Chesterton’s late mistakes lead to loss

Updated: August 19, 2011 10:37PM

Chesterton’s young football team learned Friday night that it could play with one of the best teams in the state. Next, the Trojans must learn how to close.

After building a two-touchdown lead against host Class 3A No. 6 South Bend St. Joseph’s, a season-opening victory slipped away from Chesterton. St. Joe’s Alec Fullenkamp booted a game-winning 20-yard field goal with 11 seconds left to lift the Indians, last year’s 3A state runners-up, to a 30-28 win.

With just one starter back on defense, Chesterton coach John Snyder knew his youthful team was learning on the fly, but the mistakes that were made in the fourth quarter as St. Joe scored 16 straight points did not sit well with him.

“Actually, the mistakes that we made tonight were not by the youth,” Snyder said. “And that’s what really bothers me.”

Joe Troop rushed for 148 yards and two long second-half touchdowns of 53 and 54 yards that gave Chesterton its 14-point lead.

St. Joe answered immediately with a six-play drive capped by a 15-yard David Arsenault scoring run with 8:48 to play.

The Trojans went three-and-out on their next drive and punted. St. Joe appeared to tie the game with 4:38 to go on Ray Kowalski’s 56-yard touchdown sprint, but Fullenkamp’s kick was blocked, keeping Chesterton in the lead, 28-27.

Looking to run out the clock, the Trojans converted a fourth down in its own territory, but a key personal foul penalty stalled a promising drive, forcing another punt. St. Joe’s Patrick Klima returned that kick 33 yards to the Chesterton 40, quarterback Nick Carmola hit tight end Connor Edmonds with a 20-yard pass and the Indians eventually got it down to the 2 yard line with 11 seconds left, setting up Fullenkamp’s winning kick.

“We had a chance to put this team away, up two touchdowns,” Snyder said. “Whether it was offense or defense, we didn’t step up. There was no change, there was no emotion, there was no sideline. Where’s the leadership come from? You’re up two touchdowns, you should be excited. Neither unit was able to put it away because of mistakes.”

Chesterton quarterback Chris Katsafaros finished with 103 yards on the ground and both first half Trojan touchdowns.

Arsenault paced St. Joe with 155 yards rushing and three scores and Carmola threw for 180 yards.

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