Millville aims to end 22-year drought

Millville tackle Nick Tyndal is a four-year starter. He's a veteran of the oldest, richest Thanksgiving Day football rivalry in South Jersey.

But Tyndal has never played in a game like Friday night's clash between host Millville and Atlantic City.

"This is the biggest game in my career to date," Tyndal said. "We haven't won a conference title in 22 years, and this is our chance. Plus, we know what it means as far as the playoffs."

Division title, playoff implications, bragging rights between fierce rivals - it's all on the line as Millville (7-0), the No. 5 team in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings, welcomes No. 8 Atlantic City (6-1) in the regular-season Game of the Year in the Cape-Atlantic American Division.

"Our kids know what's at stake," Millville coach Jason Durham said. "This is the biggest game we've played in a while."

Millville likely would still qualify for the South Jersey Group 4 tournament with a loss. But the Thunderbolts have a chance to surge into the playoffs as the No. 1 or 2 seed, which would mean two home games before the sectional final.

The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Tyndal, a two-way lineman, said the Thunderbolts are focused more on the division title than the playoff implications.

"That would be a big deal," Tyndal said of winning the division. "That's our first goal. We want to make it all the way to the sectional title game. But we want to take care of the division first.

"It's been such a long time since Millville won a title. It would mean so much to us to be the team to do it."

Millville's strength might be a front line that features Tyndal, center Jimmy Cessna, and Chris Whitelam. Up until last week's 26-3 victory over St. Augustine Prep, Millville had not allowed a sack this season.

"That's the key for us," Tyndal said. "We want to keep our quarterback from getting sacked and have our running back run for 200 yards."

Millville quarterback Shaquille Lee, a two-year starter, is coming off a strong game. He returned an interception for a touchdown and threw two touchdown passes in the victory over St. Augustine Prep.

Millville's front line has been clearing the way for running back Alquann Jones, who leads the Cape-Atlantic in rushing yards with 1,343 and touchdowns with 16.

"He dies hard," Durham said of Jones' running style.

Atlantic City is riding high after Dayshawn Reynolds' kickoff return for a touchdown with six minutes to play lifted the Vikings to a 13-9 upset of previously undefeated Hammonton last Friday.

Atlantic City is led by senior wide receiver Ishmail Naji, who has four touchdown receptions, and senior all-purpose back Radi Tolbert.

"They line up in that Wildcat [formation], and they are tough to defend," Tyndal said.

Analysis. This is bigger game for Millville than any recent Thanksgiving Day clashes with rival Vineland. The Thunderbolts rate the edge up front and in the ground game, but need to limit the Vikings' big plays.

Pick: Millville, 24-20.