Peterson leads Crown Point to rout

Updated: October 8, 2011 3:34PM

CHESTERTON — Given the outcome — a 28-6 Crown Point win over Chesterton — surrounding Friday night’s game, one would surely assume that Bulldogs sophomore Tristan Peterson was stoked about his running attack.

Or that it at least was exciting to avenge the much different 45-20 drubbing that the Bulldogs received at their homecoming game in 2010, the last meeting between the two teams.

Or even Peterson’s new role in the leading running back slot after senior Jake Lindeman went down with an injury two weeks back.

Surely a team-best 143 yards of rushing on Friday triggered some excitement. Right? 

Well sort of, but Peterson remains pretty nonchalant. 

“No game plan at all, just block and tackle,” he said off the offense. “Basic. And just move it down (field).”

Don’t let any of this fool you, though. The numbers show the emergence of quite the budding running back.

In a game dictated by rushing for both Duneland squads, Peterson didn’t just help move the chains. While Crown Point’s defense limited Chesterton to a miniscule 60 yards of first-half offense, he ran away with 108 yards and scored on plays of 5 and 21 yards. On the latter TD drive he ran each of the five plays and compiled 65 yards. Not to mention, following a Chesterton’s fumble on the 24-yard-line, Peterson’s contributions helped set up an easy 6-yard keeper by QB Joe Hopman. 

Just like that, Bulldogs dug a gaping 21-0 hole for the Trojans.

In a shotgun offense, CP coach Chip Pettit likes having multiple options. But he still pointed to Peterson.

“I thought that both Joe (Hopman, 47 yards rushing and the Dogs’ final TD on a 24-yard pass) and Tristan did a nice job ball handling,” Pettit said. “Quite honest, I think Tristan got hot and he started to feel it early.”

The Trojans are reeling over three significant injuries — QB Chris Katsafaros, receiver Jacob Andrews, and lineman Ryley Harlow. Plus the emotional blow surrounding the death of former player Jim Butz in Afghanistan. 

“I feel we were very flat, I think a lot of it has to do with emotional dealing with what happened to Jim,” said Trojans coach John Snyder. “It should not be an excuse, though.”

Chesterton’s second half offense showed vast improvement. With 5:40 remaining in the third sophomore QB Cole Teal capped a 40 yard drive with a 1-yard run.

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