Heading into the final week of the football regular season, the New Jersey state playoff situation remains somewhat unsettled in the Jersey Sports Now region.  Four local football teams are in, a fifth can lock up a spot on its own this week, while a sixth must simply watch the scoreboard to see if it qualifies.

Here are the scenarios:

North Jersey Section 1, Group 3:

Wayne Valley clinched the #2 spot in this section with its latest nail-biter over West Orange.  The Indians are actually currently tied for the top position, but cross-town rival Wayne Hills will add several points this week while Wayne Valley cannot.  Still, the #2 seed means the potential of two home football games before the sectional final.

Lakeland's dramatic win over DePaul put the Lancers in the #3 spot, and most likely that is where they will end up.  Only an extremely unlikely combination of results would allow Pascack Valley to tie Lakeland in power points and push the Lancers down to the fourth seed.  This sets up a potential Lakeland-Wayne Valley sectional semifinal, a football game worth savoring already.

West Milford thought its victory over Millburn last week was enough to clinch a spot.  It turns out the Highlanders still need a little help to ensure they get in.  Currently in 6th place, West Milford has three football teams behind it that have only played seven games.  Whichever of those teams wins this weekend will pass the Highlanders; if all three win, West Milford will be out.  However, two of the three (Fair Lawn and Paramus) face challenging foes.  The Highlanders need at least one to lose, but they'd prefer to see both defeated--that way they can claim the #7 seed and avoid a first-round matchup with Wayne Hills.

North Jersey Section 1, Group 1:

Mountain Lakes clinched a spot with its victory last week over Glen Ridge.  But having played just seven football games, the Herd's seeding is far from clear.  Their big showdown with undefeated Cedar Grove on Friday is crucial.  A win puts Mountain Lakes into a wild four-team scramble for the top four positions in the bracket.  By our math, the Herd will move past Westwood with a win, and should sneak past Hasbrouck Heights as well.  There's also a real possibility of taking the #1 seed away from Glen Rock.  If Mountain Lakes loses, they'll end up as the 4th seed.

Pompton Lakes has played its eight football games, so this week's contest won't add any power points.  The Cardinals are currently sporting the 5th seed and that's exactly where they will end up.  The only question is which of the top four teams they will end up playing in the first round.

Kinnelon is in the most pressure-packed scenario of any JSN-area team.  The Colts are 6-1 but face an absolute must-win football game this week at Boonton.  Even with a win, Kinnelon isn't completely assured of a spot, but in all likelihood they would qualify, although they won't be any higher than the 6th seed and very possibly will end up as #8.

Other teams:

DePaul almost snuck in the back door after its heartbreaking loss to Lakeland.  Delbarton trailed Madison in the late going before scoring a touchdown to avert the upset, 35-31.  That win moved the Green Wave ahead of the Spartans into the 8th seed in Non-Public Group III.  With eight games already played, DePaul is out.

The only other area football team to have the required four wins is Boonton, but the Bulldogs are far short of the necessary power points.  Montville and Passaic Valley were officially eliminated last week, while Pequannock and Butler are also bound for consolation games. -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now