It’s always a big deal when Mainland Regional meets Ocean City in any sport.
It’s an even bigger deal when the schools meet in football.
This year’s matchup means even more because both teams need a win to boost their seasons and give them momentum as the regular season winds down and the South Jersey Group III playoffs begin.
Mainland (2-3) and Ocean City (3-2) will kick off at 3 p.m. Friday in Ocean City.
“It’s a great week to get us in a playoff atmosphere,” Ocean City coach Sean Matthews said. “It’s going to give us a great test and an answer to what kind of football program we are at this time. You want to start playing your best football in the month of October.”
High school football is at the halfway point of its regular season.
The early start time is because of an officials shortage. The teams could not play Thursday night because of Yom Kippur. They could also not play Saturday.
So the 3 p.m. start will allow officials to officiate two games Friday.
Mainland leads the rivalry 30-23. The game is referred to as the “Battle for the Bridge” after the Route 52 causeway, which connects Ocean City with the Mainland sending district of Somers Point.
“We need to get things rolling if we want to make a serious dent in the playoffs,” Mainland coach Chuck Smith said. “It starts right now with this game.”
Ocean City has allowed a total of seven points in its three wins. Junior linebacker Jake Chapman sparks the Red Raiders with 46 tackles, including nine for a loss.
“We’re finding ways to win,” Matthews said. “We haven’t played flawless football. But our kids play together for the full 48 minutes.”
Sophomore quarterback Jackson Becker has rushed for 300 yards and four TDs and thrown for 449 yards and two scores.
“They don’t put up a lot of big numbers, but they do chew a lot of time off the clock,” Smith said of the Ocean City offense. “That can be scary. When we get a chance in the red zone, we have to score.”
Mainland comes off a frustrating 17-7 loss to St. Augustine Prep last Friday. The Mustangs were driving late in the fourth quarter for the winning TD when St. Augustine recovered a Mainland fumble and returned it for the clinching score.
“We’ve been inconsistent and haven’t taken advantage of our opportunities,” Smith said. “But the kids have kept their chin up. Those five games are behind us. Hopefully, we learned from them.”
Talented senior wide receiver/running back/defensive back Jake Blum missed the St. Augustine game with a concussion but is expected to play Friday, according to Smith.
“They’re really good at executing their schemes on offense,” Matthews said. “They’re tough to run the ball against.
“The biggest thing we need to do is play fundamentally dominant football. We have to block and tackle extremely well, and we obviously can’t hurt ourselves and turn the football over.”
Contact: 609-272-7209
MMcGarry@PressofAC.com
X @ACPressMcGarry
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Mike McGarry
Staff Writer
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