BALLENTINES’ DAY
Former Crown Point ball boys, brothers Steve and Robby had Andrean’s first-ever game against Bulldogs circled
Andrean’s game at Crown Point on Friday night was near and dear to Scott Ballentine’s heart.
And the 59ers’ sophomore quarterback delivered a worthy performance.
Ballentine completed 17 of 28 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns as Andrean topped the Bulldogs 21-7 in the first meeting between the programs.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, and it’s been close to home,” Ballentine said. “As a young kid, I was a ball boy for the Crown Point Bulldogs. I would’ve loved to have played there. When I was a kid, I dreamed of it.
“Then there was a big turn, and I decided to choose Andrean. When I figured out we were playing them, it’s been circled on my calendar since that day. We came out, we executed and we won.
“It was a dream come true.” Ballentine completed his first seven passes against Crown Point (1-1), including a 42-yard TD on a swing pass to Alonzo Paul on his sixth throw. In the second quarter, he connected over the top for an 86-yard TD to Patrick Clacks.
Older brother Robby Ballentine, a senior wide receiver, caught seven passes for 70 yards and added an interception for Andrean (1-1).
Jacob Jones had five catches for 26 yards. Billy Jones had a 9-yard TD run to give Andrean a 21-0 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Robby Ballentine also was a ball boy for Crown Point and said he had the matchup circled on his calendar too. He praised his younger brother’s play.
“It’s incredible,” Robby Ballentine said. “I wouldn’t want anyone else to be out here with me. He’s always been my best friend. We do everything together. There’s nobody like him.”
Scott Ballentine has flourished in his first two starts. He completed 30 of 42 passes for 254 yards with two TDs and two interceptions in a loss at Merrillville in the season opener.
“I’ve played since fifth grade,” he said. “I started in CP Junior Bulldogs. You have to be a leader and stay composed.
“If I’m nervous, they’re going to be nervous following me. Stay calm, stay composed, and the team will play with me.”
Andrean held a shutout until Crown Point, which had its senior night and distributed rings at halftime to its Class 4A state championship girls basketball team, scored with 21 seconds left. JJ Johnson hit Elijah Tiawhan for a 15-yard TD.
Tiawhan ran for 135 yards on 18 carries. Johnson threw for 136 yards.
Andrean coach Chris Skinner described the game as “what high school football is all about.” It had broader significance given its historic nature.
“This game was two decades past due,” Skinner said. “These two communities are proud communities. I have a lot of respect for their athletics program.
“But there are so many kids from Crown Point that come to Andrean in all sports. The fact football has never been played between these two schools, there’s been a lot of chatter over the decades.
“You would not believe how many alumni sent me texts or emails, just people I never even talked to or met, grew up in Crown Point and went to Andrean, just wished us good luck and how much it meant. We told the kids that. It’s pretty hard for them to understand, but this game meant a lot for the Andrean community. … It was a big game.”