The Hermits, who now play home games at new LaRosa Field on the Richland school's campus, return to their former home field one more time for the annual Thanksgiving eve contest 7 p.m. today at Buena's John J. Zucal Athletic Complex.

For starters, both teams enter the traditional Thanksgiving contest with 4-5 records, the winner assuring a .500 record. In addition, both teams' offenses like to keep the ball on the ground. Both teams also rely on speed and quickness to defend.

"We're so much alike it's scary," Buena coach George Maxwell said. "If anything, they have more team speed than we do. We are very equal this year"

While the 2001 editions of the Chiefs and Hermits appear similar, the history of this series is tilted to Buena. The Chiefs hold a 9-1 advantage all-time and have won the last five in a row. Buena won last year's game, 49-17.

"This group of seniors has never beat Buena. It means a lot for them because this is their last game and they want to go out with a win," said St. Augustine's first-year coach Keith Hoover, whose team is coming off a 61-6 loss to state power St. Joseph's (Montvale) in the Parochial Group 3 playoffs Nov. 10.

The Hermits' offense is led by running back Jamaal Forman. A junior, he has rushed for 630 yards and nine touchdowns. St. Augustine also has a potential game-breaker in senior Maurice Garlic, who has 163 yards and two scores and is a pass-catching weapon out of the backfield.

Senior George Smith is a versatile quarterback. He has 537 passing yards and three touchdowns, along with a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Buena is led by junior running back Andrew Mack. He's rushed for 915 yards and nine touchdowns. The Chiefs are coming off a thrilling, 28-21 win over Pinelands Regional in a consolation game Nov. 9, which gave them a chance to reach the .500 mark.

"We're young, but we want to finish the season .500," Maxwell said. "It will be a good end for our seniors who have played in some big games the last three years. It will also help us build for the future."