inside: - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

Tim Steadman/CW photoPowerful South Mecklenburg senior fullback Spencer Shuey is firmly in the gaze of opposing players, not to mention major-collegefootball recruiters.The PunisherTough-guy Spencer Shuey epitomizes South Mecklenburg footballby Aaron Garciaaaron@thecharlotteweekly.comIn many ways, Spencer Shuey perfectly embodiesthe South Mecklenburg football team. It’s not justthe fact that he plays the all-important position offullback in head coach James Martin’s vaunted DoubleWing Offense. It’s not even the fact that Shueyhas two S’s in his name, just like his school.At 6 foot 4, 250 pounds, Shuey plays the game ashard-nosed as they come. And loves it.“I’m basically going to be the short-yardage guy,”Shuey said, describing his role on the 2008 SouthMeck team.“(I’ll be playing) short-yardage to ‘power back’ –and every once in a while, they’re going to be slottingme out to wingback to give that extra push. I’llbe the base of the offense, as I like to think of it.”Throw in the fact that he doubles as the team’smiddle linebacker, and maybe the Sabres shouldhave a picture of Shuey on their helmets.“It’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t have it any otherway,” he said with a smile. “I love hitting.”Martin knows the importance of Shuey’s toughguyrole on the team.“It has to be his No. 1 priority,” Martin said whenasked about Shuey’s penchant for providing andreceiving hits.Martin obviously has noticed the fire Shuey playswith, and it reminds him of another guy who waswidely known for his toughness.“I think of Spencer a lot like (NFL Hall of Famefullback) John Riggins,” Martin said. “(Shuey)doesn’t care who’s in front of him; he wants to punishyou, whether he’s (a fullback) blocking you or alinebacker making a tackle. He only knows one gear,and that’s to hurt somebody.”College recruiters have noticed. Judging from thevolume of letters and visitors Shuey has received,there’s a good chance the senior could become theSabres’ first major-college football scholarship recipientin quite some time. The likes of the University ofKentucky, Marshall University and others have takenhigh interest in him.“This spring he got a lot (of recruiting attention),said Martin. “So many colleges were in here. Thissummer, (interest) has tapered off a little bit, but asthe season goes on, it’ll pick up. Kentucky’s offered,Western Carolina, Marshall and Duke have offered.”College coaches will be pleased with more thanhis on-the-field production, said Martin. For a guywho likes to beat opponents into submission withhis shoulder pads, he sure is nice.“He’s a ‘yes sir, no sir’ type,” Martin said of Shuey.“He likes to have fun in the locker room, but he doeswhat we ask in practice, and that’s what I like. Wecould ask him to be a water boy, and he’d do it. Weask him to play a different position becausewe need to get a look at something (anotherteam might be doing that week). He’s veryunselfish when it comes to being on the fieldfor us.”As big and intimidating as Shuey is, whenyou see a group of South Mecklenburg playersstanding together laughing, the fullback/linebacker usually is in the middle of it. Itseems he is approachable enough that theother guys gravitate toward him.“To be able to do what he can athletically,playing both sides of the ball, and to do itwith proficiency, I think that says a lot – andthe kids see that,” Martin said. “They lookup to him.”As much as he likes it, Shuey expects atleast a partial reduction in his Saturdaymorning bruising since Providence Day School transferLarry Kennedy joined the Sabres this season. Theteam has an intimidating backfield with Shuey, Kennedyand Tim Palmer.And more rushing threats means fewer players todefend Shuey.“Last year, no matter where I was or where theball was, I had someone out to get me,” Shuey saidwith a laugh. “I had one or two players out to get meevery single play, so I think that opens up a lot of therest of the field for our wingbacks. If (the defendersare) thinking (about) me every time, we can run thefly with Tim or Larry, and they’re off to the races.They can move. ““I think, as far as our backfield goes, we’re goingto be incredible,” said Shuey. “I don’t think anybodyin the (Southwestern 4A) conference or any otherteam we play will be able to stop us.“Period.” qOther Top Running Backsto Watch in 2008NameJoseph FeltsNyjee FlemingXavier JoplinLarry KennedyTy LintonMarkel MooreTim PalmerScoot SimmonsMichael StatonEric WilliamsSchoolCharlotte CatholicIndependenceNorth MecklenburgSouth MecklenburgCharlotte ChristianButlerSouth MecklenburgWest CharlotteVictory ChristianMyers Park22 Fall 2008 • Charlotte Weekly www.thecharlotteweekly.com