Spotswood looks to reload with talented youth

Move to White Division offers new challenge
for Chargers

BY RICHARD JEROME
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Mike Dubovick (above) will lead the Spotswood Chargers this year at the quarterback position. After a sojourn as head coach at Cardinal McCarrick, former Spotswood High School assistant Ron Raymond takes over the Chargers’ reins this fall.

Last year SHS had a fine campaign, going 9-2 and making it to the sectional semifinals. This time around there are lots of new faces in the lineup.

“Our strength is our running game,” said Raymond, who lost 22 seniors to graduation. “With experience, I hope we’ll get better every week.”

A pair of Spotwood ball carriers try to get some yardage during a recent scrimmage against Keyport in Spotswood. The Chargers open up on Saturday against Johnson Regional of Union County.

Running the offense is senior quarterback Mike Dubovick (5-9, 170), a running back last year who is one of a set of triplets in the SHS lineup. He’ll be running the option often this fall.

Other backs are seniors Dom Calogero (6-1, 219) and Dylan Bamrick (5-10, 176), and junior Joe Kopetski, who stands 5-7 and weighs in at 160.

Another triplet, senior John Dubovick (6-1, 180) will be catching his brother’s passes, along with senior Greg Becker (6-0, 160), sophomore John Berner (6-0, 152), senior Rob Joule (5-10, 182) and senior Gary Conger (5-7, 160).

The tight ends are juniors Tom Kantlehner (6-2, 197) and Zack Olesinski (5-11, 182).

Also on the line, juniors Tom Cassidy (6-1, 227) and John Vance (6-1, 191) share tackle with senior Rob Crotzer, a 5-11, 260-pounder. Penciled in for guard are seniors Ari Kalamanis (6-3, 242), Tim Dubovick (5-11, 178), the third triplet, and senior Ron Drako (6-1, 221).

The two centers are senior Lou DiMeglio (5-9, 215) and big Tom Draghi (6-4, 305).

On defense are many of the same cast. Kantlehner and Kalamanis are at the ends, with senior Rich Smith (5-11, 234) at tackle with Crotzer, Drako and Draghi. Kopetski, Bamrick and Tim Dubovick are the outside linebackers, and on the inside are Calogero and 5-9, 175-pound junior Mike O’Neill.

The cornerback cast consists of Mike Ruffley (5-9, 160), a senior, John and Mike Dubovick, and sophomore Bryan Osofsky (5-9, 155). Becker is at safety.

As for kicking chores, Mike Dubovick will punt, while the extra points are the responsibility of a sophomore, Zack Eisenbrey (6-1, 217).

The roster of SHS assistant coaches includes Bill Visokay, Nick Costa, Dan Novak, Rick Gonnella, Glenn Fredericks and Chris McGissiec, with Tony DeVivo and Dan Silvia heading the freshmen.

“Our goal is to get better each week,” said Raymond. “Our only big lack is experience.”