The CHS Football program came out on top in a dog fight against Michigan City on Friday November 1. After the game went into overtime, Chesterton capitalized on offense and made an amazing stand on defense to win 28-21. Earlier in the season, Chesterton lost to the Wolves 20-0, and has been making huge strides since that game, evident by the difference in scores. Chesterton Senior quarterback CJ Perez picked up his first postseason victory, and in dramatic fashion. Perez had one of his best performances yet, and just in time since junior tailback Andrew Goveia was out with an injury.

The offense made their mark in the first half with some of their best play of the season. The first drive ended with Perez sending air mail to a favorite target of his, junior Louis Raffin. Raffin came back from a broken collar bone and was playing in his second game of the season, but looked like a seasoned varsity player. Raffin would continue to make big plays during the night, gaining 105 receiving yards. In the backfield, senior safety Chase Staubus filled in for the injured tailback, and made great plays on offense. Staubus has played as a solid safety for the Trojans, but can fill in on offense and special teams wherever he is needed. The Chesterton offense, led by the new additions, had one major mistake in the first half. Chesterton would faltar on a fourth down, give up the ball on a fumble, and the Wolves picked it up and brought it to the house for six, seven with the extra point. Chesterton then drove down, and immediately responded to the Wolves scoring play. Staubus found an open hole, courtesy of the Chesterton offensive line, and sprinted downfield for a rushing touchdown.

Staubus’ score put the Trojans ahead 14-7, but the half still had plenty of action. Michigan City would drive down and score near the end of the half to tie the game back up. However, with less than one and a half minutes, the Trojans were able to score. Perez led the Trojans down the field with efficiency, throwing balls to Louis Raffin, who caught some and drew penalties on others. The flags contributed to the Trojans clock management. On the goal line, Perez ended up scrambling and finding his way into the end zone, capping one of his best drives as quarterback. The Trojans entered halftime with a seven point lead, 21-14.

The scoreboard stood still for the entire third quarter. Both defenses would stump the other offense. At one point, the CHS offense gave the ball to MCHS with good field position, but the defense stopped them on the Chesterton 28 yard line. The Wolves went for it on fourth down, but threw an incomplete pass. On the ensuing drive, Chesterton was able to bleed a large chunk of the clock, taking the game into the fourth quarter. However, Chesterton got stuffed and was forced to kick a long field goal. The kick would have given Chesterton a ten point lead, but the ball doinked off the crossbar, coming up short and giving the ball back to the Wolves with enough time for another drive. The Chesterton defense proceeded to stuff the Wolves several more times, but Michigan City continued to find a way out, converting on fourth down at one point in the drive. Michigan City scored to tie the game with less than half a minute remaining. Chesterton had one play left but could not score, taking the game to overtime.

Chesterton started out on offense first. On second down, Staubus ran through the line, spun past one defender, and got tackled on the goal line, putting them in perfect scoring position. The offense would run a wedge, and Perez would cross the goal line, giving the Trojans the seven point advantage. Now the game was in the hands of the defense. The MC offense would try picking on senior corner Jude Palm by throwing an endzone fade on the first play, but MC couldn’t get the catch on Palm. On second down, they tried to target the middle of the endzone, but the Chesterton defense had it covered. The next play, the Wolves targeted Palm with a fade once again, but came out empty handed for the second time. Now, the Wolves needed to score on the last down, or else the Trojans would take the victory. The MC quarterback took a three step drop, looked left, and was immediately met by Chesterton senior defensive linemen Owen Edlen. Edlen was the only rusher on the right side of the line, but was still able to reach the quarterback. Edlen knocked the ball out, and senior defensive end Peyton Chlebowski fell on it to end the game. Chesterton 28 Michigan City 21.

Chesterton moves on and will play Valparaiso in an away game Friday November 8. The Trojans are looking to make history by winning the first sectional title in school history. The Trojans have had their last two playoff campaigns ended by the Vikings, and lost in an overtime game 22-21 earlier this season. The seniors get their last chance to finally beat the team down south, and with more on the line than ever before. Perez and the Trojans have shown that they can play at Valparaiso’s level, it is only a matter of execution, and finishing the job this time.