October 29, 2003
Injury could end Matt Chila's season
By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist
Former Ocean City High School star Matt Chila left Saturday’s Homecoming Game at Villanova with a
knee injury that may end his college career.
Chila, who missed the final two games of his high school career with an injury to the other leg, is
considered one of the finest tight ends in the country. He had already been invited to a pair of post-season
all star games.
Last year, Chila was All-Atlantic 10 with 48 catches for 514 yards and five TDs while earning a reputation
as a devastating blocker. This year he had 20 catches for 121 yards.
Chila was to undergo an MRI earlier this week to determine the degree of his injury.
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With just two weeks left in the battle for football playoff positions, the Cape-Atlantic League has more than
its share of contenders.
In Group 4, Vineland (7-0) and Mainland (6-0) are pretty well set, regardless of what happens in the next
two weeks. It will be Vineland’s first appearance since 1984. Toms River East and Cherokee are still
undefeated and Cherokee has one loss. Absegami, Egg Harbor Township and Millville are contenders for a
spot, though probably only one of them could make it.
In Group 3, Hammonton is in great shape and Ocean City is still alive. See separate story for the Group 3
details.
Group 2 is wide open, after Moorestown, Overbrook and West Deptford. From the CAL, Buena,
Pleasantville, Bridgeton and Middle Township are all in contention for a spot.
In Parochial 2, St. Joseph has reached the playoffs for the 21st straight season. Holy Spirit can also make
it with two straight wins, over Buena and Bridgeton.
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After seven weekends of CAL football, here are a few statistical observations.
Ocean City became the last CAL team to throw a touchdown pass last Friday, doing it twice in a win at
Academy Park. St. Joseph has the most (10) and Absegami (1) the fewest. St. Joe and Middle Township
have allowed the fewest TD passes, just one each.
Holy Spirit is the perfect definition of a rebuilding team. The Spartans are fifth in the CAL in scoring but not
a single point has been scored by a senior. Spirit junior fullback Andrew Clayton leads the National
Conference with 72 points.
Vineland’s Darren Ford is the only CAL player with two return TDs. He has brought back two kickoffs. Ford
also has 10 rushing touchdowns, three as a pass receiver and one two-point conversion.
More than halfway through the season, Absegami, Ocean City, Oakcrest, Bridgeton, Lower Cape May and
St. Augustine are all still looking for their first home win. Bridgeton has compensated by being one of five
undefeated teams on the road.
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During the past month, schools like Ocean City and Holy Spirit have added new members to their Halls of
Fame. Mainland will hold an induction next month. While all this was going on, a prominent area sports
personality was inducted into his high school hall.
Rich Dorsey, former boys soccer coach at Mainland and one of the best football, basketball and baseball
officials in the state, was inducted into the Bishop Eustace Hall of Fame. Dorsey was a star in football,
basketball and baseball at Eustace.
Retired from Mainland and from active officiating, Dorsey has delayed his return to Florida this fall, not
because of his hall of fame induction but to watch his grandson, Rich Baker, play soccer for Ocean City’s
American Conference champions.
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