Anderson, Crotty spark Sandwich to victory

Updated: September 17, 2011 12:16AM

Jeremy Anderson envisioned his sack and forced fumble. The senior captain, who plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage, was just doing what his coaches tell him to do.

Anderson’s sack of Peotone quarterback Nick Ahlborn jarred the ball loose, and Anderson pounced on the leather with 1:23 left in the second quarter. Converting the turnover into seven points as the first half expired to give the Indians a 28-14 lead.

Anderson’s play fueled the Indians to a 48-26 Interstate Eight Large victory and kept Sandwich unbeaten at 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the league.

“We needed a big play to turn the game because we definitely did not have momentum on our side,” Anderson said. “I saw the opportunity to make a big play so I went for it. Fly around the field is what our coaches tell us to do everyday.”

Anderson came from the far defensive end position and locked in his target, who was rolling out away from Anderson. Lowering the boom, Anderson gave the Indians another chance at scoring before the intermission.

Marching 53 yards on eight plays in less than one and a half minutes, the Indians seized control. P.J. Crotty, who collected 203 yards on 26 rushes, capped the drive with a two-yard plunge. Danny Bryski recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, and the Indians cashed in again.

After a muffed exchange in the backfield, the ball ended up in the endzone and Crotty was there to grab it for a 35-14 advantage. The Indians converted three Blue Devil fumbles into touchdowns.

Sandwich amassed 457 yards on the ground. The Indians boast an athletic offensive line of Anderson, Logan Lee, Jason Mealer, Jake Fiedler and Danny Perez.

“It’s great running behind them,” Crotty said. “Every hole was open tonight. I can’t say enough about the offensive line. They’re our core. We trust them to do a great job.”

Opening the game with a flash and a bang, Seth McDonald went 82 yards untouched yards on the first play from scrimmage. Peotone (2-2, 0-2) answered with a 16-play drive to knot the game, but a fumble deep in its own territory proved costly.

Derrick Risley gathered the loose ball then directed his team 25 yards on four plays. McDonald scampered the final ten yards for a 14-7 edge at the 6:28 mark of the second quarter.

Peotone tied the game on the ensuing kickoff when Ben Alexa jetted 89 yards. Alexa added an 85 yard kickoff return for a score early in the third quarter, but the Indians rushing attack was too much for the Blue Devils.

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