Lenox’s Peterson on Eight-Man first team

CNA photo by KURT RITZMAN Open field: Lenox running back Tyler Peterson runs downfield during the TigersÕ 34-32 victory over Armstrong-Ringsted in the state championship game.

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Eight area players earned all-state honors this year on the Iowa Newspaper Association All-State Football Teams. Six of those players come from the rich quality of Eight-Man football in the region, three from state champion Lenox and two from quarterfinalist East Union, whose season ended in a 32-6 defeat at Lenox. Also selected was Murray’s two-time all-state running back Caleb Byers. The other two selections are from Class 1A playoff qualifier Mount Ayr, ousted in the second postseason game by state semifinalist Prairie Valley of Gowrie (see related story). Three teams in each classification were selected Sunday by a panel of Iowa sportswriters, with assistance from members of the Iowa Football Coaches Association. With state champion Lenox posting the state’s best Eight-Man defensive average of 12.7 points allowed per game, it’s fitting that the all three Tigers named to all-state teams played a role on defense, as well as offense. First-teamer Tyler Peterson, one of the top overall players in Iowa’s Eight-Man game as a running back, defensive back, punter and kick returner, was named to the INA’s first all-state team defense in the secondary. Peterson was a ball-hawking defender with seven pass interceptions for 85 yards in returns in 14 games and two fumble returns for touchdowns. He made 82 total tackles, and 41 were solo stops. On offense, Peterson rushed for 1,823 yards in 278 attempts with 31 touchdowns. He also caught 23 passes for 345 yards and two TDs. He added five touchdowns on returns of punts and kickoffs. Peterson also averaged 35.3 yards on 28 punts. Peterson was a candidate for captain of the Eight-Man all-state team, but the honor went to Armstrong-Ringsted quarterback Ridge Christiansen, who rushed for 1,785 yards and 29 touchdowns while throwing for another 896 yards and 18 TDs. Lenox sophomore lineman Lucas Dalton was named to the second-team defensive line, and senior linebacker Ben Borland was selected on the third team. Dalton, moving between down lineman and linebacker, compiled 118 tackles for the season, including 15 for losses. He was also a primary blocker at center for a rushing attack that amassed 2,994 yards this season. Borland also played in that offensive line while finishing second behind Dalton on the team in tackles with 116, four for losses. He also had the most memorable blocked field goal in Lenox team history, preserving Friday’s 34-32 championship victory with 46 seconds remaining. District 6 backs The Eight-Man second team offensive backfield includes two backs from District 6 in addition to Peterson, with a third back named to the third unit. The second team includes East Union senior Craig Ditzler, a bruising 200-pound senior with deceptive speed who ranked third in the state in Eight-Man in rushing with 1,866 yards and 27 touchdowns. He added another receiving touchdown with 118 yards on nine catches. Ditzler also led the team in tackles (124) and was named the district defensive player of the year. He holds season and career (4,185) rushing records at East Union, despite missing five games with injuries his sophomore and junior seasons. A repeat selection as a second-team back is Byers, the Murray standout who followed last year’s 1,700-yard season with a 1,600-yard season as a senior with 26 touchdowns. He finished his career as the sixth all-time leading rusher in Eight-Man football in Iowa with 3,524 yards. He also ranked second on his team with 74 tackles. The other District 6 running back honored by the INA is Lamoni’s Brandon Bell on the third team. The 150-pound senior had 1,571 yards and 20 touchdowns. Just missing recognition was yet another District 6 back, Cale Moore of Mormon Trail with 1,302 yards. Eagle lineman Also on the third team offense is East Union junior lineman Kody Kile. He was the leading blocker as right guard on an offense that rushed for 3,423 yards. On defense he had 71 tackles (56 solo), named his team’s most valuable defensive player. Quarterback Alex Pettit and defensive back Jon Gilliam were other Eagles nominated for INA awards. Connor Lange of Lenox was a nominee at defensive end with 70 tackles, including 17 for losses and four fumble recoveries. —————— Larry Peterson can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 232 or lpeterson@crestonnews.com