Rowan Football Hits the Shore [PODCAST]

The 2011 season didn't end the way it was supposed to for Rowan University's football team.

The Profs lost their final three games by a touchdown or less, ending the year at .500 after jumping out to a 5-2 record. The disappointing finish comes after the squad lost just six games over the previous three seasons.

There's a lot to prove for Rowan football in 2012. The journey to another conference title, however, begins at the shore. The Profs are hitting the beach and boardwalk for their annual Brown & Gold Scrimmage game in Ocean City.

The South Jersey Sports Report was in the press box at Ocean City High School's Carey Stadium, and talked with some of the leaders of this year's Rowan football team before they hit the field. Listen in to find out why several Cape-Atlantic League schools, including Atlantic City, Holy Spirit and more, are well-represented in Glassboro.

We check in with South Jersey Hall of Fame sports reporter Tom Williams for more on the N.J.S.I.A.A. realignment, what its affect will be on the upcoming high school football season, and why it extends beyond just football.

Hurricane Irene may have postponed a local charity event last summer, but football organizers in one town have big plans for 2012. The South Jersey Sports Report spoke with Ventnor Pirates head football coach AJ Russo, who explained how his team, and many more, are using a "football jamboree" to give back to the community.

A familiar team is back on top of the A.C.B.L. once again. The Margate Hurricanes (28-4) are 2012's best, after completing a three-game sweep in the championship series. The title is their 19th overall since 1978, and their sixth crown in the past seven years. Charlie Law is a Mainland graduate, pitcher at Rutgers University and stand-out for Yogi Hiltner's latest championship team. He recalled what it was like chasing a high school record held by his dad, and explained us why the latest group of 'Canes wanted to win at all costs.

And another local baseball team has been just as good this summer, and now they're heading to the Baseball Hall of Fame. No, they won't be enshrined in Cooperstown (at least not any time soon), but they are in the iconic baseball village for World Series Week. We spoke with the coach of the Egg Harbor Township Barracudas to find out how they made it to the 104-team tournament, and why Cooperstown could be last chance for teammates that have played together for four years.

Soccer is just one of the sports at Mainland Regional High School that's spanned generations; now a reunion event is bringing them all back together on one field. Mainland Regional assistant soccer coach Robert Romeo talked about the planning and anticipation for the program's premier summer event.

Listen to this week's show:

Charlie Law, Rutgers baseball & member of the 2012 A.C.B.L. Champion Margate Hurricanes