By TOM WILLIAMS

Mainland and Millville, two Cape-Atlantic League (CAL) schools, will play for the South Jersey Group 4 championship tonight in John Barbose Stadium at Wheaton Field. The Mustangs are 11-0, the Thunderbolts are 9-1 with a nine-game winning streak. Both are defending champions and met last year in a state semifinal, won by Millville, 18-14.

Only one team has played both Mainland and Millville this season. Ocean City lost to the Mustangs, 35-0, on Sept. 1 and lost to the Thunderbolts, 35-0, on Oct. 13.

So, why not get OCHS coach Kevin Smith to preview the game.

“Millville has got to stop Mainland from controlling the ball on offense”, Smith said. “Mainland has the ability to play ball-control. As good as Millville has been on defense, our kids thought that Mainland was more physical. So, I expect Mainland to try to keep the ball for 10, 12, 15 play drives and Millville needs to find a way to get that Mainland offense off the field.”

This season, Mainland was the highest scoring CAL team (42.8 per game) and also gave up the fewest points (7.2). Millville was a close second on defense, allowing just 8.1 points. Mainland scored 45 rushing touchdowns and Millville has only given up three rushing TDs. Mustang senior Stephen Ordille has scored 21 touchdowns, second among CAL players. And the two teams are one-two in defensive touchdowns, Millville with eight and Mainland with six.

“Millville is a big play team but they can control the ball, too,” Smith said. “I think Mainland is pretty good defensively on the perimeter but Millville has great athletes almost everywhere. I’m sure Millville will be trying to do what they’ve done all season – get those talented athletes into space, make teams miss and go. I’m not sure Millville will be able to run the ball right at Mainland consistently. They will need to hit some home runs.”

Millville junior Lotzeir Brooks already holds most of the career receiving records for CAL players and a few South Jersey records. Brooks has played at a rare level the last four weeks. And Mainland’s Jamie Tyson (a Villanova recruit) leads CAL players with three defensive touchdowns. They are likely to match up in the game. Thunderbolt senior Ta’ron Haile, a Syracuse recruit, is also a threat as a receiver and a returner.

“There will be two different styles of play in the game,” said Smith. “Mainland will run their disciplined offense and grind it out. And Millville will be trying to set up the big splash plays. The team that most effectively does what they normally do will win the game.”

The two teams come into the game after different regular season schedules. Millville played Toms River North, St. Augustine, Cherokee, Lenape and Shawnee (twice). Mainland’s toughest opponents were Hammonton and Washington Township.

“That probably won’t affect this Mainland team,” Smith said, “because their core players have been in so many big games – whether in football, basketball or baseball. In a different situation the schedule probably would have an impact. When we went up to Millville in 2021 we hadn’t been challenged all year and we weren’t ready for them. Mainland only really had to play four quarters this year in one game, against Hammonton. But their kids are battle-tested, they have been there before.”

Millville earned the home field advantage through the NJSIAA power point system. The Bolts were seeded No. 1 in Group 4 and Mainland was No. 4. The winner of this game will play the Central Jersey Group 4 champion (either Winslow Township or Long Branch) in a state semifinal. If Millville wins, they will host that game, as well. The only way Mainland could get a home game if they win would be if Long Branch upsets Winslow.

“I think Millville is a tough place to play as a visiting team,” Smith said. “I haven’t been there since they redid the field but they have a strong following and will turn out a big crowd. It will be a lively environment that could create a small home field advantage but I don’t expect it will affect these Mainland kids very much.”

The game kicks off at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold online at njsiaa.org/tickets until 6:58 p.m., almost an hour after the game starts.

The live video stream is available HERE.

Up to date stats, standings and rankings of the CAL’s best players and teams are all available HERE.

Enjoy the game!