Freshman football numbers already on the rise thanks to splitting Chesterton Middle School into Westchester and Liberty

Tom Keegan
Onwardtrojans.com

When Chesterton split into two middle schools, Westchester and Liberty, starting with the 2024-25 school year, that created twice the opportunities for playing time and starting assignments for athletes, which in turn should eventually result in better participation numbers at the high school.
Having twice as many players gaining game experience not only helps to develop players, but it also curtails the number of athletes who leave the sport, in some cases right before a big growth spurt.
Chesterton varsity football coach Mark Peterson said he has seen the benefits of the split already.
“We’re at 42 (players out for football) on the freshman squad,” Peterson said. “Shortly before When I got the job, our freshman numbers had gone from in the 40 window and then down to the low 30s and the 20s with just one middle school. I’m ecstatic about the volume of kids we have playing right now because of the two middle schools.”
Peterson said roughly 60% of the freshman football players attended Liberty and the rest Westchester.
“We’re feeling really positive,” he said. “I think our freshman squad is solid, really, really solid. I’m excited to watch.”
The freshman team opens its season today at home vs. Hobart, a 6 p.m. kickoff.