As good as Peotone’s season-opening win on Aug. 20 at Eisenhower was, the Blue Devils know they must keep getting better as the year continues.
Peotone amassed 314 yards on the ground in its wing-T attack in a dominating 28-6 win over Eisenhower, highlighted by 191 yards and three touchdowns by senior Eli Chenoweth.
Chenoweth gave all the glory to his offensive line.
“All five of them up front, working their (butt) off for us every single play,” he said. “Can’t appreciate them any more than that. I’m only able to make those yards because of linemen.”
Peotone coach Tolly Tsiamas was happy with how the offense ran the ball and the overall work by the defense, adding the team needs to build on the win.
“I think the biggest message to the kids now is that’s something we struggled with last year,” he said. “We didn’t get better from Week 1, and each week after that. This feels good tonight, but we’ve got to improve next week.”
The Blue Devils travel to Marengo in Week 2 to face a team they lost to 41-21 last season.
“They got us last year,” Tsiamos said. “We’ve got a lot of kids back from that team. They should be extremely motivated for it.”
For now, the Blue Devils can celebrate the big win with the hopes of improving on last season’s 3-6 mark.
“It’s not the season we wanted last year, but you know, it can only go up from here,” Chenoweth said. “We just make the plays. Focus on the game we’re in. Restarting one and zero every week.”
Chenoweth scored on short runs of 2 and 1 yard and Alex Chenoweth, Eli’s cousin, tossed a 12-yard scoring pass to Declan McMaster as the Blue Devils built a 21-0 halftime lead. Eli Chenoweth added a 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter.
Nick Cronin added 81 yards rushing, and McMaster totaled 46 yards on seven attempts as Peotone rushed for 314 yards.
“That’s the foundation for us. We’re going to run the football,” Tsiamas said. “I think we threw two passes. One should have been completed for a touchdown. The other one he did complete for a touchdown. And that’s just how we go, run the football.”
Alex Chenoweth completed 1 of 2 passes for 12 yards and the score. He said his cousin is a “dog.”
“He’s hard to tackle, and for how big he is, he moves quick,” he said. “He’s a hell of a runner.”
Peotone allowed 235 yards on defense with 166 coming on the ground. Alex Chenoweth said the offense is the key to the team’s success.
“Eeveryone knows when they play Peotone what to expect,” he said.” But we out-physical people, we outwork people, we outcondition people, and that leads to a lot of our success. When we’re still standing in the fourth quarter, and you see them with their hands on their hips or down … you know you got them. This is our game.”