The quarterfinal rounds will be contested this weekend. All Friday games will begin at 7 p.m. while Saturday games will start at 1 p.m.

Semifinals are slated for the weekend of Nov. 20 and 21 while the championship games will be on Dec. 3, 4 or 5.

Vineland will travel to Deptford for a Group IV South consolation game on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Millville will host Pennsauken in a Group IV South consolation game on Friday at 7 p.m.

Buena is the seventh-seed in Group 2 and will travel to second-seeded West Deptford on Friday night.

Defending Group II champion Delsea landed the top-seed and will host eighth-seeded Woodrow Wilson on Friday.

Bridgeton is the fifth-seeded in Group 2 and will travel to Burlington County to meet fourth-seeded Cinnaminson, Game time is 7 p.m.

St. Augustine landed the fourth-seed in Group IV Non-Public and will host fifth-seeded Seton Hall.

Schalick will have to wait a day for its playoff game as the seventh-seeded Cougars travel to second-seeded Penns Grove on Saturday.

Cumberland Regional travels to Ocean City for a Group III South consolation game on Friday at 7 p.m.

Here are the official brackets:

 Group I South

Quarterfinals

Friday

(8) Palmyra at (1) Glassboro

Saturday

(5) Haddon Heights at (4) Paulsboro

(6) Pennsville at (3) Woodbury

(7) Schalick at (2) Penns Grove

Semifinals — Nov. 21 and 22

TBD

Final — Dec. 3, 4, 5

TBD

Group II South

Quarterfinals

Friday

(8) Woodrow Wilson at (1) Delsea

(5) Bridgeton at (4) Cinnaminson

(6) Willingboro at (3) Haddonfield

(7) Buena at (2) West Deptford

Semifinals — Nov. 21 and 22

TBD

Final — Dec. 3, 4, 5

TBD

Group III South

Quarterfinals

Friday

(8) Winslow Township at (1) Hammonton

(7) Moorestown at (2) Timber Creek

Saturday

(5) Seneca at (4) Burlington Township

(6) Pemberton at (3) Lacey Township

Semifinals — Nov. 21 and 22

TBD

Final — Dec. 3, 4, 5

TBD

Group IV South

Quarterfinals

Friday

(8) Eastern at (1) Cherokee

(5) Toms River North at (4) Williamstown

(6) Washington Township at (3) Toms River East

Saturday

(7) Shawnee vs. (2) Egg Harbor Township, at St. Augustine

Semifinals — Nov. 21 and 22

TBD

Final — Dec. 3, 4, 5

TBD

Group IV Non-Public

Quarterfinals

Friday

(5) Seton Hall at (4) St. Augustine

(8) Red Bank Catholic at (1) Don Bosco Prep

(6) St. Peter’s Prep at (3) Paul VI

(7) Bergen Catholic at (2) Notre Dame

Semifinals — Nov. 21 and 22

TBD

Final — Dec. 3, 4, 5

TBD

Some are very legimate reasons. Some are just excuses.

"I've heard them all over the years," said Vineland coach Ed Belfi, who remembers one former player telling him he missed a week of practice because he was packing for a trip to Florida.

Belfi sat eight starters for the first quarter of Friday night's game against Oakcrest because they missed a practice during the week.

Unfortunately, the discipline of players has become a weekly ritual for the coaching staff.

Have players' attitudes changed that much these days?  Is missing practice acceptable for these athletes? Am I getting that old?

 At a risk of sounding like my father here, in my days, if you missed a practice the only place you'd be next is on the bench for a very long time.

Maybe the younger players on this team deserve the chance to play. If they are showing up to practice and grinding it out in an effort to land a starting job, it might be time to award them.

Buena will face its third tough opponent in as many weeks this coming Friday night in the first round of the Group II South playoffs. That game is likely to be against top-seeded Delsea. The Crusaders are undefeated and have been simply dominant this season, hence earning the No. 1 seed.

But, as coach Paul Callahan put it, "The only thing they get for being the top see in a home game. The score is still 0-0."

That's the message that needs to be on the Chiefs' minds going into that matchup, in which they will be big-time underdogs. While an upset might not be in the cards, a strong showing would go a long way for this young Buena team. Simply showing up for a playoff game doesn't get you anywhere, but giving your all and putting forth a solid effort makes it a valuable experience.

One thousand passing yards in a game? No problem. An undefeated season and Super Bowl title? No sweat. A 200.00 quarterback efficiency rating, 9.0 rushing yards per carry, 15 sacks of the opposing QB?

All in a day's work.

That analogy comes to mind when fans clamor for junior varsity or freshmen players to get increased roles when the varsity squad struggles, as Vineland (1-6) has this season and Millville (1-9 in 2008) did last year. Those fans, almost always parents of the younger kids, see the success their babies have against lesser competition and say, why not us?

Here's why not: Pop that Madden game back in. Now ratchet the difficult setting up to "All-Pro" or "Very Hard" (I'm not sure what it's called nowadays; it's been a while since I played, unfortunately).

Now, the same quarterback who was shattering records is tossing pick-sixes like it's his job. The offensive line that had more pancakes than IHOP leaks like a sieve. The team that couldn't be stopped is suddenly the team that looks like slop.

The difference between freshman and JV football compared to varsity football is like that.

I've never been a parent, so I won't begin to tell anyone how to be one, but like many people, I have been a JV player. Like all high schoolers, I was eligible to play varsity basketball from the ninth grade on, but I didn't. Why? I wasn't good enough.

Too many fans believe that sub-varsity success easily translates to the big show. Those folks are very funny to anyone who knows better. Freshman Johnny may tear up the JV circuit, but it's a huge step from JV superstar to varsity contributor, and an even more massive step from that to varsity star.

The more likely scenario if Johnny were called up to varsity would be that he'd get hurt. The coaches know that. That's why they've left him on JV, to develop and come to the varsity team when he's ready physically--and emotionally, to bounce back when things go bad.

It's not the varsity coaches' jobs to make kids superstars, just like it's not the newspaper's job to get kids college scholarships.

A coach's job is to win games and follow the rules. He can't do that if 14-year-olds are getting their femurs broken and collarbones shattered by 18-year-old men all over the field.

A newspaper's job is to report facts and sell papers. It can't do that by covering freshman and JV teams, no matter how good they are. Trust me. Honestly, how closely does anyone follow sub-varsity sports until their son or daughter is on the team?

In high school sports, as in video games, dominating on "Easy" is nice, but not praiseworthy, and definitely does not ensure success on "Hard." Sub-varsity kids work hard, because that's what they're supposed to do. In ideal situations, freshman and JV teams get kids ready for the varsity program and all the credit (and blame) that goes with it.

That's the way it should be.

In the Chiefs 35-0 loss Friday, Buena simply failed to win the individual battles and either open up holes for the running game or create pressure on the Spartans' offense.

Buena's running game was held to just nine yards in the first half, and the defensive line, which has had a penchant for getting into the backfield and creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season, was kept in check while Joe Callahan threw for 159 yards before halftime.

Credit goes to Holy Spirit for creating space or running backs Nigel Jones and Donta Pollock. However, and not to slight the talented duo in any way, but it's easy to pick up first downs when you're not touched until four or five yards past the line of scrimmage on just about every play.

Holy Spirit picked up 20 first downs in the game, 12 in the first half compared to just one from Buena. It wasn't a matter of what team was able to run the ball better, simply a matter of what team was able to win the battle up front.

Later in the game, Buena attempted to get away from the stacked box in a couple of different ways. Running back Mike Haygood, the speedy, slasher back, saw his role increased, and freshman quarterback Shannon Rice took a few snaps. Rice is the more mobile of the two secondary quarterbacks behind Donetae McKinnon. Both Rice and Haygood have the speed to get outside

The Chiefs also tried to spread out the defense, coming out in a five-receiver set with McKinnon alone in the shotgun in the backfield.

Next week when Buena hosts St. Joseph, the outcome will be similar unless Buena can make strides in the trenches.

After a scintillating sophomore season that saw him accumulate 1,193 yards and become one of the rising stars in the Cape-Atlantic League, running back Brian Winchester has been a suprising non-factor so far this fall.

Winchester has rushed for 352 yards on 114 carries (a disappointing 3 yards per carry). He has only scored three touchdowns and is still seeking his first 100-yard game of the season.

Last year, he averaged 5.6 yards per carry, produced 11 touchdowns and had five 100-yard games.

So, what gives?

"I don't know, I really don't," Winchester said.

Vineland coach Ed Belfi didn't have an answer either, "You have to ask Brian about that."

Granted Winchester isn't an unknown in the CAL anymore. Teams didn't forget watching No. 23 roll up big numbers against them last year and he's attracting more attention.

Vineland also doesn't boast a big offensive line to create big holes either.

However, Winchester might have provided insight to his struggles earlier in the season. While being interviewed for a story in the preseason, Winchester said that he "didn't work out in the summer as much as I should have."  He also battled some injuries in the preseason and absorbed a concussion in Week 2 against Absegami.

All three of those reasons could be the answer to the original question.

Winchester has shown signs of busting out of the slump, including Friday's game against Atlantic City. He rushed for 46 yards in the first half, but was held to just 11 in the second half.

Asked if he thought this was going to be the breakout game of his season, Winchester replied "Yeah I did. I just don't know what happened."

Winchester will certainly rebound. He's too talented not to. However, he is running out of games.

What ultimately made the Blue Devils' trio more effective than Millville's trio of Rashad Johnson, Daron Moore and Dominick Askins, however, was the big guys blocking up front. What sets Hammonton apart from other Cape-Atlantic League teams that have just as quality of talent at skill positions (or better) is the unmatched strength and pursuit ability of the guys up front, offensively and defensively.

“Their line was getting a better push than ours was,” Johnson said. “They’re not a better running corps than we are. There’s nobody to blame but ourselves. We’ve just got to go back and do what we do.”

There are two games left in the season for Millville, which has a bye next week. The Thunderbolts play a consolation opponent in two weeks, then host Vineland on Thanksgiving Day.

The best news regarding the remaining schedule? They won't face a line as formidable as Hammonton's.

"They're big and strong up front," Durham said. "We knew that going in. We thought we had to score some points offensively to hang in there, and we weren't able to do that."

A 13-12 loss to Ocean City two weeks ago made this a must-win game for the Bolts. That left them with the nearly impossible task of having to beat Hammonton to make the postseason.

Didn't happen, and the Bolts' turnaround season will be remembered as a year they got close, but not quite.

"It hurts," Durham said. "As I told the guys, there's nothing we can do to change it. You don't get to redo it. We're just going to move on and try to learn from it and become better people and players."

AUDIO: Jason Durham 'not nearly consistent enough' DM101509

PLAY by PLAY.mvl Hamm

But Thomas, aware teammate Darnell Laws was running well en route to a 199-yard, two-touchdown game, was content settle for tying the record last week and spent the majority of the game handing off to Laws.

"On the sideline, he came up to me and said, 'Coach, Darnell is running so well, let's just keep feeding him the ball,'" recalled Dale Amos, the Hermits' offensive coordinator, this week. "That's how unselfish he is. It's great that he's in position to break the record, but it couldn't mean less to him as long as we won the game."

With just a handful of games remaining in his four-year varsity career, depending on how far the Hermits go in the state playoffs, Thomas will be remembered as much for his easy-going attitude than his golden arm and winged feet.

It's not that Thomas is blase; he just doesn't feel a whole lot of pressure. It's not in his nature to panic or take the game too seriously, teammates observed, although he is a dedicated worker on the field.

"We'll be down, 10-0, and he'll come into the huddle and crack a joke," said senior wide receiver Jimmy Goodroe, one of Thomas' favorite targets over the years. "When people start to point fingers, he comes in and starts busting on people, gets everyone laughing, and it's all good."

Thomas' next touchdown pass will put him in a class by himself. The Hermits travel to Pleasantville on Friday, hoping to protect their undefeated record and warm up for a huge conference matchup next week at Holy Spirit.

What sets Thomas apart?

"His character," Voumard said. Then he paused, and added: "That, and the fact that nobody can catch him."

Updated 10/29

South Jersey Group I

First round — Nov. 3

(16) Gloucester City at (1) Pitman

(9) Pennsville at (8) Clayton

(12) Penns Grove at (5) Salem

(13) Wildwood at (4) Riverside

(14) Burlington City at (3) Palmyra

(11) Lindenwold at (6) Schalick

(10) Woodbury at (7) Gateway

(15) Pt Pleasant Beach at (2) New Egypt

Quarterfinals — Nov. 6

TBD

Semifinals — Nov. 10

TBD

Final — Nov. 13

TBD

South Jersey Group II

First round — Nov. 3

(9) Barnegat at (8) Audubon

(12) Pleasantville at (5) Haddon Heights

(13) Glassboro at (4) Haddon Twp

(14) Overbrook at (3) Buena

(11) Collingswood at (6) Haddonfield

(10) Middle Twp at (7) Sterling

(15) Bridgeton at (2) West Deptford

Quarterfinals — Nov. 6

Barnegat/Audubon at (1) Woodstown

Semifinals — Nov. 10

TBD

Final — Nov. 13

TBD

South Jersey Group III

First round —Oct. 29

(16) Brick at (1) Central Reg

(9) Hammonton at (8) Manchester Twp

(12) Cumberland at (5) Timber Creek

(13) Burlington Twp at (4) Kingsway

(14) Ocean City at (3) Seneca

(11) Moorestown at (6) Delsea

(10) Westampton Tech at (7) Lacey

(15) Highland Reg at (2) Pt Pleasant Boro

Quarterfinals Nov. 4

TBD

Semifinals — Nov. 7

TBD

Final — Nov. 10

TBD

South Jersey Group IV

Preliminary

Oakcrest vs. Cherokee

First round — Nov. 3

Oakcrest/Cherokee at (1) Clearview

(9) Mainland at (8) Millville

(12) Shawnee at (5) Cherry Hill East

(13) Southern Reg at (4) Lenape

(14) Williamstown at (3) Cherry Hill West

(11) Vineland at (6) Toms River South

(10) Toms River East at (7) Absegami

(15) Winslow Twp at (2) Eastern

Quarterfinals —Nov. 6

TBD

Semifinals — Nov. 10

TBD

Final — Nov. 13

TBD

South Jersey Non-Public A

First round — Nov. 3

(9) Bishop Ahr at (8) St. John Vianney

(10) Paul VI at (7) St. Joseph-Metuchen

Quarterfinals —Nov. 6

Bishop Ahr/St. John Vianney at (1) St. Augustine

(5) Bishop Eustace at (4) Monsig Donovan

(6) Holy Spirit at (3) Notre Dame

St. Joe-Metuchen/Paul VI at (2) Christian Bros

Semifinals — Nov. 10

TBD

Final — Nov. 12 (Holmdel HS)

TBD

South Jersey Non-Public B

First round — Nov. 3

(9) St. Joseph-Hammonton at (8) Mater Dei

(10) Trenton Catholic at (7) Moorestown Friends

Quarterfinals —Nov. 6

St. Joe-Hammonton/Mater Dei at (1) St. Rose

(5) Holy Cross at (4) Gloucester Catholic

(6) Timothy Christian at (3) Wildwood Catholic

Moorestown Friends/Trenton Catholic at (2) Sacred Heart

Semifinals — Nov. 10

TBD

Final — Nov. 12 (Eastern HS)

TBD

South Jersey Group I

First round — October 29

(9) Lindenwold at (8) Pennsville

(10) Clayton at (7) Woodbury

Quarterfinals — Nov. 2

Lindenwold/Pennsville winner at (1) Schalick

(5) Gateway at (4) Salem

(6) Penns Grove at (3) Pitman

Clayton/Woodbury winner at (2) St. Joseph

Semifinals — Nov. 6

TBD

Final — Nov. 9

TBD

South Jersey Group II

First round — October 28

(9) Overbrook at (8) Woodstown

(12) Bridgeton at (5) Lower Cape May

(11) Sterling at (6) Buena

(10) Barnegat at (7) Middle Township

Quarterfinals — Nov. 3

Overbrook/Woodstown winner at (1) West Deptford

Bridgeton/Lower Cape May winner at (4) Haddonfield

Sterling/Buena winner at (3) Delsea

Barnegat/Middle Township winner at (2) Holy Spirit

Semifinals — Nov. 6

TBD

Final — Nov. 9

TBD

South Jersey Group III

First round —Oct. 29

(9) Cumberland at (8) Seneca

(11) Timber Creek at (6) Central

(10) Highland at (7) Paul VI

Quarterfinals Nov. 4

Cumberland/Seneca winner at (1) Ocean City

(5) Pinelands at (4) Hammonton

Timber Creek/Central winner at (3) Lacey

Highland/Paul VI winner at (2) Kingsway

Semifinals — Nov. 7

TBD

Final — Nov. 10

TBD

South Jersey Group IV

First round — Oct. 30

(9) Millville at (8) Egg Harbor Township

(12) Atlantic City at (5) Washington Township

(13) Oakcrest at (4) Shawnee

(14) Vineland at (3) Eastern

(11) Absegami at (6) Triton

(10) Williamstown at (7) Mainland

Quarterfinals —Nov. 5

Millville/Egg Harbor Township winner at (1) Southern

Williamstown/Mainland winner at (2) Clearview

Semifinals — Nov. 7

TBD

Final — Nov. 10

TBD

So what can this year's 1-5 Fighting Clan use as stimulus to close out 2009? The team can look at 500 again, as in the .500 mark.

Vineland must win its final four games of the season to hit the .500 mark. If the Clan pulls off the feat, they would achieve a 5-5 record for the first time since 2006.

Is it possible?

"I think so," junior Shaid Lovett said. "We just got to keep fighting. We can get there."

Lovett isn't alone in his opinion.

The Fighting Clan has more than a puncher's chance to rattle off four straight wins. That journey begins on Friday with Atlantic City on Homecoming.

Even if Vineland finds a way to beat Atlantic City and Oakcrest in the next two weeks, the Clan must be able to beat its state consolation opponent, which is to be determined, and a Millville squad, which could be the biggest surprise of the Cape-Atlantic League this season.

Vineland's offense, which has sputtered for most of the season, showed signs of life against Hammonton. Running back Brian Winchester appeared to have a bounce in his step for the first time this season. Quarterback Darrius Flowers continues to impress, especially with his improved protection of the ball. And, the offense has begun to hit a few more big plays.

However, Vineland still couldn't hit double-digits in a game, a trend that has occured in four of its six games this season.

Vineland has shown some signs that it might not be far off from achieving success on a more consistent basis. The team feels it should have a better record than 1-5.

Well, here's their chance to prove it. Win out and turn what has been a lost season to this point into a positive.

The junior played the entire game - at least until the final offense possession when the game was in hand - and looked solid. It's the second game back after missing all of the Chiefs matchup with Millville on Oct. 9 and the second half of the Buena's game against Middle Twp. the week before. McKinnon originally injured the ankle against Bridgeton in the team's second game of the season.

Buena will need a healthy McKinnon if they want to be a threat in the Group II South playoffs, which they qualified for with Friday's win. Not only is he one of the most talented runners in the Cape-Atlantic League, but he's also making strides with his new role as quarterback. He's not passing for yards, but he is efficient. Friday, he went 4-for-6 for 30 yards and he is yet to throw and interception this season.

One positive to McKinnon's absence has been the emergence of other running threats such as junior Mike Haygood and sophomore Terrance Brown. Brown is young, but shows a lot of promise and he's gotten many more touches with McKinnon out than he would have normally.

Haygood was going to step up regardless of McKinnon's health, but he's proven he can carry a heavier load. That said, he runs best with McKinnon in the lineup. Haygood has three 100-yard games this season, two (Pleasantville and Lower Cape May) have come when McKinnon was able to start and finish the game.

Some other props go out the Buena secondary for Friday night's game. Coming into the matchup the Chiefs had just two interceptions all year, and teams have shown an affinity for the pass against them. But Friday, Buena picked off Lower Cape May's talented sophomore quarterback three times. Avi Andino, Haygood and Shannon Rice were all on the receiving end of Mulligan picks, a good sign for the Chiefs with pass-oriented teams such as Holy Spirit and St. Augustine still ahead on the schedule.

The Bolts survived a 12-7 win over Mainland on Friday thanks to some strong defense and a series of big plays by receivers such as Daron Moore and Sammy Serra. Brandon Hart contributed on offense with two catches and defense with two interceptions, the biggest of which was the game-clincher at Millville's three-yard line with 50 seconds remaining.

"I think we increased our chances a lot right here," Hart said. "I just want everyone to know that we're in it. We'll try to come back."

Because Millville (4-3) has a bye the week of Nov. 7, the cutoff for NJSIAA state playoff qualification, the upcoming game against Hammonton is the team's last chance to bolster its power points arsenal. As it now stands, the Bolts' chances are slim. With a loss, their chances would be none.

"We're in the mix, and we are going to work our tails off to get ready for the next one," Millville coach Jason Durham said. "We obviously have a very tough opponent, but we're playing well and I'd rather have the opportunity than not have it, so we're excited about this week."

The difference was Millville's passing game, led by an experience senior passer in Tasker Robbins, and Mainland's overall offense, led by freshman Tom Bradway. Bradway made some plays with his feet, but seemed to get a little gun-shy late in the game and suffered from inexperience, as young players are liable to.

The Bolts needed a good game from Robbins. Although Askins scored both touchdowns, via kickoff return and rush, the rushing attack was controlled much better than in recent weeks. Rashad Johnson was limited to 56 yards on 18 carries, and the Bolts gained just 75 rushing yards as a team.

But Daron Moore, Sammy Serra, Brandon Hart and Khalil Wallace each made pivotal catches in traffic, helping keep drives alive and in Serra and Wallace's cases making up for crucial drops.

"The wide receivers made a ton of plays," Durham said. "Tasker made great throws. Our line gave him some time. Great programs like Mainland aren't going to let you do just one thing to them. You have to have some balance, and we showed some of that tonight."

There's one more left before the cutoff to determine if the Bolts make their first trip to the tournament in 11 years or settle for a state consolation tune-up to the Thanksgiving Day showdown against Vineland.

"I'm hoping everything falls into place like it should," Robbins said. "We'll give our best shot at it. We've got to come hard this week at Hammonton and just come out and play Millville football."

AUDIO: Brandon Hart 'We're in it' DM101498

AUDIO: Jason Durham 'Defense was huge' DM101500

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Here are just a few of the digits that have crunched the Clan.

Zero -  points scored in the first quarter by Vineland in five games.

27 - points scored in four games, an average of less than seven, against CAL American teams.

21 - turnovers by the offense, including a whopping 12 interceptions.

41 - rushing yards gained on 31 carries against Egg Harbor Township. With a backfield that includes super-talents like Darrius Flowers and Brian Winchester, it's almost  unthinkable for the Clan to average 1.3 yards per carry in a game.

2 - number of drives that consisted of six-or-more plays against EHT. Vineland's offense did manage to run 51 total offensive plays, but only those two drives chewed up more than four minutes off the clock.

What do all those numbers add up to? An extremely inconsistent offense which has  been the major reason why this team has scuffled to a 1-4 start.

Successful offenses start up front. Don't be surprised if there are some personnel changes for next week starting with the offensive line. Coach Ed Belfi may be forced to play some of his top defensive linemen like Marlin Milbourne and Jayson Williams on the offensive side of the ball.

Against Atlantic City and Buena, the Thunderbolts picked up key scores late in the games to pad their leads and allow them to escape with close victories. That ability abandoned them Friday, when despite drubbing Ocean City with 267 rushing yards, the Bolts failed to finish key drives and limped off the field with a 13-12 loss.

The defeat put Millville (3-3) behind the 8-ball for their first playoff spot since 1998. The Bolts now need a win next week over Mainland and help from outside forces.

Rashad Johnson's massive performance in the loss should not be overlooked. With second-leading rusher Daron Moore sidelined as a post-concussion precautionary measure and Dominick Askins sidelined for most of the second half with a leg injury, Johnson put the team on his back and rushed 24 times for 141 yards, including two touchdowns.

Khalil Wallace may be the team's best college prospect, but Johnson showed Friday that he is the team's heart and soul.

He tried but could not bring himself to talk after the game. Either he was heartbroken over the loss, or he was simply exhausted.

AUDIO: Tasker Robbins, 'we didn't get it done' DM101492

AUDIO: Jason Durham, 'this one's tough' DM101493

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