The Sewanhaka Indians football team will rely on senior running back De’Ante Gonzalez to balance out the offensive attack this year.
Indians head coach George Kasimatis said that the Indians were a pass first team last season, but wants to be balanced this year. That will fall on the shoulders of his captain.
“I’m honored that coach would rely upon me,” said Gonzalez. “I’m up for the challenge.”
Gonzalez is one of four captains for Kasimatis and the Indians. He is not only the starting running back, but he plays outside linebacker as well. The senior does not have a preference of what position he plays; he just wants to help his team win.
“Just to go out there, give it one hundred percent and make it as far as we can go,” said Gonzalez. “The sky’s the limit for this team.”
Kasimatis not only trusts Gonzalez on the field but he trusts him to be a leader off the field as well.
“The younger players won’t come to me because they are not comfortable. They only talk to me about football,” said Kasimatis. He trusts Gonzalez, as well as his other captains, to talk to their teammates about any issues. Kasimatis meets with Gonzalez and the captains every day.
On the field Kasimatis has just as much trust in Gonzalez.
“He is more of the rock. He gets the tough yards for us, he’s a really good back,” Kasimatis said.
It is easy to see the connection these two have built over the four years Gonzalez has spent in the program. Gonzalez walked into the coach’s office carrying equipment and the two instantly shared a laugh. Kasimatis said he will be lost next season without his four captains when they graduate.
Gonzalez has been playing football since he was 6 years old. While he played different positions throughout his life, he always remained a running back. He is not concerned with individual performances, but more with the team’s performance and winning games.
Gonzalez’s greatest memory of his four years in the program is when the team pulled together and had an upset victory when he was a sophomore on junior varsity.
“We really pulled together and got a big win against Plainedge who’s a perennial powerhouse. It was really special for us and we were really hyped,” he said.
Gonzalez is the ultimate team player and will do anything to help get his team the win, according to his head coach. Gonzalez believes this is the best Indians team he has played on in his four years in the program.
“We are close as can be and are there working hard every day,” he said. “We are gonna try to do what we do.”
