ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — A slew of injuries derailed Hononegah’s football season last year before it even had a chance to get going. The Indians still made the playoffs. A healthy roster this year could find the Indians challenging for the NIC-10 championship.
Hononegah head coach Brian Zimmerman would just as soon forget about last season and all the injuries this team endured.
“It’s something that we’re going to put in the rearview mirror, and so far, so good, we’re healthy this season.”
One player they missed last year because of a shoulder injury was running back and linebacker Brody Sendele. He was able to wrestle last winter after football season. He won a state championship. Now he’s back on the football field.
“I really missed football. I enjoy football a lot, hanging out with my buddies. Wrestling is really a one-person sport, all about yourself. I love football.”
“He gets after it, said Zimmerman. “Anytime we can get wrestlers in the football program, I love it.”
The Indians have also welcomed aboard a pair of transfers from Boylan, huge lineman Caleb Collins and quarterback Dominic Cacciatore.
Zimmerman says Cacciatore has had a smooth transition. “He’s done a really nice job of adapting to our offense, what we like to run. He’s got a good rapport with his teammates.”
Hononegah offensive lineman Richard Gambini has been impressed with Cacciatore’s dedication to grasping Hononegah’s offense. “His dad (John) was obviously the Boylan head coach. He (John) had him (Dominic) have all the flashcards out for our plays studying them all, and he knew them all before we even got to training camp. I think he looks great.”
Cacciatore should have one of the most reliable and productive receivers in the NIC-10 to throw to in 6-4 Caleb Parker-Lones. He showed flashes of what he can do last season.
“Last season Caleb did a great job of getting his first downs,” said Zimmerman. “Any time we need a first down, it seemed like the ball went to him.”
Ryan Fritsch was one of the top sprinters in the conference in track last spring. He’ll play the slot receiver. Giovanni Zepeda and tight end Logan Wilson are also proven pass catchers.
Sendele will play some running back along with Emerson Tuula.
Up front the Indians return starting center Tim Caver, starting right tackle Richard Gambini and starting right guard Wyatt Kinney.
Some of the defensive stalwarts will be Logan Wilson off the edge at end, Tristen Ginn at tackle, and Chase Timmerman at defensive end. Sendele and Tuula at linebacker, and Fritsch and Jacob Duval in the defensive secondary.
“I think the defense is pretty strong right now from what I’ve seen in practice,” said Sendele. “I think we’re going to be a pretty good defense.”
Keep up with Hononegah and all high school football in the 815 this season with ‘Overtime’ Friday nights on FOX 39 in Rockford and also available on all of our digital media.
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