Mainland is No. 1 in Group 4, Buena is No. 1 in Group 2 and Hammonton is No. 2 in Group 3.

Those are the three teams from the Cape-Atlantic League that have clinched positions in the 2008 NJSIAA football playoffs. Mainland has two games before the Nov. 10 deadline it should win (Oakcrest & Absegami) giving it a very good chance to hold on to the No. 1 seed. Buena faces Holy Spirit and St. Joseph in its next two games, a couple of serious challenges. And Hammonton will play Millville and Egg Harbor Township.

EHT probably needs to beat Hammonton to qualify in Group 4. Atlantic City likely needs to win both of its pre-deadline games (Vineland & Ocean City) to make it in Group 4. Likewise Absegami, against Ocean City and Mainland.

Holy Spirit probably needs to beat either Buena or St. Augustine to get a chance to defend its title in Non-Public 3. The Prep might make it in the extremely tough Non-Public 4 this week with a win over Pleasantville but could need a win over Spirit to qualify. St. Joseph must beat either Lower Cape May or Buena to qualify for the 26th straight year.

Ocean City will qualify in Group 3 with a win over either Absegami or Atlantic City. And Bridgeton needs a win over Springfield High School (4-5) in Erdenheim PA on Friday night to stay alive in Group 2.

The next two weekends should be filled with tension and excitement. And it looks like they will be followed by more weeks of action for CAL teams in the playoffs.