Dan Ando wasn’t expecting to rush for 180 yards in his first game this season. He was hoping to play well, but a guy never knows.
“First game, I knew coach would give me a couple carries,” Ando said.
But he prepared, just in case. He’s practiced hard all summer, he’s been eating well, and on the day of the game, he went home to rest, saving up all his strength for that night.
“I was ready for anything,” he said.
The preparation paid off. Ando was a key component in the Panther’s 29-17 win over Righetti High School on Sept. 5.
“We’re expecting big things out of him this year,” said Pioneer Valley football head coach Greg Dickinson.
The junior tailback is playing his second year on varsity, and he has great balance and speed, Dickinson said.
Ando’s greatest asset, Dickinson said, is his acceleration. Ando can reach his top speed in 15 yards, whereas it might take another player twice that long.
Ando said that he’s looking forward to using his speed against the Panthers’ rival, the St. Joseph High School Knights. The two schools have a rivalry on the football field. Why?
“They’re St. Joe’s and we’re Pioneer,” Ando said.
Last year, when the two teams went head to head, St. Joseph walked away victorious. This season, the two teams won’t meet on the field until Oct. 24. Ando plans to be ready.
“We’re strong, and we’re quick,” he said.
This article appears in Sep 11-18, 2008.