NJSIAA strips Mainland football team of victories

Mainland's football team forfeited its four wins from this season after the NJSIAA ruled Wednesday that the Mustangs had used an ineligible player.

Mainland coach Bob Coffey could not be reached for comment, but an official from another Cape-Atlantic League school said he was contacted about the matter.

NJSIAA assistant director Bob Baly and executive director Steve Timko also were unavailable for comment.

However, on the NJSIAA website that lists teams' power ratings, Mainland's record has gone from 4-3 to 0-7. St. Augustine, Ocean City, Absegami, and Buena received wins.

This also dramatically affects the power ratings. Teams receive six points for a win, plus the group size of the school they beat in addition to three bonus points for each win by a beaten opponent. A team that loses to an opponent also receives one point for every win that the victorious team has earned with the exception of their head-to-head game.

Now with Mainland at 0-7, Atlantic City's power rating goes from 106 to 118 and the Vikings have clinched a Group 4 playoff spot. Absegami moves from 74 to 84 and remains very much in the hunt.

Mainland had been in the running for a playoff spot.