Young Dakota Indians could make more strides this year and contend for a playoff spot

DAKOTA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Dakota Indians are entering their second season with Eric Didesch as their head coach. They’re hoping to leap back into the playoffs this year after missing out last year.

It was just before the season opened last year that Didesch was thrust in as the head coach of the Indians. He has his own ideas, his own schemes. It took some time for things to be put into place for the kids to grasp them. That’s all out of the way now.

“We’re a long way from where we were last year,” said Didesch. I would say that we’re light years from where we were last year and getting the young kids who bought into our offseason program, they’re up-to-speed on everything that they need to do.”

The Indians went 3-6 last year, but they were better than that record indicates. They gave Forreston and Stockton all they could handle before losing those two games, otherwise Dakota would have made the playoffs. That’s what the Indians are thinking this year.

“That’s kind of our goal this year to get back to the playoffs, get where we need to be,” said Didesch.

“We definitely have the potential to be a playoff team, but the low numbers, it’s going to hurt a lot, but we have the people to be a playoff team,” said senior tight end and defensive end Braxton Niedermeier.

The Indians have only 26 varsity players and only four of them are seniors, but the guys they have are more than capable of getting the job done. There’s Niedermeier who will present a big target at tight end while also putting pressure on opposing offenses at defensive end.

Second team All-NUIC center Avery Bowers is back. 280-pound Randy McPeek will play on both lines. Senior Ethan Jacobs will also be a key player on both lines.

The Gordon twins Jayden and Bennie are back for their junior seasons. Bennie is athletic and fast. Jayden has that bowling ball-type frame that will make him a load at tailback and at linebacker.

“They’re both great guys to have on both sides of the ball,” said Didesch.

Two players will see action at quarterback. Sophomore Drake Davis is more of the strong-armed sling it-type QB. Junior Brodie Goode is more of an option threat with his legs and quickness, but he also has a good arm.

Didesch knows his team will need to be able to run the ball, especially toward the end of the year when the weather starts to deteriorate, but at the same time the Indians will spread things out and give opponents a lot of looks. It could be the most diverse offense in the conference.

“It’s really electric,” said Jayden Gordon. “We’ve got our athletes in open space and making the plays. It’s a lot different than Forreston and Lena where they just run, run, run up the gut. We really spread everyone out and get downfield.”

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