Clarion Athletics

An All-America strong safety who poured his heart and soul into every play, John Peterman was a defensive back and special teams player for the Golden Eagles from 1985-88. Playing for Hall of Fame coach Gene Sobolewski, Peterman had his top season as a senior in 1988. He led the team with 136 total tackles, including a team leading 63 solo and 73 assisted tackles. At that time 136 tackles was the third best single season total in Clarion history. He also posted 3 fumbles caused, 3 fumble recoveries, broke up 2 passes and 1 qb sack. Top game was an unbelievable 25 tackles versus Shippensburg. In 1988 he was named Associated Press Second Team All-American, plus First Team PSAC-West and All-District. In 1987 the Golden Eagles were 7-3 overall and 5-1 in the PSAC-West. Peterman totaled 74 tackles (30 solo, 44 assists), 6 pass break ups, 2 interceptions and recovered 1 fumble. He returned 28 punts for 183 yards. John earned 1^st team PSAC-West honors and was PSAC Defensive “Player of the Week” vs SRU with 17 tackles. As a sophomore in 1986 Peterman registered 49 tackles (31 solo) in his first year as a starter at strong safety. He contributed 7 pass break ups, and 1 fumble recovery, while returning 18 punts for 134 yards and 10 kickoffs for 155 yards. He returned a punt 56 yards for a td in a 14-0 season opening win vs Fairmont State. John lettered on “D” and special teams in 1985 on a team that finished 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the West. Peterman totaled 265 career tackles (126 solo, 139 assisted). His 265 lifetime stops were 6^th at Clarion when he graduated, while 126 solos ranked 5^th and 139 assists tied for 8^th. He had 15 pass break-ups, 5 fumbles recovered, 4 interceptions, 3 fumbles caused and 1 sack. John returned 46 punts for 317 yards and 1 td and 10 kickoffs for 155 yards. A 1990 Clarion grad in Education, John retired in 2025 after serving 8 years as A.D. at Kiski Area. The 1985 Penn Hills grad was head coach at Leechburg from 1992-95 – left coaching – then came back as assistant at Franklin Regional (2005-06), A.D. at Penn Hills (2007-2017), and head football coach at Penn Hills from 2012-2016. John and wife Gloria (Clarion ’88) have a daughter Regina (Clarion 2010) and reside in Leechburg.