Indians ‘family’ goal: build winning culture

It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Sandwich last season, to say the least.

The Indians and now second-year head coach Kris Cassie are hoping for a less bumpy and more steady experience in 2019.

Sandwich opened the last fall with three straight wins (the best start for the program since 2011), but then lost five consecutive times before picking up a win in its season finale to finish 4-5 (1-3 in the Interstate Eight Conference Large). The Indians open the season at home tomorrow against Chicago Hope Academy, and after traveling to Harvard in Week 2 will look to make their impact in the "new-look" I-8 this year, beginning with a visit to La Salle-Peru.

Sandwich, which has a roster of 36 — including 12 seniors and 10 juniors, lost starting quarterback Mike Frieders and standout running back Dylan Baumbach to graduation, but Cassie feels his club is even more in tune to the wing-T offense he implemented a season ago.

"I love this team's attitude. I mean they come out here every day in practice and they want to work," said Cassie, who admits because of a small roster he'll have nine or 10 guys playing both ways. "They aren't afraid of the new conference we are in this season, and they come out here with a positive attitude each and every day. They want to be successful. All of that put together makes it fun for us coaches.

"We have come out since Day 1 and haven't missed a beat from the summer. It was a very smooth transition this year."

Barking out the signals will be senior quarterback Jack Theurer — who Cassie says "will run the ball" — with younger brother Drew as his backup. The running attack figures to be led by senior fullback Nicolas Lidinsky, the leading returning rusher (67 carries, 260 yards, five touchdowns) from 2018. Complementing Lidinsky will be classmate wingback Jackson Murphy and junior James Coleman, while 11th-graders Evan Wilson and Ryan Dabbert will also see carries.

The tight end spot will rotate between seniors Jack Pehlke and Nico Migliorini, plus junior Cole Masert. On the offensive line will be a returning starter at center senior, Cole Frieders; senior Gerrit Decker and junior Sawyer Allen at guards; and seniors Braden Mansur, Jacob Mosher and Max Coldwate at the tackles.

The Indians' 4-2-5 defense will boast Mansur, Decker, Coldwate and Allen up front; Migliorini and Murphy at inside linebackers; Jack Theurer and Wilson on the outside; Lidinsky and Drew Theurer on the corners; and Coleman at safety.

"Last year was the first year we put (the 4-2-5) in, and the kids are looking better running it this year," said Cassie. "I'm more confident in it and the kids are as well. They are playing faster, communicating on the field. ... It shows me they are understanding the concepts of the defense better."

Murphy will handle the kicking duties, while who will fill the spot at punter is still to be determined.

Cassie said how he would determine a successful season for this year's Indians crew will be more than just what the score is at the end of games and what the numbers say when the final standings are registered.

"It really comes down to developing these young men. I'm very proud that we have three guys from last season now playing at the college level, and we have three or four more on these year's team that have plans on doing that as well," Cassie said. "I've always felt a (win/loss) record is going to take care of itself, and I feel the most important thing is building a solid football culture.

"For me a successful season is one that we come through it healthy, we win some football games and continue to build the family."

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SCHEDULE

8/30 HOPE ACADEMY 7 p.m.

9/6 at Harvard 7 p.m.

9/13 at La Salle-Peru 7:15 p.m.

9/20 KANELAND 7 p.m.

9/27 SYCAMORE 7 p.m.

10/4 ROCHELLE 7 p.m.

10/11 at Plano 7 p.m.

10/18 OTTAWA 7 p.m.

10/25 at Morris 7 p.m.

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ROSTER

No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. Pos.

1 Mason Blanchard 6-0 145 Sr. TE/LB

2 Trace Hayes 5-7 155 Sr. RB/DB

3 Ryan Dabbert 5-8 155 Jr. RB/DB

4 Austin Sinetos 6-0 140 So. QB/DB

5 Jack Theurer 6-1 175 Sr. QB/LB

9 Braulio Flores 5-10 135 So. RB/LB

10 James Coleman 6-1 170 Jr. RB/DB

12 Drew Theurer 6-0 170 Jr. QB/DB

20 Christian Sommers 5-8 120 So. QB/DB

21 Evan Wilson 6-0 160 Jr. RB/LB

22 Nicolas Lidinsky 5-7 155 Sr. RB/DB

24 Cole Mansur 6-5 170 Jr. TE/DB

26 Cainan Haick 5-4 140 So. RB/DB

32 Nico Migliorini 5-8 210 Sr. TE/LB

33 Dominic Cosentino 5-8 171 So. TE/DL

34 Jackson Murphy 6-1 180 Sr. RB/LB

40 Johnny Rizzuto 5-11 145 So. TE/LB

45 Joey Rizzuto 5-8 130 So. RB/DB

50 Gerrit Decker 5-8 230 Sr. OL/DL

51 Damien Daniels 5-4 156 So. OL/DL

52 Chase Hologa 5-11 205 So. OL/DL

55 Nic Gray 5-4 160 Jr. OL/DL

59 Casey Olson 6-0 200 So. OL/DL

60 Braden Mansur 5-10 230 Sr. OL/DL

62 Cole Frieders 5-11 240 Sr. OL/DL

65 A.J. Tindall 5-6 150 Sr. OL/LB

67 Kaiden Gustafson 6-0 180 So. OL/LB

68 Sawyer Allen 6-3 230 Jr. OL/DL

70 Logan Nelson 6-2 220 Jr. OL/DL

72 Sam Dale 5-7 150 So. OL/LB

73 Adam Obradovic 6-2 180 So. OL/DL

75 Max Coldwate 5-10 220 Jr. OL/DL

76 Jacob Mosher 5-11 290 Sr. OL/DL

78 Connor Holly 5-8 200 So. OL/DL

80 Jacob Heilemeier 6-2 180 Jr. TE/LB

85 Jack Pehlke 6-2 210 Sr. TE/DL

Head coach: Kris Cassie (2nd year)

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CONFERENCE HISTORY

The Indians have been part of four football conferences during their 118-year history — the Fox Valley, Northeast, Big Eight and Interstate Eight..

Fox Valley Conference (1940-1965)

Championships: 1948, 1949, 1951, 1957, 1964

Northeast Conference (1966-1975)

Championships: none

Big Eight Conference (1980-1984)

Championships: none

Interstate Eight Conference (1985-present)

Championships: 1985, 2010, 2012

— Bill Lidinsky & Brian Hoxsey