Peter Popp’s path to being a local football star has been a bit unorthodox, but Sandwich’s workout warrior has found his way.
It’s fitting, actually.
As a junior last season, his success story was similar to the one the Indians authored in going from a program that didn’t field a varsity team due to a lack of numbers one year to reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs the next.
“I don’t think we expected it, but what happened the year before may have been a big motivator for us,” said Popp, who managed to play a part in the postseason after being sidelined for the bulk of the regular season with a hamstring injury.
“We didn’t want to come back and be a team everyone laughed at. Our coaches that summer were in constant motion. I feel our 2025 class is a group that’s very athletic, dedicated and focused, and that’s why we shined last year.”
It was a pretty magical run in 2023 that ended with an 8-4 record for Sandwich, which comes in at No. 10 in The Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings.
The 6-foot, 200-pound Popp, a team co-captain, will start at defensive end and right guard and likely play a big role if he and his teammates are going to build upon last year’s success.
“Peter ended up playing only three or four games last year but led the team in sacks,” Sandwich coach Kris Cassie said. “Pound for pound, he’s probably the strongest player in the program. He’s an absolute demon when it comes to lifting, and he’s had a fantastic summer.
“He has one of the best work ethics I’ve seen in 24-plus years coaching here.”
Considering his start, Popp’s story is pretty remarkable.
He played one season of youth football — in first grade — and didn’t return to the sport until his sophomore year, when Sandwich’s varsity was on hiatus.
Popp didn’t play his freshman year and “was quite out of shape” when he began lifting weights with a friend.
“I thought I got into decent shape and came out for football sophomore year but knew absolutely nothing about the sport,” he said.
A quick study, Popp played on both lines for the sophomore team, which received the attention of the varsity staff, and he continued to progress and impress. Sandwich finished 8-1 that fall.
Set to have an impact last season, Popp blew out his hamstring lifting weights in his physical education class two days before the season opener.
He hobbled through that game, playing only on offense, but was sidelined the rest of the regular season.
“You can see on the film I was limping pretty bad,” Popp said.
Heat, ultrasound and building the strength back by lifting light weights is the process Popp used to come back.
By the time the Sandwich secured a playoff berth in Week 9, Popp wasn’t at 100%, but he was ready to return and contribute.
Playing only on defense, he contributed five sacks in three postseason games.
“I didn’t want to lose my whole junior season,” he said. “It hurt, but I was able to function.”
Popp followed up in the spring in track, where he throws the shot put and discus, qualifying for the Class 2A state meet in the shot put.
Cassie had Popp speak to eighth graders this year, hoping to motivate them to play the sport as well. The physicality and focus on each week’s game are what Popp loves about football.
“It’s unlike any other sport, I feel,” he said. “Having the whole crowd watching you and cheering you on when your team is on the field on a Friday night, there’s nothing like it.
“The fact there’s fewer games makes it a lot more special. It’s electric. I don’t know how to describe it. You just have to play.”
Team: Sandwich.
2023 record: 8-4.
Offensive leaders: Brady Behringer, junior, quarterback; Simeion Harris, senior, running back; Jackson Heilemeier, senior, offensive lineman; Quinn Rome, senior, offensive lineman.
Defensive leaders: Jeffrey Ashley, junior, linebacker; Devon Blanchard, senior, linebacker; Tate Frieders, senior, defensive lineman; Nick Michalek, junior, linebacker.
X-factor: Peter Popp, senior, defensive lineman/offensive lineman.
