Cape-Atlantic shuffles football divisions

The Cape-Atlantic League has realigned for football, creating a heavyweight division with its nine strongest programs over the last two seasons.

The other division has the league's nine weakest programs, at least based on power points over the last two seasons.

"You're never going to cook chicken soup that all 18 schools are going to like," said Mainland athletic director Mike Gatley, the league's president.

The new American Division has the nine teams that earned the most playoff power points in 2010 and 2011: Holy Spirit, Hammonton, St. Joseph, Millville, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Oakcrest, Absegami, and Mainland.

The new National Division has the next nine teams in terms of power points over the last two seasons: Lower Cape May, Bridgeton, St. Augustine, Vineland, Buena, Ocean City, Cedar Creek, Middle Township, and Pleasantville.

The one crossover game will match the No. 1 American team vs. the No. 1 National, and so on.

Thanksgiving rivalries will be preserved, so Hammonton will play St. Joseph on that weekend - but this time the American title might be on the line.

Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports