PA VS NJ

One can not but help get the feeling that Pennsylvania is seriously behind the curve against New Jersey. Looking at the current number one in the AAA Philadelphia standings, Malvern Prep, their record against New Jersey teams is 0-1-1 this season. Current number two La Salle College High School is 1-1-2. Although these are examples of top teams playing top teams, and one would expect a circa .500 winning percentage in that case, you can not help but feel that New Jersey has an edge. The population of New Jersey is smaller than Pennsylvania and the amount of youth under 18 is very similar so it is not a matter of numbers. The median income level for New Jersey is slightly higher than Pennsylvania which could be a factor, however, according to an undocumented team count from wikipedia.com Pennsylvania has about 60 more high school teams than New Jersey. One commentator recently suggested that there is an inability to attract and keep good coaches in Pennsylvania. It was suggested that PIAA accreditation could help remedy the problem, and that it was not a difference in playing ability that was creating this gap but rather a difference in team play.