Prep Football: Next generation brings new mentality to Sandwich

As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words – and the Sandwich football team is ready to prove just how hard they’re working to fix the Indians’ recent struggles.

Sandwich has won a combined three games in two seasons under Chris Van Dyke, who returns in 2016 for his third campaign, but junior veteran lineman Zac Hix has already seen positive changes in the preseason.

“I loved the seniors last year, but they don’t have the same mentality that we do,” Hix said. “All of our guys are working hard out here and everyone has made a big improvement. Some of us sophomores were on the line last year and we’re just right back at it now. I think we’ve made big improvements.”

Van Dyke also sees the changes.

“We have a better knowledge now. They’re grasping everything that we’re asking them to do,” Van Dyke said. “They’re a lot more physical than we have in the past two years in practice, so we’ll see if that pays off.”

Sandwich returns four offensive starters and three on the defensive side from a squad that finished 2-7 last fall.

The offense will once again be under the direction of senior quarterback Justin Satori, with Joe Wiggins adding depth in that position. Sartori finished with 1,430 yards passing and 15 touchdowns as a junior.

Zach Bosek, the lone returning All-Conference player, will continue to be a threat out of the backfield for the Indians, while Satori also has the option to look for several receivers downfield, including Jake Roop and newcomers Dylan Francicy, Sam Brunoehler and Evan Taxis.

“It’s definitely good to have a year of experience and starting last year,” Satori said. “We didn’t have many seniors last year, so we have a lot of guys back with experience already. That’s definitely going to be big. We worked really hard over the summer, but we still have work to do. We play in a tough conference, so nothing is going to be easy.”

Hix, Derek Murphy and Jon Sternberg bring experience to both the offensive and defensive line. Zach Reyes will anchor the linebacker corps with Davis, Wiggins, Seth Randa, James Schweinberg and JJ Davis while Bosek leads a talented secondary unit that includes Josh Beyer, Francicy and Taxis.

“Defensive-wise, we’ve got good speed on the ends and our middles are just big guys, which is what you’ve got to do,” Hix said. “On the offensive line, we’re big and strong. We scrapped the Wing-T; that was more about 4 yards and a cloud of dust. The spread is more about getting the ball upfield no matter the cost.”

Sandwich will meet Lisle for the first time since 2013, hosting the Lions in the season opener on Aug. 26. The Indians went 1-4 in the I-8 Large Division last year with a win over Streator. The non-conference schedule continues with a trip to Richmond-Burton – a team that went 9-2 in 2015 and features Arkansas recruit and offensive tackle Dalton Wagner.

“I’m excited to see where we’re at and how we’re doing right off the bat,” Davis said. “Right now it’s all about conditioning and speed.”

I-8 Large Division play opens on Sept. 9 with a home game against Manteno, and the Indians will certainly have the following week circled on their calendar when Sandwich travels to Plano. Sandwich closes out the schedule with I-8 Small Division crossover games against Wilmington and Seneca.

“The schedule doesn’t get any easier. We play in a tough conference and we have a tough non-conference schedule,” Van Dyke said. “Lisle is coming off one of their better years last year and have some guys coming back, so I’m sure they’re in the same situation preparing to beat us just like we’re preparing to beat them. It’ll be a good first challenge right out of the gate and a good measuring stick.”

After qualiying for the playoffs five times in six years between 2008 and 2013, the Indians are ready to return to their winning ways.

“People are sick and tired of losing and not being in the playoffs,” Bosek said. “It’s really clicked; we want to make the playoffs and make this year a good year.”