SEASON PREVIEW: Williamsville set sights on third-straight Sangamo Conference title

WILLIAMSVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — The Williamsville Bullets are preparing for another run at the Sangamo Conference title, with the program looking to claim its third consecutive conference championship.

The Bullets have gone 40-4 in conference play over the last five years.

Head coach Aaron Kunz said he likes the makeup of his team heading into the season.

"Early sense of the team is these guys really love playing football," Kunz said. "They're an intense, kind of relentless group."

Williamsville returns a large group of experienced players, which Kunz said is helping the team hit the ground running.

"There's no question that experience is important on how fast the process evolves," Kunz said.

Senior center Nathan Crouch added that the returning seniors and younger players stepping up have made early practices productive.

"Everyone's focused and installs haven't taken a long time," Crouch said. "Having some of the younger guys step up along with the returning seniors is amazing."

Kunz said his focus is on consistency and a week-by-week approach.

"There's no question that kids are always circling certain teams, no doubt about it," Kunz said. "But we push kids to be 1-0 against ourselves. We have to win the battle against ourselves each day."

Senior inside linebacker Jack Ford echoed that mindset, while acknowledging coming up short is fuel for the upcoming season.

"The last couple of years, we've had a great team," Ford said. "The south has just been really strong, the whole state has had a lot of really strong teams in the playoffs. So, that puts a chip on our shoulder that we want to be that team that this year is that top team that goes into the playoffs and we get to be that titan this year."

Williamsville opens its season Aug. 21 against Pleasant Plains.