2006 Andrean HS Football Preview:  Repay returns with experienced offense, LAC title & play-off run possible 

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith
8-16-2006

2006 Class 3A ANDREAN  football preview
Head Coach:  Brett St. Germain
Years as Head Coach: (33-5, 3 years) 8-2 in 2005
High School Attended:  Merrillville
College Attended:  Indiana University
Assistants: Kevin Doyle, Steve Wachowski, Jeff Hadt, Rusty Setzer, Rod Wartman, Colin Chelovich and Phil Mason
Freshman coach: Kyle Roach
Trainer: Matthew Drake
Offensive Scheme: Multiple I
Defensive Scheme:  4-4
School Address:  5959 Broadway, Merrillville
Athletic Director: Bill Mueller
Sectional titles (10) last in 2004
Regional title (5) last in 2004
Semistate titles (4) last in 2004
State titles (1) 2004

RETURNING STARTERS
OFFENSE (8) George Dravet (WR), Kellen Mackin (FB) Ron
Burton (WR), Chandler Bowens (HB) Bobby Puchalski (TE) Dan Kristoff (C) Nick
McGarel (OG) and Jesse Repay (QB).
DEFENSE (5) Matt Ryan (LB), Bobby Puchalski (LB) Lamont Taylor (DE), Erik
Leggero (DE) and Kellen Mackin (DE).

Jesse Repay (QB) 122-175, 1,377 yards, 12 TDs, 8 interceptions,  98 rushes, 539 yards, 7 TDs
Ron Burton (WR) 36 catches, 434 yards, 2 TDs
George Dravet (WR) 16 catches, 198 yards, 2 TDs
Chandler Bowens (HB) 68 carries, 341 yards, 3 TDs
Bobby Puchalski (TE) 7 catches, 107 yards
Matt Ryan (LB) 63 tackles, 2 interceptions
Bobby Puchalski (LB) 49 tackles, 2 QB sacks
Kellen Mackin (DE) 36 tackles, 4 QB sacks
Eric Leggero (DE) 12 tackles
Lamont Taylor (DT-DE) 11 tackles, 1 QB sack

Click Here for 2006 Andrean 59ers Schedule

OUTLOOK

MERRILLVILLE (8-16-2006) - There's no way Andrean won't continue to win in the Lake Athletic Conference (LAC) this year.  QB Jesse Repay (5-11, 170) and running back Chandler Bowens (5-7, 150) should do especially well, and fullback Kellen Mackin (6-2, 235) might surprise people.

Dan Kristoff (6-0, 240) returns at center to anchor the offensive line, which is the key to this team, because all the skill position players are in place.  I think you give Repay a lot of run-pass options and put the team on his back.  I think he might even welcome that.  I'm saying have him throw 15-20 passes and run 15-20 times every game.  This isn't thrilling football, but it could allow the 59ers a mistake free, clock-eating attack against the high powered offenses of the LAC.

Defensively Matt Ryan (6-0, 195) returns at linebacker with Mackin (6-2, 235) up front, but big tackle Eddie Reardon (5-11, 275) probably won't play his senior season because of a shoulder injury and he will be missed.

Andrean's offense is going to have to walk a fine line between quick striking and ball control.  They can beat themselves by playing too much of an aerial game, no matter how successful Repay and receivers like Burton (6-2, 175) and a young hopeful named Kyle Kovach (5-7, 160) turn out.  The 59ers can't leave the defense on the field very much, because the perimeter defenders are not experienced enough to shut down high-octane offenses like Chesterton and Morton early in the season.

With five home games, the 59ers are, barring another major injury, looking at something like a 7-2 regular season.

If the 59ers go 5-0 in September and that's very possible,  they could win one out of two from Griffith and be playing Northwood in the semistate in mid-November.  The 59ers and Hobart are the only LAC black contenders who have returning QBs in 2006 and that does matter.  Injuries will hurt this squad more than it will someone like Griffith, but this should be a strong offensive team with defensive potential.

Projected 2006 regular season record: 7-2

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Revised: August 16, 2006 .