Pittsfield Saukees Pigskin Preview

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Pittsfield Saukees
 

COACH:  Curt Simonson (77-53, 14th season)

2014 RECORD:  2-7 (1-7 Sangamo)

POSTSEASON:  No Playoffs

TOP RETURNEES:  OL/DL Cody Hayden (6’2”, 305), QB Quinn Leahy (6’, 170), Cody Allred (6’, 160), RB Brenton Noble (5’10”, 170), RB Jesse Drone (6’, 165)

BIG LOSSES:  Laken Labby, Dustin Wintjen, Austin Priest, Korbyn Cox, Caleb Wilson

WHAT THE SAUKEES DO WELL:  With 17 seniors that started at one point or another during the 2014 campaign, the Saukees are hoping they can do a lot of things well.  “We have some good kids coming back that worked hard in the offseason," Simonson says.  “They will do anything you ask of them on the field and off the field.  That’s a luxury most people don’t have." Coach Simonson says most of the work this summer has focused on the offense, and having guys that have run his system helps.  “They know what to expect.  It’s not having to put everything in like last year.  It’s easier."

PITTSFIELD QUESTION MARKS:  Last year the Saukees had trouble moving the football.  That seems to be the first hurdle they’re looking to jump.  “We didn’t block well," Simonson states.  “We struggled running the ball, we struggled with pass blocking.  That’s something that has to be refined."  Laken Labby is gone, so a huge chunk of the offensive responsibilities will fall to returning quarterback Quinn Leahy and running backs Brenton Noble and Jesse Drone.  “We have more flexibility across the board.  Offensively and defensively."

WORTH NOTING:  The Saukees had an experienced and well known coaching staff alongside Simonson last year, but only one was a staff member.  That’s changed.  Dustin Seacrest comes over from Illini West and will coach the offensive and defensive line, while Adam Brockhouse will work with the offensive skill positions.  He won a state championship as a player at Triopia.  Both will teach in the system.  “Our goal was to rebuild the program," Simonson continues.  “We wanted to change the direction, change the expectation.  We’re taking our expectations and putting them into the elementary school and then to the middle school and so on.  Not just athletically, but academically."

COACH SIMONSON SAYS:  “This year we’ll be highly competitive because we have kids with the ability to play and that want to play,"  Simonson says.  “We want to get back to the playoffs.  We felt we were three plays from going 5-4 last year.  Sometimes kids don’t see that.  We have to stop thinking about what to do and just react.  We have to push that over the top."