LET THE COMPARISONS BEGIN
BY JOHN LEON
ABSECON – The 2008 BCS standing will be coming out in the next week and even though the 2008 season in the Cape-Atlantic League is only at the halfway mark, the inevitable comparisons of teams start about now. The comparison is very tough though as the 2008 Mainland Mustangs are starting to be compared to the 2007 Holy Spirit Spartan juggernaut of just a year ago.
Usually a team dominates every few years or so but this is almost unprecedented having two teams that statistically are so similar, that the comparisons are being raised. Considering the numbers, the two teams are eerily similar but both just as dominant and the wins prove that. The opposition has marveled at both and position-by-position, the match up could be considered a draw at this point. Again, this only five games into the season so bear in mind that the final outcome may be different by year’s end.
Offensively, Spirit averaged 41.8 per game, Mainland averages 40.5 and Spirit ran the ball almost exclusively with William Washington and Nick Hall. They had a combined 54 rushing TD’s and 352 points scoring. Stangs QB Brent Caprio has amassed 21 TD’s thus far and Mainland has the better receivers, but the offensive philosophies are very different.
Defensively, Spirit allowed a measly 7.5 points per game, allowing just 5 rushing TD’s all season and scoring four of it’s own. Mainland has given up just 3.3 and only one rushing score, after only allowing 12.2 last season. Mainland’s defense was good last year but great this season.
Shutout wins over Holy Spirit and Hammonton (in Hammonton) have solidified their place as one of the best defenses in recent memory. Those losses were the first and maybe the last those two teams may see this year. Last year it was Spirit that gave Mainland it’s only loss until the Group 4 title game against Toms River North.
The only remaining question is “Will Mainland run the table?” A viable question and if history is any indication, they should win out, at least in the CAL. By the way they have won so far, it seems that the only team that can beat Mainland is Mainland, but there are some roadblocks yet to overcome.
Their schedule is favorable with home games against Millville and EHT (Thanksgiving) and two away games at Oakcrest and Absegami. Millville, Oakcrest and Gami are rebuilding, which would leave a rapidly improving Eagles team to spoil the party and ruin a turkey dinner.
The Group 4 playoffs featuring Washington Township, Toms River North (last year’s Champ), eastern and Southern Regional could test the Stangs, but as coach Bob Coffey will tell you, the Stangs have not and will not look ahead. That’s our job.
For now, we as fans and reporters should savor the opportunity we have to even entertain the thought of who is better from 2007-2008. The debate is fascinating and let the rest of the season play out, then let the arguments begin.
Comments