Fee to be focal point of Spotswood's new offense

Spotswood High School football coach Andy Cammarano has always allowed personnel to dictate his offense, so it comes as no surprise that the veteran mentor would tailor this year's scheme around Chase Fee.

A senior running back with game-breaking ability, Fee will be the focal point of a new spread Wing-T formation that will operate primarily out of the shotgun.

Two years ago, Spotswood relied on the passing combination of quarterback C.J. O'Connor and fleet-footed receiver Corey Brown, who teamed up for a Greater Middlesex Conference-leading 972 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Last season, the Chargers grounded their aerial attack, throwing with remarkable infrequency (29 attemtps) to take advantage of a vaunted running game that featured the speedy Fee and bulldozing fullback Jack Dalrymple.

Spotswood, which defeated Point Pleasant Beach while throwing just one pass the entire game, amassed 1,593 rushing yards and just 313 more through the air a year ago.

Expect the Chargers, following the graduation of Dalrymple and O'Connor, to be more balanced this fall with Fee catching passes out of the backfield and running jet sweeps out of the new-look offense.

"Last year, Jack was the key for our team at fullback," said Fee, noting he will be joined in the backfield by running back Ryan Long and rookie quarterback Ryan Smolin.

"We are looking to spread teams out on defense a little bit more, spread the defensive backs and linebackers and open some more lanes for running backs."

Cammarano said Spotswood wants to emulate Sayreville, winner of three sectional titles in the past four years, offensively.

"They get everybody involved," Cammarano said. "They may be run-heavy, but they can still throw. We are going to spread the ball around and this will allow Chase to work in space. I'm not saying we are (going to have the Bombers' success)."

Fee, who also plays in the secondary and returns punts and kicks for the Chargers, was the team's second-leading rusher last season with 550 yards and five touchdowns on 63 carries (Dalrymple paced Spotswood with 560 yards on 108 carries).

"My job as a coach is to maximize what we have," Cammarano said of his intent to make Fee the offense's focal point. "When you look at (Fee) on film, he looks fast. There are plenty of kids that can run straight quickly. But he can make you miss, accelerate and get away from anybody trailing him. I haven't had anybody who could really return a kickoff or interception the other way."

Fee's dramatic 85-yard kickoff return with two minutes remaining erased a 19-16 deficit and lifted Spotswood to a thrilling 29-19 comeback victory over Dunellen in a see-saw contest last fall that ended the Destroyers' string of five consecutive GMC Blue Division titles.

His heroics created a GMC regular-season finale showdown for the division championship with South River, which defeated the previously unbeaten Chargers 14-3 to claim the crown.

Spotswood went on to lose its next two games, ending a once-promising season and one of the finest in school history with a 7-3 record.

SPOTSWOOD

About the Chargers

Coach: Andy Cammarano, seventh season (27-25).

Assistants: Nick Cammarano (assistant head coach, quarterbacks); Dan White (defensive line, offensive line); Dan Krainski (offensive line, outside linebackers); James Mahoney (receivers, defensive backs); Nick Cammarano Sr. (volunteer, offensive line, video coordinator); Dan Carhart (volunteer, running backs).

Stadium: Charger Stadium.

Colors: Blue and gold.

Classification: Central Group II.

Offensive formation: Wing-T.

Defensive formation: 4-4.

Last year (7-3 overall, 5-1 GMC Blue): Middlesex 20-7 (W), Keansburg 60-0 (W), Point Pleasant Beach 7-3 (W), Highland Park 45-8 (W), Cardinal McCarrick (forfeit), Metuchen 20-14 (W), Dunellen 29-19 (W), South River 14-3 (L), Mater Dei 30-24 (L), Rahway 47-20 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 13 Dunellen, 1 p.m.; Sept. 19 at Shore, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 Highland Park, 1 p.m.; Oct. 3 at Point Pleasant Beach, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 at Holmdel, 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 South River, 1 p.m.; Oct. 25 Keyport, 1 p.m.; Nov. 1 at Middlesex, 1 p.m.; Nov. 8 at Metuchen, 2 p.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Chase Fee (Sr., RB-DB, 5-6, 150); Ryan Long (Sr., 5-10, 180, RB-LB); Mason White (Sr., 6-0, 220, G-LB); Jeremy Katz (Sr., 6-2, 265, T-DT); Neftali Aguirre (Sr., 6-1, 230, T-DE); Mark Petscavage (Sr., 5-10, 245, G-DL); Lou Vacca (Jr., 6-1, 250, T-DT).

Key losses: Jeff Szatkowski (SE-DB); C.J. O'Connor (QB); Austin Wyatt G-LB); Jack Dalrymple (FB-LB); Shane White (G-LB); Mario Vasquez (OL-DL); Gerard Reichardt (T-DT); James Collins (T-DT); Anthony D'Armiento (OL-DL).

Top newcomers: Ryan Smolin (Sr., QB, 5-9, 165); Conner McCloskey (Jr., 5-9, 150, K-LB); Nick Bacskoczky (Sr., 6-0, 170, WR-DB); Matt Torres (Sr., 5-10, 175, RB); Joe Hayford (Jr., 5-9, 170, LB); Chris Nardine (Jr., 5-9, 180, LB); James Caffrey (Sr., 5-10, 190, G); Bob Horowitz (Sr., 5-10, 195, C); Derek Schneider (Jr., 6-1, 185, TE-DE).