expectations for itself
Experienced Charger team setting high
expectations for itself
By richard jerome
Staff Writer
DAWNMARIE SANNWALDT Senior quarterback Dan Osofsky is back to lead the Chargers this year as they look to build off last year’s 6-3-1 mark.
This could be a season of milestones for the Spotswood High School football team.
With seven wins, the Chargers, who went 6-3-1 last year, would reach the 100th victory mark all-time.
And three victories would make John Fiore the winningest coach in school history.
With a 21-8-1 mark so far, Fiore has by far the highest winning percentage ever for a SHS mentor.
DAWNMARIE SANNWALDT With just three wins this season, Spotswood High School head coach John Fiore can become the school’s all-time winningest coach in just his fourth year at the helm.
Signs are optimistic for Spotswood, which opens the season on Sept. 19 at Middlesex.
"We have a lot of kids coming back," said Fiore, whose squad is composed overwhelmingly of seniors.
At the top of the list is quarterback Danny Osofsky (6-1, 186) the all-time career and single-season passer in Charger history. Last year he completed 50 percent of his tosses for 1,059 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Running backs James Corbett (6-0, 195) and Nelson Stryker (5-8, 165) both gained more than 400 yards last fall, while 6-0, 190-pound receiver Brett Eckman caught 30 passes for 512 yards and seven TDs
Another senior receiver, Derek Katcher (5-7, 150) has "incredible hands" according to Fiore.
Among other seniors, Sean Fusco (6-2, 248) is a center and defensive end, Chris Vance (6-3, 268) is an offensive tackle and defensive lineman, and 5-10, 195-pound Tim Retzlaff returns at offensive guard.
On defense, Bobby Sannwaldt (6-2, 165) is back at cornerback and Eugene Scheicher (5-11, 165) plays free safety.
Corbett is at middle linebacker and 5-9, 235-pound Dan Harmon will start at nose guard. Eckman is the strong safety.
As for the few varsity juniors, Dominick Calogero (6-0, 218) will be a linebacker and fullback, with Mike Dubovick (5-10, 160) at cornerback, Rich Smith (6-2, 235) on the defensive line with Fusco, Vance and Harmon, and Ryan Scanlon (5-10, 210) playing defensive end and offensive guard.
Though the team has looked strong through the preseason, Fiore admits that the squad remains a bit of an unknown commodity at this point."
But Fiore expected all that would have changed yesterday.
"We [had] a scrimmage against [perennial Shore power and defending state champion] Manasquan, and we’ll see what we’re made of," said Fiore. "Our goals are to get by New Brunswick and make the playoffs."
New Brunswick will likely be among the Greater Middlesex Conference’s top teams once again, along with the usual suspects, including arch rival South River.
Though the Rams will be without their all-time leading rusher, Zack Earvin, their defensive leader Steve Maclosky, and a host of other graduated stars, they still return a number of talented players and should compete for the division title.
Spotswood is hoping that this is the year when they take the next step, and challenge for the division title.But it won’t be easy, as the Blue Division looks to be as competitive as ever.
Spotswood will play all of its divisional games first, starting with Middlesex on Sept. 19, followed by Dunellen (Sept. 25, home opener), South River, Metuchen, New Brunswick, Cardinal McCarrick and Highland Park.
The Chargers will finish out the regular season with two out-of-division games against Monroe and A.L. Johnson.
Helping out along the sidelines are assistant coaches Joe Fiore and R.J. Dominguez (defense), Dave Ryde (defensive ends and running backs), Jeff Lawton (offensive line and linebackers, along with the JVs); freshman coach Mike Kays; Glenn Fredericks, who watches over the quarterback and defensive line; and volunteers Jason Zabawa, Barry Wells and Bob Ferraro.