FRANCONIA — In Souderton football’s Wing-T offense, Danny Dyches knows an important skill for a wide receiver is always being prepared to make a play.
“We have a run offense, so when the opportunity comes you got be ready,” Dyches said. “You got to be selfless, you got block for people and you just got to be ready.”
When Dyches got his hands on the ball for the Indians last season, he was a difference-maker, earning All-Suburban One League Continental Conference first team honors as he hauled in 40 receptions for 646 yards and five touchdowns.
The senior has continued to develop his skills as a receiver to make sure the Indians contend for the conference crown and make the District 1-6A playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.
“Just running full speed, not letting linebackers and safeties break me off my routes, just little stuff like that, little tweaks,” Dyches said. “So I can just put it all together my senior year and just have the best year I can.”
Dyches helped the Indians win seven of their first eight games in 2022, Souderton shutting out Central Bucks South 10-0 in the first round of districts before falling to Perkiomen Valley 27-14 in the quarters to finish the season 9-3.
The nine victories matched a program-best under head coach Ed Gallagher — Big Red last reaching that win total in 2007.
“I’m really pleased with the group that we have back this year,” said Gallagher, entering his 21st season at Souderton. “We’ve been in a really nice run, as you said, for four years now, four straight years in the playoffs, a district championship in there, another playoff win last year. So I think the kids have the confidence that they can compete at that level and I think we really want to get back to winning our league championship as well.”
The Indians have talent and experience up front on both sides of the ball. Offensively, seniors Ben McMakin (first team) and Kahlil Williams (second) earned all-conference honors at o-line while senior Aaron Miller returns at center.
“We’re definitely a young team in the skill position department so having that rock per se is pretty important to give everyone confidence going into the game,” said McMakin of having a veteran line. “Knowing, hey even if we mess up our line is still good, we can still run the ball pretty efficiently.”
Senior Ryan Sadowski, who ran for 330 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries last season, should be a key factor in an offense that put up 25.9 points per game.
“Danny’s electric, Ryan’s talented, those two are proven commodities but the other guys are all the ones we got to find out what they could do,” Gallagher said. “We have other receivers and backs that really could be special.”
At quarterback, sophomore Ben Walsh takes over for the graduated Jared Zimmerman, an All-SOL Continental second-team pick now at Lycoming.
“Ben’s only a sophomore but he throws the ball really well and he’s a smart kid, he’ll do a good job at quarterback,” said Gallagher of Walsh. “There might be some growing pains cause he’s a sophomore but he’s going to be a really good quarterback — hopefully sooner than later.”
Souderton’s defense will try to remain as stout as the last year’s unit that posted three shutouts and held opponents to 15.3 points per game.
“We’re violent guys up front,” Williams said. “Our d-ends, we get gritty, we got speed, we got strong, we got power and the inside guys they just get to work.”
Williams (defensive end) and senior Aiden Elliott (defensive line) were both all-conference first team picks while classmate Joe Nase earned All-SOL Continental first team honors at d-end in 2021.
“Our defensive line should be outstanding just looking at what we have,” Gallagher said. “We have three kids that have had first team all-league recognition returning — Joey Nase was two years ago but still have three returning.
“And then Evan Zettle had a great offseason and got to play a lot with Joey Nase hurt last year so to me we have four to six guys up front that have varsity experience that should be really on the defensive line.”
Dyches was all-conference second team selection at defensive back. The Indians are looking for players to step up at linebacker having lost junior Jayden Bergey to an ACL injury.
Souderton starts the season hosting Central League side Haverford before a pair of crossover games against SOL National sides — the Indians are at Pennridge Week 3 then home against Central Bucks East, which topped Big Red 30-13 last year.
Souderton’s other regular-season loss in 2022 came against Upper Dublin, the Cardinals rolling 34-3. The Indians host the defending SOL Continental and District 1-5A champs in Week 9.
“We had a really good team two years ago and then Quakertown (won the Continental in 2021) and then Upper Dublin (won in 2022), it’s just been kind of a cycle so we’re hoping this is our year again,” Gallagher said. “But again I’m sure they’re both thinking the same thing about their groups cause they’re both really good football teams as well and good programs.
“I’m anxious to compete for the league title and then get back to districts. I feel like this is definitely a district-caliber team but obviously you need things to come together.”
