Jeff Sanders Weekly Journal

IU-bound tight end Jeff Sanders talks about his team's preparation for Saturday's quarterfinal matchup with Kankakee Bishop MacNamara, and his team's hopes of winning the state championship.

Dear Hoosier Nation,

After an exciting day of football and fun, it is kind of relaxing to be sitting down at my computer and recalling the past days and weeks. It is a phenomenal season and I am enjoying it to the hilt! Yet, once again, the past week has been one of preparation and perspiration.

On Monday, we came in early to watch films as we did every day this week. That afternoon we watched our game film from last Saturday against the Potters. The coaches made sure we knew that we didn’t play as perfectly as we thought! Then we lifted, ran, and had a short practice. Tuesday through Thursday were just like any other week but today, Friday, was great!

To start off the day, at ten o’clock, we went to mass as a team as we do every week. Then, after helping my mom with some yard work in the afternoon, we came in for films at two o’clock. The team went through our normal walk-thrus and had dinner provided by one the great members of Cyclone Nation! Later on that night, after brownies at Coach Sowinski’s and Matt’s traditional “Dear Patricia” letter, we had lock-in. Tonight, rather than watching a movie from Blockbuster, Coach Leonard brought the highlight film of the 1995 team. After watching some of the greatest players ever to put on the gold hat, we were motivated to finish the business that they started.

Our first step toward that goal is to beat Bishop MacNamara tomorrow (Sacred Heart Griffin won, 34-28, to advance to the semifinals of the state playoffs). They can run the ball fairly well. Despite this fact, I believe that our defense is up to the challenge and is ready to put the doubt out of everyone’s mind about their ability to defend.

MacNamara defeated two conference teams in their first two rounds of the playoffs. So we believe that it is time to step up and defend our conference and our run at the state championship.

Wish me luck!

GO HOOSIERS!

Jeff Sanders