and High Point.  The Mustangs have been struggling a bit of late, and they'll need to be at their best, especially because a win in the first game would likely send them up against Ramapo in the sectional semis.

Non-Public North A:

Want a section even tougher than North 1, Group 3?  How about this one, featuring three of the state's elite teams.  Local squad DePaul hopes to get a chance to play upset-maker, but they've got a challenging first game.

The #8 seed Spartans open at home on Monday against #9 Pope John.  The Lions can't be overlooked; they stunned Pingry in last year's state playoffs.  And the prize for this first-round matchup is a trip to Martinsville to play the very same top-seeded Big Blue.  DePaul hopes it will be the soccer team to give it a shot this season. -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now