Atlantic City qualified for the playoffs late last Saturday afternoon as the eighth and final seed. That doesn't mean the Vikings can be overlooked.
Atlantic City, No. 10 in The Press Elite 11, has the speed to worry any Group IV contender. Wide receiver Dayshawn Reynolds showed what the Vikings are capable of the past two weeks, returning a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown in a 13-9 win over Hammonton and catching a 62-yard touchdown pass in a 27-19 loss to Millville.
In Pennsauken, Atlantic City will face a speedy team that averages nearly 450 yards of offense per game. Pennsauken is No. 7 in The Press Elite 11. Quarterback Manny Cortez has thrown 29 touchdown passes.
Atlantic City will have to overcome history to advance. No eighth seed has beaten a No. 1 seed in South Jersey Group IV since No. 8 Eastern defeated No. 1 Mainland in 2003.
Key players for Atlantic City: Kabir McCoy (photo above), QB, 46-of-88 for 732 yards and seven touchdowns; Radi Tolbert, RB/WR/QB, 11 catches for 209 yards and four touchdowns; Ismail Naji, WR, 23 catches for 402 yards and four touchdowns; Keyshawn Reynolds, LB.
Key players for Pennsauken: Manny Cortez, QB, 126-of-203 for 2,114 yards and 29 touchdowns, Also rushed 78 times for 655 yards; Amar Williams, WR, 35 catches for 677 yards and 11 touchdowns; Tyrik West, LB, 73 tackles and five sacks; Justin Anderson-Copes, LB, 61 tackles and six sacks.
Keys to victory: Atlantic City must figure out a way to slow Cortez down and make some big plays of its own.
