​ST. JOHNS — Here is quick reaction from Mason football taking control of the CAAC Red race with a 21-9 win over St. Johns. Player of the gameTROY PETERS, MASON: The junior had an all-around performance while vaulting the Bulldogs to the key CAAC Red win. He had 13 tackles and three interceptions and rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown run came in the final minute to help Mason secure its win. He also added an interception in the final minute following his TD.Key momentClinging to a 14-9 in the fourth quarter, Mason faced a third-and-long while backed up inside its own 10-yard line. Peters helped the Bulldogs extend the drive by using his legs before dumping the ball off to help Mason get the first down. That provided the momentum for a drive where the Bulldogs ate clock before capping things with a TD run by Peters. What it meansFriday’s victory gives Mason an inside track at its seventh league championship in eight years. The Bulldogs remained unbeaten with the win and are the only team in the CAAC Red without a league loss. Mason (5-0, 3-0) closes league play with games against Fowlerville and Williamston. St. Johns (3-2, 2-1) had its three-game winning streak halted and needs to win out and get help in order to capture its first league title since 2018.  The Redwings conclude league play with games against Haslett and Fowlerville.  Michigan Sidelines: Subscribe to our new statewide high school sports newsletterQuotable”The performance tonight just shows how gritty we are. It was a big one for me and all our team.  Our left tackle went down with a knee injury.  He’ll be back, but that’s also very hard. Just to come out here and just grind it out means a lot for our team moving forward.” — Mason’s Troy Peters Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Four downs from Mason football’s tight win over St. Johns