Lower Columbia College Red Devils

Peterson was an All-State lineman for the LCC football squad who played undefeated Olympic in the 1951 WSJCAA championship game.  Peterson was impressive on the field, in fact after a game with the Fort Lawton Army team, former Detroit Lion Vince Banonos called Marlen the best player on the field.  Peterson went on to coach hundreds of youth sports teams in the Longview area.