Season of Change in 2016 for Ocean City High School Football Team

Ocean City, NJ -- The move to the West Jersey Football League won’t be the only change of scenery for the Ocean City High School football team this upcoming season.

The NJSIAA released its group classifications for the 2016 season last week, and the Red Raiders suddenly find themselves in Group 4, according to nj.com. The Red Raiders have played in Group 3 for a long time.

Groups are set up based on school size and location.

In football, the largest schools are in Group 5, the next largest are in Group 4, etc., down to the smallest classification at Group 1.

Ocean City was 4-6 last season, and missed the Group 3 playoffs.

Teams qualify for the playoffs based on power points, which are awarded based on strength of schedule. Wins over teams in larger groups are worth more power points than wins over teams in smaller groups.

The competition at the Group 4 level is generally tougher than it is at the Group 3 level, and Ocean City will have to qualify for the playoffs while competing in the new West Jersey Football League United Division.

The division matchups won’t offer much help, as Ocean City plays no Group 4 opponents, and has to play a game against a team in Group 1.

Its divisional rivals include Pleasantville (Group 2), Lower Cape May (Group 2), Middle Township (Group 2), Buena (Group 1) and Holy Spirit (Group 2).

When the Red Raiders step outside the division, the size of the opponent increases, with three Group 4 opponents on the non-divisional schedule.

Non-divisional opponents include Oakcrest (Group 3), Cedar Creek (Group 2), West Windsor-Plainsboro South (Group 4), Absegami (Group 4), Mainland (Group 4), and St. Joseph Hammonton (Group 2).

The Pleasantville game will be played on Thanksgiving, and will not count toward Ocean City’s power point total.

To view the full schedule, visit maxpreps.com.

Timber Creek is the defending South Jersey Group 4 champion, and remains in Group 4 this year.