This is the deepest, most experienced team Andrean coach Chris Skinner has fielded in three years.

Can the 59ers — who finished 8-4 last season and are ranked No. 3 in the preseason by the Post-Tribune — deliver?

Evan Satoski, a senior defensive end, believes they will.

Satoski is one of three players on defense who has started on the varsity for three years. The other two are are senior linebackers Cameron Williams and River Walsh.

The 59ers defense made big plays last season, finishing with 41 sacks and 14 interceptions.

Expectations are elevated for a program with two state championships.

“I think we have a chance at winning the Northwest Crossroads Conference,” Satoski said. “We have a lot of defensive starters back. We are more prepared this year, not only physically but in leadership aspects.”

Skinner said, “With those three-year starters back, we’ve been building to what it is now.”

Williams is the most recruited football player in Northwest Indiana. The 6-foot-3 linebacker also is a two-time state qualifier in the 110-meter high hurdles.

Last season, Williams totaled 65 tackles, 20 tackles for losses, 15 sacks, four pass deflections, one fumble recovery and a blocked punt. He has offers from numerous schools, including Purdue, Indiana and Kentucky.

Williams’ presence draws opponents’ attention and opens lanes for others. Satoski had 53 tackles and three sacks in 2017, while Walsh added eight sacks and two blocked punts.

“Teams definitely scheme around Cam,” Satoski said. “That frees up other guys to make plays.”

The most pressing issue on offense is finding a replacement for graduated running back Teely Rhyne, who rushed for 1,208 yards last season.

Skinner said three players are in the mix to be the featured back: sophomore Ryan Walsh (298 yards), senior Andrew Benton (195 yards) and senior Eric Hamilton, the latter of whom also plays defensive back.

Senior Zack Merrill, who passed for 1,344 yards and ran for 308 yards last year, returns at quarterback.

Skinner believes the 59ers, who had problems scoring at times in 2017, will be better in that department. That’s because three starting linemen return in Adam Warren, Ben Urchell and Jackson Bellich.

Williams will be rotated in as a receiver and Satoski will play tight end.

Skinner said that the biggest contribution Williams can make for the team would be on offense. His straightaway speed gives him an advantage.

“We want to ask him to do a lot more on offense,” Skinner said.

Expect to see a more bruising Andrean offense.

According to Satoski, the team will use more two tight-end sets and emphasize pounding the ball.

“We’ve changed our offensive scheme,” he said. “We are going to push the running game. We’ll got a lot harder there.”

mhutton@post-trib.com

Twitter @MikeHuttonPT