Cape-Atlantic League Previews and Picks – Week 9

It’s the final week of the regular season in the Cape-Atlantic League season, and playoff positioning and conference titles are still on the line.

Many teams are battling for playoff spots and positioning this week with St. Augustine, the American Conference champion, the National Conference is still up-for-grabs with Cedar Creek and Buena in-the-mix.

Friday night it’s Countdown to Kickoff starting at 6pm with Cole Raring and Pete G, then Mike Gill and Jim Schefer call all the action from Holy Spirit at Oakcrest at 7pm. Cole and Pete have scores and highlights at halftime and the post-game show til 10pm.

Here are the week 8 games and picks for this week: (Last week’s record 8-0, 15-1)

Absegami (2-5) @ Atlantic City (1-6), 7pm

Two disappointing teams looking to pick up a win, the Braves have lost four straight since their win in Egg Harbor Twp., while the Vikings have dropped three straight.  Ishmail Shakur has taken over at quarterback for Atlantic City, Dapree Wright has 17 catches and four touchdowns. Absegami wideout Austin Shiner has 26 catches for 344 yards this season.  He'll try to help the Braves beat the Vikings for the first time since 2009.

Pick: Atlantic City 27, Absegami 19

Egg Harbor Township (3-4) @ Millville (4-3), 7pm

Millville is currently the eighth seed in the Group V playoff field, and will be in with a win, and could make the field even with a loss. Egg Harbor Twp. has dropped four straight since starting the season 3-0, and has slim playoffs hopes, even with a win, they are going to need help.  Millville boats one of the best defenses in the CAL, giving up just 14.6 point per game.  They will try to slow down EHT running back Dante Moore who has 619 yards and nine touchdowns.

Pick: Millville 28, EHT 13

St. Joseph (6-2) @ Ocean City (2-5), 7pm {Listen-1450 AM}

St. Joe is on a three game win streak since their loss in Maryland, while Ocean City defeated Atlantic City before their bye week.  The Wildcats feature the Horne brothers who have combined for 23 rushing touchdowns, Salaam has added five passing scores. Red Raiders running back Dan Henderson has five rushing scores.  Ocean City could sneak into the Group III playoff field if they could pull off the upset tonight at Carey Stadium.

Pick: St. Joe's 48, Ocean City 7

Vineland (3-4) @ Mainland (3-4), 7pm

The Mustangs could qualify for the Group IV field with a win over Vineland, a team they haven't lost to since 1988, including a 52-20 win last year.  Beating the Fighting Clam won't be easy, Davion Seymore is the league's fourth leading rusher with 763 yards and nine touchdowns. For Mainland, quarterback Sam Jackson has 10 passing scores and wideout Justin Bishop has seven touchdown catches.

Pick: Mainland 22, Vineland 12

Bridgeton (5-3) @ Middle Township (2-5), 7pm

Bridgeton looks like it will get a home playoff game in the Group IV field and is looking for its sixth straight win.  Middle is having another tough season, they have dropped two in a row. Points could be hard to come by for the Panthers, the Bulldogs defense gives up just 12.4 points per game, third best in the CAL. Markquese Bell has 560 yards receiving, second best in the CAL, Dave Mosley has 10 touchdown passes for Bridgeton. Middle running back Shawn Scott has five rushing scores.

Pick: Bridgeton 38, Middle 12

Cedar Creek (6-1) @ Pleasantville (0-7), 7pm

Cedar Creek is looking to enter the playoffs on a four game win streak, meanwhile the Greyhounds are hoping to snap a 17-game skid. It won't be easy to stop on of the top offenses in the CAL, the Pirates average 33 points per game, third best in the league. With a Pirates win they will win the National Conference and earn a home playoff game next week in the Group II playoff field.

Pick: Cedar Creek 49, Pleasantivlle 6

Holy Spirit (4-3) @ Oakcrest (4-3), 7pm {Listen-97.3 FM}

Holy Spirit has clinched a playoff berth for the 13th straight season.  Oakcrest needs to win, but can also make the Group III field with a loss.  With his next field goal, Holy Spirit junior kicker Cade Antonnucci will tie the CAL season field goal record - he currently has eight. The Falcons are lead by running back Terrance Smith, the fifth leading rusher in the CAL with 726 yards and 12 touchdowns, they are looking to knock the Spartans off for the second straight season.

No Pick: 97.3 ESPN game of the week

Lower Cape May (1-6) @ Buena (7-1), 7pm

Buena looks to close out the season on a eight-game win streak and could be the top seed in the Group II playoff field.  Lower has lost four in a row and will have its hands full with the potent Buena offense that averages 28.5 points per game, fifth best in the CAL.

Pick: Buena 38, Lower 6