Sandwich’s 195-pound QB powers gritty 29-20 playoff win
The Indians’ smallest offensive starter used a running-heavy style to upset the fourth seed and reach the second round for the fourth time in school history.
By Sakura Ellis ·
Cash White is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 195 pounds. He is one of the smallest players on the Sandwich Indians starting offense, yet he led the team to a 29-20 victory over fourth-seeded Durand-Pecatonica on Saturday in a Class 3A first-round playoff game.
White did not rely on his arm to win the game. He completed 3 of 5 passes for 51 yards, a modest output for a quarterback. Instead, he used his body. He scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter. He then converted a two-point play late in the same period, putting Sandwich ahead by two scores.
White also plays starting linebacker for the Indians. That dual role explains his willingness to engage with defenders. Running back Wyatt Gregory noted that most quarterbacks avoid contact, but White seeks it out. White said he was ready to go because defenders had not stopped him often during the day. He added that he knew he was not going to be denied.
Indians coach Jason VanPelt said the team builds its culture around hard-nosed football from the youth program up. The staff works hard to develop a system that translates into wins in November. White fits this mold perfectly as a run-first quarterback who also serves as an energy leader for the team. VanPelt said the captains led the program with heart, and the rest of the team followed. White told teammates before their first series that they had not been seen yet. He told the defense before a key stop that it was their drive to make it happen.
The win advanced Sandwich to the second round, making them the fourth team in school history to reach that stage. White said the team wants the next win immediately. He noted that they do not know their opponent yet but will practice hard. Sandwich will travel to Chicago to face 12th-seeded Hope Academy at Altgeld Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.
In a separate Class 7A matchup, undefeated Hersey defeated Yorkville 49-7. Hersey quarterback Jake Nawrot passed for 369 yards and four touchdowns. Yorkville scored once on a 45-yard pass. In Class 8A, undefeated Huntley beat Oswego East 48-17. Oswego East running back Chase Hojnacki ran 31 times for 229 yards and four touchdowns in the loss.
Oswego advanced to the second round after beating Naperville Central 27-6 last week. Running back Ammar Banire returned from a foot injury to run for 118 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Fullback Luke Hernandez added two touchdowns, including a 10-yard run and a 24-yard reception. Coach Brian Cooney called Hernandez a Swiss Army knife who plays on special teams and at defensive end. The Panthers will face Naperville North this week, with all four backs expected to get carries.
