By TOM WILLIAMS

The regular season of New Jersey high school football will end on Saturday – that’s October 26.

A lot of us find that to be somewhat ridiculous. But, since the emphasis in the sport has changed from Thanksgiving and other rivalries to super conferences and state championships, that is what we are left with.

As we enter the final weekend there are 10 Cape-Atlantic League schools who are either assured of a spot in the NJSIAA Tournaments or who could clinch a spot this weekend.

Lets take a look at where they stand.

Group 5 – Atlantic City (6-2), which does not play this weekend, is currently the #3 seed and is assured of a home game in the first round. Bridgeton (6-2) is not among the 10 teams referred to above but the Bulldogs could qualify with a win over undefeated Cherry Hill East. But it looks like Eastern (4-4) would also have to lose to Highland (1-7) to open the door for Bridgeton. The prize for either Eastern, Bridgeton or any other team that wins the #16 seed is a chance to travel to Toms River to play undefeated Toms River North, currently the #1 seed and defending state champion.,

Group 4 – Somehow, Millville (6-1) is currently seeded #1, ahead of #2 Winslow Township (8-0) despite the fact that Winslow defeated the Thunderbolts, 35-7. Fortunately, the NJSIAA has a rule that covers that – the Head-to-Head Rule. If your team defeated the team right ahead of it, they exchange places. The only reason it matters is because the two teams will be in different eight-team brackets and would only play in the state semi-final if they each win their bracket. And the state semi-final will be played on the home field of the highest seed.

Group 3 – This group is loaded with CAL teams. Somerville and Hopewell Valley enter the final weekend as the top two teams. Both are 8-0. Defending Group 4 state champion Mainland (5-3) is the third seed and would get a home game in the first two rounds. Cedar Creek (6-2) is #5 and Ocean City (5-3) is #7. They play each other on Friday in Egg Harbor City. Cedar Creek should get a first round home game no matter what happens Friday but the Raiders might need a win to earn a tournament home game. Oakcrest (5-3) is #11 and has clinched a spot in the tournament but almost assuredly on the road. Absegami (4-4) is #16 (the top 16 teams in each group qualify) and plays at Cumberland (2-5) Friday. The Braves will probably clinch a tournament spot with a win and could still qualify with a loss. Pleasantville (1-7), currently #18, has to win Friday against Gloucester City (2-5) to have any chance. But the Greyhounds are a long shot.

Group 2 – Middle Township (4-3) is currently #13 and probably has a spot in the tournament wrapped up. We say “probably” because strange things have happened on the final weekend before. But the Panthers are at St. Joseph-Hammonton (2-6) on Friday and a win there would wrap up a spot for Middle. But a tournament home game for Middle Township is unlikely.

Non-Public A – There are only eight teams in this tournament. St. Augustine (5-3) is #4 in the Power Ratings. But, unlike the public schools, the final seedings will not be determined by those ratings. The eight teams will be seeded by a committee.

Non-Public B – Holy Spirit (7-1) is currently #2 behind DePaul Catholic (7-0), which is ranked second overall in the state behind Bergen Catholic. Those two teams – Spirit and DePaul – will almost definitely be seeded one-two by any committee that is paying attention.

The public school tournaments begin on November 1-2, the Non-Publics on November 8-9. State championship games will be played either in SHI Stadium at Rutgers or Met-Life Stadium between November 29 and December 4. Teams that do not qualify for the NJSIAA Tournament, or that are eliminated in an early round, are permitted to schedule consolation games in November.

Enjoy your favorite game this weekend.