Willie Cawley has sensed a shift in the feeling around the Cardinal Spellman football program.
The first-year coach takes over a squad that has fallen on some tough times, winning just one game the last two seasons, after claiming a CHSFL Class A title in 2008. Cawley, an assistant at the school since 2000, replaces Dan Crane, who left for family reasons and is currently helping coach the freshman team at Mount St. Michael. He has seen more of the school’s athletes coming to play and ones already on the team are attacking things with added energy.
“I bring the athletes with me sometimes and we work out and we do extra,” running back Germain Ngaba said. “I feel like we need to do that. We just can’t be an average team anymore.”
If so, Ngaba will be a big reason why. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound back was explosive with the ball in his hands last season. He had an 85-yard kickoff return for a score, ran an inception 60 yards to the end zone for a touchdown and even threw a touchdown pass. Cawley said Ngaba will either just return punts or kicks and not both so he can be fresher also playing linebacker.
“He is stronger and faster and his hands have gotten so much better,” Cawley said. “He can catch a ball, unlike last year he was always dropping them. This year he is picking them out of the air.”
He and Ngaba are excited over the improved size of the offensive line, led by 315-pound two-way lineman Stephen Rodriguez. He will be joined by Matt Ramirez (260 pounds) and James Cassidy (240 pounds). They will also have the job of protecting whoever wins the quarterback competition between Sean Marcano and John Alva.
“We are staying with the spread because of our size,” Cawley said. “I think we are going to play more smash mouth football. We have some weapons.”
Those include wide receivers Devonte Hobson, Brandon Miller and Kyle Phillips. Ray Arno will also see time at running back. Cawley said he plans on opening the offense up in order to create opportunities for Ngaba.
“Our receiving squad is looking good,” Ngaba said. “Running back, I think I can handle that.”
They will battle some inexperience on defense. Pius Akpomeda returns at cornerback, Miller will be a versatile free safety and Jaylen Miller will be one of the leaders at linebacker. Ivan Belfon will lead the defensive line. Cawley is excited about defensive coordinatior George Kern coming back to the varsity staff from the freshman team. The two coached together for eight straight years at Spellman until 2008.
Cawley is energized by what he’s seen in the first week of practice. He has seen a more energized group of players not ready to settle for the struggles of the past.
“We have good athletes and now they are coming out to play.” Cawley said. “The attitude is changing.”