Trojans Break Down Brickies
August 23, 2021
Before the season opening game against former DAC foe, the Hobart Brickies, Chestertons Coach Mark Peterson told the Sandscript, “We are excited to open up our season against a high caliber team! We are ready for the challenge that they will impose!” Well, coach was right, as Hobart did indeed impose a challenge against the Trojans, but with a score of 20-14, the Trojans came out on top last Friday evening.
As is tradition, the Trojans ran out of the tunnel waving their flag proudly before the game’s start. However, both offenses had a bit of first game rustiness, as neither Hobart nor Chesterton could find the endzone in the opening quarter. With the score tied at zero, the Chesterton offense needed some big plays in the second quarter.
It wasn’t too much longer before the big play came. Chesterton quarterback Chris Mullen was forced out of the pocket, and threw on the run to fellow senior Jackson Westmoreland, who ran the rest of the way for the first touchdown of the game! The 37 yard score was the first in what hopes to be many for the senior wide receiver.
“It [being a senior leader on the field] felt great and I’m excited for the season!” Westmoreland said.
The Trojans defense stood stout throughout the first half, led by senior Gage Demarco, who would finish with 7 tackles in the game. By the time the first half came to a close, the Trojans led 6-0, while Hobart mustered just over 100 offensive yards. After the second half began, it was Mullen again being flushed out of the pocket, when he caught Bryce Thoma open, rifled the ball in there, allowing Thoma to run 70 yards down field for the touchdown.
“It went so well, I was happy with it. When the coaches put me in, they always put me in at the right time! My guy Chris makes it easy,” Thoma said after the game.
Towards the end of the third, Mullen checked down to running back Luke Stento, who broke a tackle and scooted 17 yards for the third Trojan touchdown of the game, giving CHS the lead, 20- 0. Stento, who’s in his final season as a Trojan, will be honored by the program with the rest of his fellow seniors this coming Friday, August 28, for Chesterton High School’s annual Senior Night football game.
Hobart refused to go quietly on Friday night, and scored two touchdowns of their own, and were able to tack on the extra point both times, bringing the score to 20-14 late in the game. The Trojans defense held off two Hobart drives in the final 6 minutes of the game to seal the deal. Chesterton was led offensively by Mullen, who completed 17 out of 22 passes for three touchdowns and 233 yards, while also contributing 46 yards on the ground. Thoma led the receivers with 3 catches for 90 yards and a score. After the game Mullen is already looking towards week two stating, “We had a great game to build off of!”
Chesterton High School Starters
Chesterton Offence: Chesterton Defense:
#13: Tyler Peterson #6:Dane Snemis
#59: Jude Mocken #90: Jordan Hughes
#79: Jorge Oriz #62: Connor Shudick
#76: Jon Casey #59: Isaiah Fowler
#69: Marcellus Maddox #50: Michael Buckland
#59: Nolan Murphy #12: Ethan Troy
#10: Garrett Lewis #52: Gage DeMarco
#8: Levi Wheeling #53: Matt McCracken
#12: Ethan Troy #11: Josh Lemon
#81: Jackson Westmoreland #17: Evan Dickinson
#7: Chris Mullen #29: Brant Westphal
Chesterton High School Coaches:
Head Coach: Mark Peterson
Varsity: John Snyder
Assistants:
Nick Bamber
Luke Eliser
Todd Basich
Colton Tuzinski
Bill Warren
Kenny Floyd
Bryce Pickering
Vern VanNostran
