By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Publisher GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — The Mainland Regional football team knew its playoff life was on the line on Friday night against Absegami, and the Mustangs played like it. Led by another strong defensive effort and a steady, mistake-free game from senior quarterback Sam Jackson, the Mustangs scored 10 fourth-quarter points to break a 7-7 tie and score a huge 17-7 win over the Braves that kept their state playoff hopes alive. Mainland (4-3, 3-3 Cape-Atlantic League American Conference) came into the game 10th in power points in South Jersey Group 4, three points behind Absegami and nine behind Highland for the eighth and final spot in the playoff bracket. A win over Vineland next week may help the Mustangs slip into the No. 8 seed. “We knew coming in this was going to be a tough game, and we knew coming out of halftime that we would have to play hard and play tough, and that’s what we did. I respect (Absegami), they didn’t give up at all and they gave it their all the whole game,” said senior defensive lineman Mike Kennedy. “The last couple of weeks have been really tough, so a win like this is great, it really boosts our confidence for Vineland next week. They are a very similar team (to Absegami).” Mainland defensive back David Cullen reacts after nearly picking off a pass during the Mustangs' win on Friday night. Mainland defensive back David Cullen reacts after nearly picking off a pass during the Mustangs’ win on Friday night. Jackson connected with Kobe Roberts on a key third-down play to keep the drive alive, then converted another third down on a slant to Bishop. Mainland drove down to the Braves’ 17, where Jackson hooked up with Bishop again on a swing pass. Bishop did the rest, making a move on a defender, cutting to the outside and racing down the right sideline to score and put the Mustangs up 14-7 early in the fourth quarter. Midway through the fourth quarter, Mainland had a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, but a penalty backed the Mustangs up outside the 15. After a couple of incompletions, Mike Juliano nailed a 33-yard field goal that gave Mainland a 10-point lead, 17-7. That drive ate up nearly five minutes, and a missed field goal by Absegami — set up by a frenetic drive orchestrated by Andrew Marcucci, on in relief of Wilkerson — with about four minutes remaining allowed Mainland to run out the clock. “The way the offense played really boosted the confidence of defense,” Kennedy said. “As a defensive player, when the offense is doing well you want to keep it rolling, keep going down the field and score. You kind of felt the tension in the air with (Absegami) after that drive.” “This gives us momentum. Justin has been doing it all year and Tahir made some great runs, he was breaking tackles. He played a very good game,” Jackson said. “I just try to make plays. My teammates helped me out. The wideouts were open, they ran great routes and caught the ball.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays [adsense]