Tiger Bounce Back - Shaun Schindler

Two years ago was one of the worst seasons in a long time for the Hutchinson Tigers football program. They failed to have a winning season for the first time in years. This season the Hutch tradition got back into full swing. Part of the reason for the quick turnaround was the play of Shaun Schindler.

"Last year we had a losing season for the first time in like forty years," said Schindler. "This year we bounced back and went 8-0, won the conference and ended up playing in the section championship against Mankato West."

Offensively the Tigers had great balance. When the offensive line was really clicking they could run and pass with equal effectiveness. Defensively speed was their greatest asset, especially in the front seven.

Offensively, Schindler would usually line up at tight end, but in some formations he would line up in the backfield or even as a receiver. The offense was as versatile as its tight end going from a single back formation one play to an old school wishbone formation the next.

"At tight end I did a lot of blocking, just helping out the offensive line," said the junior. "Defensively I had ten sacks, 65 tackles and about twenty tackles for loss."

They ran a 3-4 defense with Schindler typically lining up on the outside either on the strong side of the formation or on the field side.

"On offense (my strength) is blocking people," added next season's captain. "I like to get after people. My hands are pretty good. I feel confident catching it and doing something with the ball. On defense I have some speed and a quick first step. I can get to the quarterback and cause some problems for the offense."

This was his second year as a two way starter. At every level Schindler has played up a level. As an eighth grader he played with the ninth grade and as a ninth grader he suited on varsity and started one game at tight end.

Although he is only 6'3" this winter he is starting at center and has already recorded a double double. He uses his strength and jumping ability to make up for his lack of height. This spring he will be a sprinter on the track team. He will be attempting to add his third All-Conference honor as a junior.

When his focus turns back to football Schindler has picked a couple of skills to focus on.

"I just need to work on technique. My footwork and being able to keep outside contain better and keep my outside shoulder free."

His team bounced back this season, but Schindler had to bounce back from his own issues in junior high. Because of it, this offseason, Schindler feels he needs to play some catch up in one area.

"I am going to concentrate on my legs. When I was younger I had some knee problems so I would work my upper body extremely hard. I had Osgood Slaughter disease. I grew too fast when I was younger so my knee tendon came off and just made my knee really weak."

With his knee problems behind him, he will continue to strengthen his lower body as well as looking to attend some camps this summer. He went to a Minnesota camp last summer and hopes to at least attend that camp again this year.

Schindler has had some early recruiting interest from Minnesota, Missouri, Mankato State and St. Johns.