MAN THE CONTROLS
Amherst-bound Peterson catalyst for success at North Attleboro
NORTH ATTLEBORO — Two years ago, North Attleboro coach Don Johnson made a decision that is still paying dividends today.
Johnson and his coaching staff elected to make then-sophomore Chad Peterson the starting quarterback.
Peterson has been the Red Rocketeers’ signal caller ever since, and the three-year starter has flourished at the position while leading North Attleboro to three straight division titles.
“He had the physical skills, he had a decent arm, but I think it was his emotional maturity,” recalled Johnson. “A lot of kids as sophomores are just not ready to take over a program and play in the big games that we play all the time. He had a level of maturity that’s rare for a sophomore, so he was able to do it.”
Even with no varsity experience under his belt, Peterson beat out two upperclassmen in training camp to earn the starting quarterback job prior to the 2015 season.
Peterson was excited to take the reins of North Attleboro’s offense, and with only a few blemishes, he turned in a successful sophomore campaign by throwing for 1,257 yards and 13 touchdowns while also setting the program record for completions in a season.
Peterson continued to reward the Red Rocketeers in his junior campaign. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback elevated his play by com- pleting 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns.
“He’s got that great touch (for) the screen game and (can) throw over pressure, but then he can step up and throw the deep ball,” Johnson said. “He can throw on the run just as well as set up in the pocket and throw over the middle. He’s got a complete package.”
Peterson entered this season with the answers to the test and has led No. 11 North Attleboro to a 5-1 start and the Hockomock League Davenport title. “Being a three-year starter, I know what everybody is supposed to be doing on every single play,” Peterson said. “It allows me to keep the guys in check if people are unsure. Going into big games, I feel like I’ve already played in enough big games to where during the game I’m just locked into what I’m supposed to do.” Last week was a high note in Peterson’s regular season. On Wednesday, he ensured his football career would continue when he committed to Amherst College. Two days later, he rushed for three touchdowns in a 3521 win over Stoughton to secure North Attleboro’s third straight divisional crown.
“Definitely relieved getting done with the whole recruiting process and finding out what I’m going to do for the next four years,” said Peterson, who has thrown seven touchdowns and rushed for four this season. “Then Friday night, we all knew what the game meant to us. It was a really good feeling coming off the field with a W.”
Leading the charge on a third consecutive divisional title encapsulated what Peterson has meant to the North Attleboro program since taking over as the starting quarterback.
He isn’t concerned about individual success. Instead, all Peterson wants to do is win and then do it again.
“He gets that. Some kids will never understand that,” Johnson said. “He gets the bigger picture of all that stuff and isn’t a guy who’s just chasing the stats.”