"There is no way we would have had the kind of success we had if it weren't for him," Blaine coach Shannon Gerrety said. "He carried us."

Peterson, a 6-foot-3, 202-pound playmaker with a lumbering running style and cannon arm, led the Bengals on a magical journey this season that included upset victories over Eden Prairie and Cretin-Derham Hall en route to a runner-up finish to Wayzata in Class AAAAA.

For his leadership and playmaking heroics, Peterson was selected the Pioneer Press' Football player of the year.

DEALING WITH FAME

In the wake of the Bengals' eight-game winning streak entering the Class AAAAA final, Peterson suddenly had to deal with fame. "People started noticing me and the Football team," he said. "I've had kids come up to me in the hallway and ask, 'Are you the starting quarterback?' When I tell them, 'Yes I am,' they would say, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe I am actually talking to you.' I was that same kind of little kid that would have been in awe. I'd like the kids to know that I am honored that they came up to me. If it makes their day, I am glad I could play a part in that. I want to be remembered for being nice."

PLAYING IN PAIN

Few outside the Blaine Football program knew that Peterson played much of the season with a separated right shoulder. He suffered the injury in Week 3 after getting hit by Coon Rapids linebacker Joe Novak. "I was almost in tears because of the pain and the thought that my prep career is over," Peterson said. "The adrenaline helped me get through it." Said Gerrety: "James is a warrior."

TOOLS OF HIS TRADE

EYES: Peterson's vision to survey the field allowed him to make uncanny plays at critical times. He scrambled to make plays against Andover in the section semifinals and against Eden Prairie in the state quarterfinals. Had he bailed out on any of those plays, the Bengals' season would have ended a month sooner.

ARM: Peterson admits he had troubles overthrowing receivers early in the season when he was getting familiar with Blaine's new spread offense. Ten of his 11 interceptions came in Blaine's first four games, including four in a 21-7 loss to Champlin Park in Week 4. He didn't throw an interception in the postseason until the Prep Bowl when Wayzata picked him off twice.

LEGS: He rushed for 948 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. "I don't look real pretty when I run, but I have strong legs, and I need to keep them pumping," he said.

LEADERSHIP: After thrilling victories that typified Blaine's late-season run, Peterson deflected praise and spread the wealth with his teammates. "I really liked seeing my teammates get excited; I enjoyed seeing them bust out. But part of my responsibility as a leader is to stay cool, be humble and to keep things in perspective. I tried not to show too much emotion, good or bad."

ATTITUDE: While he acknowledges he accounted for more than 3,500 yards of offense and 37 touchdowns, Peterson said he could have done more. "I threw 11 interceptions early in the season. First of all, that hurt the team. How many more yards could I have had to help the team if I hadn't thrown the picks? I always feel like there is more that I can do to help."

6

School passing records set this season

18

Rushing touchdowns

19

Passing touchdowns

22

Punts inside opponents' 20-yard line

35.7

Punting average

51

Longest run of the season

86

Longest pass completion of the season

438

Season-high passing yards in Week 2

948

Rushing yards

2,628

Passing yards

THE JAMES PETERSON FILE

Age: 17

School: Blaine

Year: Senior

Family: Mom, Tara Arel

GPA: 3.75

Favorite subjects: Social studies, history, geography

Hobbies, interests: Video games, backyard Football

College choice: Undecided. Considering Concordia-St. Paul, St. Cloud State and Augustana

Legacy: "I want people to remember me as someone that wasn't the most athletic guy, but someone that gave it his all on every play, was a huge competitor and did everything in his power to help the team win."