Cape-Atlantic League Football Conferences Realign

The 2013 high school football season kicks off next month, but a few big changes are on the horizon for teams in the Cape-Atlantic League.

The C.A.L. has announced that it will realign its conferences for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, and will group schools with similar enrollments together. A hand-full of teams will be making moves amongst the National and American conferences, including St. Augustine Prep, Ocean City, Vineland, Holy Spirit and Oakcrest.

Here's a look at what the conferences will look like in 2014 and 2015:

American Conference: Absegami, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Mainland Regional, Millville, Ocean City, St. Augustine Prep, St. Joseph and Vineland.

National Conference: Bridgeton, Buena Regional, Cedar Creek, Holy Spirit, Lower Cape May, Middle Township, Oakcrest and Pleasantville

Cape-Atlantic League president Mike Gatley spoke with the South Jersey Sports Report about the changes, and gave us some insight on what goes on behind closed doors. We also asked him why the realignment felt right, and found out what other proposals are being discussed this offseason.

While the conference changes won't begin until next year, Phil Anastasia is already predicting some of the best local high school football teams for this season. The Philadelphia Inquirer sports writer reveals his champions in every conference, and offers thoughts on whether Joe Flacco's younger brother can smash the record books at Eastern High School.

The Rowan University football program will have their eyes on Flacco and dozens of other potential college prospects across South Jersey this season. They're even returning to the shore this weekend for their Brown & Gold Scrimmage Game; it's the second consecutive year the team has played at Carey Stadium in Ocean City. We asked head coach Jay Accorsi what makes the seaside experience so special, and how the program is increasing their involvement in South Jersey recruiting.

And the bulls-eye gets even bigger this season for Frank Vogel and his Indiana Pacers. The underdogs were just one game away from the NBA Finals, after taking eventual champion Miami Heat to a decisive seventh game. The Wildwood Crest native spoke exclusively with us about the overwhelming support from South Jersey fans during the playoffs, his relationship with Larry Bird in the front office, and how his team's youth has them poised to make another serious run at an NBA title.

Listen to this week's show:

John O'Kane, Press of Atlantic City sports writer

Trey Jones, E.H.T. graduate & Georgian Court University basketball

Mike Gatley, Cape-Atlantic League president

Jay Accorsi, Rowan University head football coach

Phil Anastasia, Philadelphia Inquirer sports reporter

Frank Vogel, Indiana Pacers head coach & Wildwood Crest native

It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com, and catch the expanded edition every Thursday night from 6-7 p.m.

Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @TDsTake