WCSSAA Senior: Standings Shaken Up with JHSS' win

After the Waterloo-Oxford Crusaders easily handled the SJAM Highlanders (56-33) in WCSSAA Senior action last week, they stumbled at home against Jacob Hespeler (43-37), dropping their first game of the season.

The ramifications for this loss as we enter the final week of the regular season (today's games) are pretty significant.  Here's what we know:

1.  Waterloo-Oxford and Jacob Hespeler are now tied for first at 10-1, although JHSS obviously holds the head-to-head tiebreak.  Both are heavy favourites in their season finales today; JHSS takes on Glenview Park (4-7), while WODSS plays at Eastwood (2-9).

2.  WCI currently sits alone in 3rd place, with a 9-2 mark.  They do have tiebreaking wins over both 8-3 teams, SJAM and Bluevale.  As such, they will finish no worse than 3rd even with a loss.  They could move up to 2nd with a Jacob Hespeler loss coupled with a WCI win over Cameron Heights. 

3.  SJAM and Bluevale (both 8-3) will battle today.  SJAM was in solid position with only one loss entering play last week, but dropped games to WODSS and Grand River, meaning they now have to fight to avoid the qualifying round of the playoffs.  The winner will get the 4th spot, and avoid the qualifying round (teams 5-12).

4.  Preston should be able to lock-up the #6 seed today with a win over Forest Heights (0-11).  Grand River is right behind them at 6-5 (#7 seed currently) and plays at home against Huron Heights (3-8).

5.  The rest of the playoff picture is a bit muddied at this point in time, with 5 teams having records between 3-8 and 5-6.  That said, given that the top 12 teams qualify for the playoffs in the 14-team league, everyone of those teams (Elmira, Cameron Hts, Huron Heights, Glenview Park, Galt) will be safe unless Eastwood can upset WODSS.

Here's a look at the top performances from last week:
23 - Beth Fleming, GCI vs. CHCI
22 - Charlotte Clifford, JHSS vs. WODSS 
22 - MacKeely Shantz, WODSS vs. SJAM
21 - Maddy Weber, BCI vs. ECI
20 - Nancy Michael, GRCI vs. SJAM
20 - Beth Fleming, GCI vs. PHS
20 - Jenna Crawford, GRCI vs. WCI