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Oyster Bay - Baymen
OYSTER BAY
Baymen begin new era with boost in numbers boost in numbers
By MARC FISHKIN
Andrew Caramico, an Oyster Bay resident, is looking to bring a winning fragrance back to the Baymen. The previous regime endured three straight losing seasons at Oyster Bay, including a 2-6 record in 2021 lowlighted by a winless JV clip. New blood was sought to restore tradition, but the school didn’t have to look far. Caramico was hired as head coach in February from St. Dominic, the Catholic League school located in Oyster Bay. Enrollment numbers for the Baymen were down. Losses were up. Oyster Bay hasn’t qualifi ed for the Conference IV playoffs since 2007. “Oyster Bay has had a winning tradition,’’ Caramico said. “There’s a ton of banners, ton of culture there. We lost that connection to the past. “It’s a small community. A lot of the players - their neighbors, fathers, uncles were on rosters that won,” he added. “They won at the school and know what it’s like to win in this town. My biggest piece is reconnecting the tradition with what we’re bringing.” They’ll be bringing a new offensive and defensive scheme - a fl ex-bone tripleoption seen at Army and Navy to go with a 4-2-5 defense alignment. In addition, the Baymen boast two legitimate stars in Cameron Ingibritsen (running back/linebacker) and Joseph Gotti, who has a famous name and big game that makes him a Division I prospect. “(Gotti) should be defensive menace
winning fragrance back to endured three straight losing seasons at Oyster Bay, including a 2-6 record in 2021 lowlighted by a winless JV clip. New blood was sought to restore tradition, but the school didn’t have to look far. Caramico was hired as head coach in February from St. Dominic, the Catholic League school located in Oyster Enrollment numbers for the Baymen were down. Losses were up. Oyster Bay hasn’t qualifi ed for the Conference IV “Oyster Bay has had a winning tradition,’’ Caramico said. “There’s a ton of banners, ton of culture there. We lost that connection to the past. “It’s a small community. A lot of the players - their neighbors, fathers, uncles were on rosters that won,” he added. “They won at the school and know what it’s like to win in this town. My biggest piece is reconnecting the tradition with what we’re bringing.” They’ll be bringing a new offensive and defensive scheme - a fl ex-bone tripleoption seen at Army and Navy to go with a 4-2-5 defense alignment. In addition, the Baymen boast two legitimate stars in Cameron Ingibritsen (running back/linebacker) and Joseph Gotti, who has a famous name and big game that makes him a Division I prospect. “(Gotti) should be defensive menace this year at defensive end,’’ said Caramico, who believes last season’s scheme didn’t take full advantage of his skills. Ingibritsen is a returning All-County player but Oyster Bay won’t have his brother, Justin, a running back/linebacker who graduated and is playing for Western Connecticut. Oyster Bay lost four senior captains, making it a youthful contingent. Caramico eyes a two-year plan to prominence after too many years at the bottom. “The fi rst step is keeping kids engaged and teaching, fundamentals - blocking tackling – cliche stuff, but if we do that in Year 1, we’ll be very competitive,’’ Caramico said. “It’s a young team so we’re going to have a two-year vision.” There’s plenty of questions, starting at quarterback. Colin O’Toole, a junior and last season’s backup, will compete for the
Colin O’Toole Joseph Gotti
starting job. But it will be an open competition, the coach said. The offensive line has the most experience. Junior center John Barberi, Pat Kelly and Anthony Raio are a seasoned trio. The defense is led by Jake Macri, a stud defensive back who also is the school’s top lacrosse player. Macri has looked excellent in training camp and could be an All-Nassau County candidate. He’ll play both sides – running back and defensive back. “He has excelled with our new playbook and scheme on both sides of the ball,’’ Caramico said. “We expect him to make an immediate impact.’’ A key to the D is the comeback of senior Alex Zavala, a middle linebacker who missed most of last season after breaking his ankle. Oyster Bay’s ace in the hole is Ian Patrice, a running back/defensive back/ kick returner who could give the team a dangerous speed demon. “He’s the wildcard,” Camarico said. “The kid has unbelievable speed. He wasn’t given enough opportunity last year to show that. We’re high on him.” Surrounding Camarico on his new staff is offensive coordinator Greg Fairbend, formerly of Stony Brook, and running back/defensive backs coach Mario Baldino, who played at Hofstra. Camarico expected 40 kids to show up for training camp. Last season’s team ended with 22 bodies. It’s the fi rst step. The Baymen are seeded at the bottom of the 14-team conference and open the campaign at Mineola. The home opener is Sept. 17 versus West Hempstead and also Homecoming. Additional home games are against Valley Stream South, Island Trees and Valley Stream South, Island Trees and Locust Valley. Locust Valley.
Schedule
September 9 @ Mineola 7:00 p.m. 17 West Hempstead 2:00 p.m. 24 V.S. South 2:00 p.m. October 1 @ Lawrence 3:00 p.m. 8 Island Trees 2:00 p.m. 14 @ Carle Place 6:00 p.m. 21 @ East Rockaway 7:00 p.m. 29 Locust Valley 2:00 p.m.
