Peterson brothers power Lowellville to ICL crown

Andy and Jeff Peterson teamed for 340 rushing yards and four TDs.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MCDONALD -- Not even the inclement weather and a McDonald High field that was a sea of mud could stop the Lowellville Rockets and their amazing running duo of brothers, Andy and Jeff Peterson.
The Petersons combined for 340 yards rushing and four touchdowns Friday to lead Lowellville to a 35-0 victory over McDonald that clinched the Inter-County League title outright.
"There is no question about it, this is the best team in our league and the best team we played this season," McDonald coach Dan Williams said of the Rockets. "On both sides of the football they are a devastating unit."
Petersons' totals
Senior tailback Andy Peterson ran for 193 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns, along with a pair of conversion runs. Junior Jeff Peterson added 147 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns for Lowellville.
"A key to our offensive play was our intensity and wanting this win," Jeff Peterson said.
Andy Peterson added, "The guys up front kept opening holes all night long."
The Rockets (10-0, 7-0), fifth in the Division VI Associated Press poll and second in the Region 21 computer ratings, clinched a home playoff game next weekend.
"It was our third game of the season with Brookfield that made the kids really believe in themselves," said Lowellville coach John Protopapa, referring to the Rockets' 28-0 shutout.
Ended long drought
An amazing aspect of Friday's victory for Lowellville: The Rockets had not won at McDonald since 1963.
"We had an unbelievable defensive effort against a very good running team," Protopapa said. "We had great running by both of the Peterson boys on a night certainly not conducive to what they achieved."
The Rockets, who had 18 first downs with 414 yards, all on the ground, held the Blue Devils (3-7, 2-5) to no first downs and minus yardage.
Dustin Socie, a junior middle linebacker, topped that effort with 13 total tackles, including six solo hits for Lowellville.
"We were really pumped up for this one, and the hype was extra after having not won here in such a long time," Socie said. "Every hit was a big one."