Neutral Zone Boys' Prep
NE Prep League News, Schedules, Results, & Standings

NZ Prep Poll #4

The top four teams seem to be moving closer to being a lock come playoff time. Some teams are surging, and the bottom six teams are very tight. This week, starting with Wednesday, will tell us a lot. Salisbury makes its first appearance and is a team few want to see in the playoffs. We had down the stretch with these NE Prep teams leading the way.

  1. Avon Old Farms (9-2) -The Winged Beavers have won six in a row and have not lost a game since December 15th, outscoring opponents 30-14 through those six games. Avon has gotten excellent goaltending and special teams play, which is always a recipe for success.
  2. Kimball Union (15-3-2) -KUA has been getting balanced scoring and, as expected, is playing better each week. They hid a skid in early January with two losses to Stanstead and Northwood by a goal, followed by solid wins over previously ranked Tilton and St. Paul’s School. They still have Holderness and Cushing twice but a colossal game looms Wednesday at Deerfield.
  3. Berkshire School (11-3) – Berkshire’s loss to Avon in the Christmas Classic Final and again to Nobles on the road on January 4th. They have won their last three games, outscoring opponents 23-5. They can play any way and have depth and experience. We do not expect a slide for them as of all these teams; they may be the tightest lock to have a top-four seed in the Tourney.
  4. Dexter School (12-2) – Dexter lost to Cushing on January 5th. Since then, they beat Brunswick twice on the road, Winchendon and New Hampton. They have eight players with over 10 points and two goalies with over a .900 save percentage. After Austin Prep on Wednesday, they travel to Brooks, St. George’s, and Pomfret before coming home to play Andover on February 8. It’s a significant stretch for Dexter.
  5. St. Mark’s (9-1-2) – The Lions beat Dexter in December and a talented Rivers team on Saturday. Tomorrow at Belmont Hill is a massive tilt for both teams and would be a signature win the St. Mark’s. They head to St. George’s on Saturday in another top-10 matchup. We cannot wait.
  6. Belmont Hill (11-2-3) – December 11th was the last loss for the Hillies. They are dangerous up front with David Bosco and Jake Tavares, but also off the blue line with Evan Jones and Grayson Cohen. Belmont Hill has scored three or more goals in nine straight games. See above for a huge matchup Wednesday.
  7. Brunswick (13-3-2) – Brunswick’s two losses at home last weekend to Dexter bumped them down from #1 to #7. A stiff drop, perhaps, but it is their third straight loss.
  8. St. George’s (10-4-1) – St. George’s lost to Rivers at home in a high-scoring affair last week. They recovered with two solid road wins. They will need a signature to win in 2025 to move up our rankings. If they handle BB&N Wednesday, they have St. Mar’s and Dexter next week. Opportunity awaits.
  9. Holderness (10-2-1) -Holderness went unbeaten in eight games before a home loss to New Hampton on Monday. You are only as good as your last game, as the Bulls host NYA on Wednesday.
  10. Salisbury (9-4-2) – Before the Holidays, Salisbury struggled. The perennial contender has started to figure things out with six straight wins. On Wednesday, they face a talented Trinity-Pawling team, with Fred Gunn, Kent and Berkshire to follow. It’s time to make a run for the Knights. They have the goaltending and are trending upward. Salisbury will be a tough out down the stretch.

Last out: Thayer, Salisbury, Nobles, Andover, Tilton

Post navigation
Scroll to top