When you look at the numbers as they relate to Spotswood’s football program the past three years, they add up to what might be a promising season this fall.
The Spotswood High School offensive players huddle up before running a play during practice. The Chargers are preparing for their Sept. 11 opener at home against South River. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ERIC SUCAR staff A team that endured five disappointing campaigns without qualifying for the state playoffs, the Chargers squeezed into the Central Jersey Group I sectionals with a 4- 4 record only to see the season end with a 28-7 thumping by Metuchen. The record ended at 5-5 with a regular-season victory over Holmdel.
However, back up to 2007, when current coach Andy Cammarano assumed the job, and you can see how Spotswood has improved by sticking to their head coach’s system. This is how Cammarano explains it:
“Our first freshman team went 0-10,” he said, “and I knew the kids needed to unlearn a lot of things before they could learn how I coached. That same group played as the junior varsity the following season and improved to 6-2. That’s when I knew we were headed in the right direction. Making the playoffs last year was a result of sticking to the game plan. This fall, we’re looking for ever-better results, winning our division (Greater Middlesex Conference Blue) and section (CJ I). The pieces are there for us to accomplish this.”
There are also physical changes at the high school, notably in the weight room, which was doubled in size to include cardio and power-lifting sections. The other changes involve the bodies present in the weight room.
“We’ve had about 90 percent regular attendance this summer, including freshmen,” Cammarano observed. “The seniors have become the leaders we want them to be, and all the players have bought into the system. We feel good about the direction we’re headed.”
The coach can also feel positive about the quality of players returning. The quarterback is Dean Vitale (5-10, 160, junior), back after starting nearly every game in 2009. His arm is above average, and defenses need to be wary of Vitale’s ability to throw long. His targets are Steve Manahan (6-3, 180, senior), a rangy receiver, and tight end Kyle Knibbs (6-0, 190, senior).
Cammarano is confident that his backfield will be productive. Justin Hamann (6- 0, 215, junior) started the last five games in 2009 and has returned with added bulk to be the workhorse back Spotswood needs in its wing-T offense. The other back is Garret Walters (6-0, 195, senior), who rushed for over 700 yards and is equally dangerous as a receiver as he is rushing.
The offensive line features bulk and experience. John Crothers (6-0, 200, senior) starts at center and is flanked by guards Bill Visokay (6-0, 285, senior) and Mike Kantlehner (6-0, 200, senior). At the tackles are Pete Ogrodnick (6-1, 260, senior) and Joe Tackacs (6-5, 275, senior).
Because of the players’ familiarity with Cammarano’s defensive system, the coach calls on many offensive players to take up positions on the other side of the line. Ogrodnick anchors the line at nose guard while Knibbs and Kantlehner play defensive ends to make up the Chargers’ three down linemen.
The linebackers are Alex Robinson (5-9, 175, senior), Dom Maselli (5-10, 185, sophomore) and Anthony Calvano (5-8, 150, senior). In the secondary are Walters and Jeff Lynch (5-9, 185, senior), Vitale, Corey Brown (6-1, 175, sophomore) and Kevin Behan (6-0, 170, senior).
The field-goal kicking and extra points are the responsibility of Sean Hudson (6-0, 165, junior). Walters handles the punting.
“We’ve gone about practice with a nononsense attitude,” Cammarano says. “The players who have grown with the program have experienced the improvement and now fully expect to win. We’ve set our goals high of winning the division and Central Jersey Group I, but that’s the way it should be.”
An interesting twist in the regular-season schedule, which kicks off this Saturday, finds the Chargers hosting rival South River in a 1 p.m. contest. This marks the third consecutive time that Spotswood has been the home team versus the Rams. Spotswood will play three crossover games with Shore Conference opponents, at Mater Dei (Sept. 25), at Keyport (Oct. 30), and the regularseason finale vs. Point Pleasant Beach (Nov. 6).