nicks and nacks

The pursuit of high school football information for 2007 continues.

Spoke to Dunellen coach Dave DeNapoli tonight. The Destroyers run a very unique offense -- the double wing.

"There's no splits whatsover," DeNapoli said. "We have two tight ends, two wingbacks, two fullbacks. The fullback is right behind the quarterback. We basically bring everybody in. I always felt it was the best way to give a weak team a chance to win."

DeNapoli said he got the idea a few years ago when the Destroyers were beaten by Middlesex and were dominated in time of possession.

Dunellen has a good group of skill players back this year. They will lack size. DeNapoli is hoping the offensive scheme can help.

Dunellen opens the season has a rugged scrimmage Tuesday morning at Columbia Park with North 2, Group I defending champion Verona and Group IV Perth Amboy. A surprise on the schedule will come Sept. 22 when the Destroyers play host to Wildwood, which has re-started its football program. Dunellen is now part of a very deep North 2, Group I bracket, which includes the aforementioned Verona, Belvidere, New Providence and Hoboken.

Governor Livingston will start the season without senior quarterback Tyler George, who broke his right hand playing basketball. GL coach Terry Hanratty said that George may be ready to play week three against Newark Central Sept. 20.

The Highlanders lost the area's leading scorer in the versatile Matt Zimmerman and tight end Matt Boyer. Players like senior fullback Joey Gilfedder and linebacker Matt Fullowan and four-year starting linebacker Joe Natale will play big roles. Look for sophomore Max Machado to fill in for George at quarterback.

Funny twist of the schedule for Bound Brook. The Crusaders will play North Warren twice in the regular season. Bound Brook plays the Patriots at home Friday night Sept. 14, then plays at North Warren Oct. 12. I can't recall two teams playing each other twice in the same regular season. It has happened in the playoffs.

In 1999, Hunterdon Central lost to West Windsor Plainsboro in the last week of the regular season, then beat the same team in the first round of the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs. Central beat Piscataway for the that year.