By TOM WILLIAMS

This is the final weekend for public school football teams to qualify for the NJSIAA Tournament. And, right now, seven Cape-Atlantic League teams (plus three Non-Public teams) are in the picture.

It keeps getting more difficult to predict which teams need a win this weekend and how a loss might affect their seeding. Back in the 1970s, when the NJSIAA started its football tournament and Millville’s Tony Surace set the bar with an undefeated sectional champion, it was much easier. The teams with the best won-lost records qualified. Since then there have been many changes.

This year, for example, the NJSIAA has added something called “Northing Numbers” to the procedure. It is a rating that determines a school’s location on the map so it can more accurately be placed in the right section of the state – south, central or north. And you are also now dealing with a team’s OSI, Power Points and UPR.

It all adds to the confusion.

So, what do you do to figure this out?

Call Will Morris!

Will is a mathematical whiz who has dedicated his life to high school sports, especially at St. Augustine Prep. He was, in fact, the first Hermit a few decades ago, wearing the mascot costume at games. Now he compiles stats, handles announcing duties, keeps score, operates the scoreboard and plays music during stops in the action.

Here is what we think the tournament looks like for CAL schools going into this final weekend.

In Group 5, Bridgeton is currently the #8 seed in South Jersey and would play the #1 seed, Atlantic City. Bridgeton plays undefeated Cherry Hill East Friday and might need to win to hold on to their spot in the tournament. Atlantic City has a bye this weekend and its #1 seed will be determined by other results. The #1 seed in Central Jersey right now is Washington Township.

In Group 4, Millville is the #3 seed and would host #6 Northern Burlington. And Hammonton is #7 and would play #2 Shawnee. Ironically, Hammonton and Shawnee play Thursday night and the Blue Devils must win that game to qualify for the tournament because Hammonton’s record is 1-7 and a team must have at least two wins to be eligible. Winslow Township is currently the #1 seed in South Jersey and Brick Memorial in Central Jersey.

In Group 3, Cedar Creek is #1 in South Jersey and, if the tournament started this week, the Pirates would host #8 Pinelands. Also, #3 Pleasantville would host #6 Triton and #4 Mainland would host #5 Delsea. The Mustangs and the Crusaders actually play on Friday in a regular season game. The #1 seed in Central Jersey is Burlington Township. Ocean City is on the edge of qualifying in Group 3 but would have to upset Cedar Creek on Friday. And that might not even be enough.

In Group 2, Lower Cape May is #5 in South Jersey and would play at #4 Gloucester City in the first round. But Lower could earn a home game if it beats Oakcrest in Erma on Saturday and Gloucester loses to Pleasantville on Friday. The #1 seed in Group 2 South right now is Haddonfield and #1 in Central is Camden.

There are no Group 1 qualifiers from the CAL. The #1 seed in South Jersey is Glassboro and #1 in Central Jersey is Burlington City.

The Non-Publics have another week after this weekend to determine their final seedings, which will be selected by a committee. Only eight teams from around the state are included in Non-Public A and they all play in the tournament. The Prep is currently #6 among those eight teams with games left against Millville and Holy Spirit the next two Fridays..

In Non-Public B, Holy Spirit is currently #6 and St. Joseph Academy is #7.

That’s what we (mostly Will) have figured out with just a week or two left in the regular season. The key CAL games this weekend are Cedar Creek at Ocean City, St. Joseph at Middle Township, St. Augustine at Millville, Oakcrest at Lower Cape May, Pleasantville at Gloucester City, Delsea at Mainland, Hammonton at Shawnee and Bridgeton at Cherry Hill East.

The teams that do not qualify for the NJSIAA Tournament have the option to schedule one or two consolation games.

As you can see, almost every game this weekend can have an impact on the NJSIAA Tournament.